Italian Cream Cake Recipe (2024)

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All good bakers, let’s have a moment of silence for the Italian cream cake’s awesomeness. All new bakers, join in too because you’ll be a pro once you get this baby on your table and enjoy the cheers (and empty plates) it brings.

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Italian Cream Cake Recipe (1)This cake is a wow-er. A wow-zer. A “what in the world did you do there?” kind of thing.And you’ll see why it should only be made for special occasions when you get to the ingredients.

It would kill you if you ate it more than that.

All I can do is recommend that you just close your eyes and eat it and don’t think about the calories. Why ruin such a good thing?

I know this isn’t truly the easiest recipe I’ve ever posted. But I hope you’ll stay with me on it. Every once in awhile we have those times when we need something amazing. And this is just the thing.

If you’re new to baking, I believe you can do this. See below for some links to helpful videos for how to work with egg whites if you’ve never done that. And of course, if you have ANY questions at all, I’m only an email or a comment away.

Italian Cream Cake Recipe (2)

Now warning: this cake has coconut and pecans. If you don’t like those, don’t make this because it won’t be the same cake. You could, possibly, sub the pecans for walnuts I guess…

But if you make it according to the instructions, sit back and enjoy. This cake is rich, but not overly sweet. It’s dense, but it’s moist at the same time.

A couple of tips to keep in mind about your Italian cream cake:

Remember to separate the eggs, then whip the egg whites to stiff peaks.(Check this helpful little snippet if you’re not sure how. Or take a look at my ultra helpful post on everything you need to know to bake cakes like an old Southern woman.

FOLD in your egg whites to keep as much air in the batter as possible. If you don’t know how to fold, you can watch this video–nothing like a random YouTube guy to get your lesson from. Maybe one of these days you’ll get a lesson from me.

This recipe takes a few most of the bowls in your kitchen. Sorry about that. And the calories? Well, this just isn’t something you should eat when you’re counting. I just wanted to warn you.

A note on the frosting: If you want a thick frosting, make a double batch. I find a thin skim is plenty on this ultra-rich cake, so plan accordingly if you want more. If your frosting is thick, feel free to thin it slightly with one teaspoon at a time of milk if it’s hard to spread.

Italian Cream Cake Recipe (3)

Italian Cream Cake Recipe (4)

Rich, sweet and an amazing showstopper for any event, this cake is made totally from scratch.

Prep Time 35 minutes minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour

Servings 12 people

Author Rachel Ballard

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1/2 cup vegetable shortening
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 6 egg yolks
  • 2 cups self rising flour
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 cups sweetened shredded coconut, divided
  • 6 egg whites beaten to stiff peaks

For the frosting

  • 1/4 cup butter softened
  • 8 ounces cream cheese at room temperature
  • 1 pound powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350.

  • Grease and flour 3 8-inch cake pans. Set aside.

  • In a large bowl, cream the butter and shortening until smooth. Add the sugar and beat well.

  • Add the egg yolks and mix well.

  • Sift the flour and add into the sugar and butter mixture one-third at a time, alternating with the milk.

  • Stir in the vanilla, 1 cup of coconut and the pecans.

  • Fold in the egg whites carefully until no pockets remain.

  • Divide evenly between the three prepared pans.

  • Bake 25 minutes and turn out to a wire rack to cool completely

  • While the cakes bake, sprinkle one cup of coconut on a baking sheet and toast it in the oven alongside your cakes until brown and nutty, about 8 to 10 minutes. Stir it every couple of minutes to make sure it doesn’t burn. Then set aside to cool

For the frosting:

  • Cream the butter and cream cheese until well mixed. Add the vanilla and powdered sugar and mix until well combined.

    Spread between layers of cake and on top and sides.

    Use your hands to press the toasted coconut all around the sides.

    Sprinkle pecans over the top.

Notes

If you like your frosting very thick, it’s fine to make a double batch.

Nutrition

Calories: 917kcal

Tried this recipe?Tag us on Instagram @feastandfarm and hashtag it #feastandfarm

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Italian Cream Cake Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is an Italian cream cake made of? ›

Made with tangy buttermilk, flaked coconut, and a nutty cream cheese frosting, this decadent layer cake would be just as welcome at a casual gathering as at a wedding celebration. Get ahead of your party prep by baking the cake layers in advance, and this beauty will come together in no time.

Does Italian cream cake need to be refrigerated? ›

Due to the cream cheese frosting, the cake needs to be refrigerated. Keep any leftovers, loosely covered with plastic wrap, in the fridge for up to 1 week. If you have a cake keeper, you can use that. If not, the dollops of frosting on top might get a little squished from plastic wrap.

What happens when you add cream to cake? ›

This cake showed me that the act of whipping cream instead of creaming butter isn't just easier—it also creates a lighter, fluffier batter. Once whipped, the cream becomes a natural leavener, yielding a lighter, fluffier cake.

Can you leave Italian cream cake out overnight? ›

Hi, I've been making scratch italian cream cakes for years and have always left them out for 3 to 4 days with no problem. They were always in a covered cake dome. When making them for clients, I always refrigerate them until delivery or pick up and I've never had any complaints either way.

What is the name of the classic cake that originated in Italy? ›

Pan di Spagna is a classic Italian cake that is widely used in confectionery as a base for many elaborate sweets, such as zuccoto or cassata. Fragrant and soft, this simple sponge cake is made with only a few ingredients: eggs, sugar, flour, and flavorings such as vanilla or lemon zest.

What is the most famous dessert in Italy? ›

Perhaps the most iconic Italian dessert, tiramisu appears on menus at restaurants not only throughout Italy but also all over the world.

Can you eat cream cake left out overnight? ›

You can keep in an air tight container for up to 48 hours and in a fridge for up to 72 hours. Cake with fresh cream should be eaten within 3 hours. Alternatively, seal the fresh cream cake in an air tight container and put in the fridge and consume with 24 hours.

How long does cream cake stay fresh? ›

Frosted or Cream-filled Cakes

However, if your cake includes cream-based frosting or fillings, such as whipped cream or custard, you should refrigerate it immediately and consume within two to three days.

What is the oldest Italian dessert? ›

Crostata is perhaps the oldest Italian dessert.

What cake do Italians eat for breakfast? ›

Ciambella is one of the most popular Italian breakfast cakes. It's traditionally baked in the shape of a ring and topped with icing or dusted with sugar. It usually includes one of Italy's favorite flavors: lemon.

What do Italians eat for breakfast? ›

The most common classic breakfast food in Italy is the “cornetto”, or croissant. A cornetto is often filled with some kind of cream, custard, jam or chocolate spread, and accompanied by a coffee.

Can I use heavy cream instead of milk in cake? ›

Heavy cream is a great substitute for milk in a baking recipe, but it does need to be diluted slightly. Because heavy cream boasts a fat content of 36% to 40%, using a half cup of heavy cream mixed with a half cup of water will be your best bet for replacing one cup of milk.

Can I use heavy whipping cream in a cake mix? ›

Beat half a cup of heavy whipping cream in a separate bowl—I use my immersion blender, as it makes for a denser, more stable whipped cream—and then gently fold it into the batter with a silicone spatula. The cream should be mostly incorporated, but a few wispy streaks are more than okay.

Which cream is used for cake in bakery? ›

Whipping/Whipped Cream

With a minimum fat content of 30 %, this cream is used extensively as cake topping and filling. It is thinner than double cream and is often flavoured with vanilla. Chantilly Cream is the name given to vanilla flavoured whipped cream.

What is thickened cream in Italy? ›

In Italy, the equivalent of heavy cream is known as "panna da cucina" or simply "panna." It is a rich, thick cream used in cooking and baking, similar to heavy cream in other parts of the world. Panna is often used to add creaminess and richness to sauces, soups, desserts, and various Italian dishes.

What is Italian wedding cake made of? ›

The typical Italian wedding cake is a Millefeuille. This is made of layers of crunchy puff pastry, alternated with Chantilly cream (a mix of cream and whipped cream) and either wild berries or chocolate drops.

Why is Portillo's cake so good? ›

Its not-so-secret-anymore ingredient: mayonnaise. A Portillo's slice. Texture: That dollop of mayonnaise does the trick. Portillo's cake is indeed very moist, with a pleasantly velvety crumb.

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