Description
Looking for the ultimate show-stopping dessert that’s both indulgent and nostalgic? This Italian Cream Cake is a classic Southern treat featuring moist, fluffy layers packed with toasted pecans and coconut, then slathered with rich cream cheese frosting. Whether you’re on the hunt for easy dessert ideas, a special birthday cake, or a quick make-ahead recipe for gatherings, this layered beauty checks all the boxes. Perfect for holidays, potlucks, or Sunday dinners, it’s a crowd-pleasing cake recipe that brings flavor, texture, and elegance to any table.
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
2 cups granulated sugar
5 large eggs, separated
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
1 cup chopped pecans, toasted
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans, for garnish
1/2 cup toasted shredded coconut, for garnish
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease three 9-inch round cake pans, line bottoms with parchment paper, and flour them lightly.
2. Sift together flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.
3. In a stand mixer, cream butter and shortening until fluffy. Add sugar and beat until light.
4. Add egg yolks one at a time, beating well after each. Stir in vanilla extract.
5. Alternate adding flour mixture and buttermilk, starting and ending with flour. Mix just until combined.
6. Fold in shredded coconut and toasted pecans gently with a spatula.
7. Beat egg whites in a separate bowl to stiff peaks. Fold into the batter in thirds.
8. Divide batter evenly into pans and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
9. Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.
10. For frosting: beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add vanilla, then gradually mix in powdered sugar until fluffy.
11. Assemble cake by frosting each layer, then covering the sides and top.
12. Garnish with extra pecans and toasted coconut. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
1. Always toast the pecans for a deeper flavor and added crunch.
2. Let your cake layers cool completely before frosting to avoid melting the cream cheese icing.
3. For the fluffiest batter, use room temperature ingredients and fold in egg whites gently.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 54g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 72g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 95mg