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Italian Cream Cake

Name: Italian Cream Cake
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: 2 cup all-purpose flour; 1 tsp baking soda; 1/2 tsp baking powder; 1 cup salted butter (softened); 1 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 1/2 cup light brown sugar; 2 tsp pure vanilla extract; 1/2 tsp pure almond extract; 5 large eggs; 1 cup whole buttermilk; 14 oz package sweetened flaked coconut (divided); 1 1/2 cup pecan pieces toasted (divided); Frosting:; 2 (8 oz) blocks cream cheese (softened); 1 cup unsalted butter (softened); 2 lb powdered sugar; 2 tsp pure vanilla extract; 1/2 tsp pure almond extract; reserved coconut (toasted); 1/2 cup reserved toasted pecans

April 18, 2014 by Melissa 425 Comments

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This glorious Italian Cream Cake is one of the greatest cakes ever invented! It's a spectacular cake, any way you slice it. Pardon the pun. The rich thick pecan and coconut filled batter is only trumped by the decadent cream cheese frosting. It's ideal for showcasing as the feature dessert for birthdays, holidays or any special gathering.

What's Italian About This Cream Cake?

Nothing, actually. This vintage cake dubbed "Italian Cream Cake" is more Southern than Italian and no one really knows definitively why it was given this name. That said, Italian cream cake recipes are basically the same, and true to form as it is with all recipes, my take on it has evolved through the years in my kitchen. While it does take several steps to create this cake it's a labor of love well worth the effort when you see the delight on the faces of your family and friends. It's a very special cake for a special occasion.

How to Make the Best Italian Cream Cake Recipe

My family members are die hard sweet or savory coconut fans. Coconut and pecans pair beautifully in this spectacular cake frosted with a dreamy cream cheese frosting. It's such an amazing cake, it's guaranteed to turn any occasion into something special. I always like to include a few tips to ensure your cake making success:

Kitchen tools you'll need to make Italian Cream Cake: An electric mixer, either a stand mixer or a hand mixer whatever you have on hand. Large mixing bowls, measuring cups and spoons and a whisk to sift together the dry ingredients, plus a large silicone spatula to scrape the sides of the bowl while mixing. A sheet pan and chopping tool to prep the nuts for roasting.
Ingredients you'll need: All purpose flour, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, salted butter, baking powder, baking soda, buttermilk, eggs, vanilla extract, almond extract, sweetened flaked coconuts and pecans. Softened cream cheese and powdered sugar along with vanilla and almond for the frosting.
If you only have unsalted butter on hand, add ½ teaspoon salt to the dry ingredients and proceed with the recipe.
Traditional Italian cream cake recipes often call for solid vegetable shortening in the batter. That said, after years of making this cake, I prefer using all butter in my cream cake batter.
Granulated sugar alone doesn't give the depth of flavor you gain by adding brown sugar to the batter along with a touch of almond extract. Don't skip it, it's what sets this recipe apart from the rest.
It's well worth the small amount of effort it takes to toast the coconut to use as a garnish for the sides of the cake. Not only does toasted coconut make it pretty, but it adds a spectacular flavor as well.
Store this cake in an airtight container chilled for up to one week, if it lasts that long.
This cake is one of those showpiece cakes that make a statement on the dessert table. It's okay to feel proud once you serve it, I know I do.
You may also like this recipe for Coconut Custard Layer Cake from Beyond Frosting.

Other Special Southern Cake Recipes to Add to the Dessert Menu

Cakes just spell celebration no matter when they're served. In my opinion, life is much too short to skip dessert or only have cake once a year on your birthday. Baking can be therapeutic, and sweets tend to bring happiness to those around you. Other cakes you may like to try:

German Chocolate Cake with Coconut Pecan Icing
Million Dollar Pound Cake Recipe
Island inspired Hawaiian Pineapple Coconut Poke Cake
Oatmeal Cake with Broiled Coconut Pecan Icing
Double Chocolate Coconut Zucchini Cake
Red Velvet Layer Cake

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