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)

Italian Cream Cake

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 does Italian cream cake taste like? ›

Italian Cream Cake is a southern-style cake is bursting with pecan, coconut, and almond flavors. It's frosted with a cream cheese frosting and beautifully decorated to make one impressive and ridiculously tasty dessert!

What is Italian cream frosting made of? ›

Pastry chef Paola Velez makes her Italian Buttercream by starting with a thick, glossy meringue made with egg whites and sugar syrup. She then gradually incorporates softened butter, beating it until everything turns into a light and fluffy frosting.

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.

Why is Portillo's cake so good? ›

The cake is made with high-quality ingredients. It includes cocoa powder, butter, and real chocolate, which gives it a rich, chocolatey flavor and a moist, tender crumb. The frosting is also made with real butter and cream, which gives it a velvety smooth texture and a decadent taste.

Which is the tastiest cream for cake? ›

Thickened cream

It's the all-rounder cream that's perfect for desserts, whipping, cake fillings, mousse and is the cherry on top when served with hot, golden scones. Look out for lighter versions of thickened cream if you're in the mood for something a bit less dense.

What is the difference between a cream cake and a normal cake? ›

Unlike regular cakes that are deathly sweet, fresh cream cakes are perfect they're neither bland nor sweet. And they're healthier when compared to margarine and buttercream cakes.

What do Italians call cake? ›

noun. 1. (large) torta. (small) pasticcino. chocolate cake torta al cioccolato.

What's the difference between Italian cream and buttercream? ›

What's the difference between buttercream and Italian meringue buttercream? Italian buttercream is meringue-based and very light, creamy, and less sweet than American buttercream. American buttercream is sweeter but has the advantage of being quick, easy to make, and sturdy.

What is Italian cream made of? ›

ITALIAN PASTRY CREAM WITH MILK

In a medium bowl add egg yolks and sugar, beat at medium-high speed until thick and creamy (approximately 5 minutes) slowly add 1/3 of the boiled cooled milk and continue beating, then slowly add the flour and continue beating until smooth.

Why does my Italian buttercream look like cottage cheese? ›

If the buttercream splits and looks curdled, like cottage cheese, it means the mixture didn't emulsify because the temperature of the butter was either too cold or the meringue was still too warm.

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.

What is the name of Italian cream cheese? ›

Mascarpone, also known as Italian cream cheese, is a rich, spreadable cow's milk cheese with an especially high percentage of butterfat.

Can you eat cream cake left out overnight? ›

How long can cake sit out unrefrigerated? If your cake is frosted with buttercream, it will last covered at room temperature for up to four days. However, it is best to refrigerate cakes with other frostings such as cream cheese or ganache. A fully covered unfrosted cake will last for up to 2 days at room temperature.

What is Italian rum cake made of? ›

The base consists of Pan di Spagna (“bread of Spain”), a light and airy sponge cake, which is moistened with a rum soak, filled with two layers of cream — be it vanilla, chocolate or a combination of the two — covered in stabilized whipped cream, decorated with nuts such as slivered almonds and decorated in some ...

What is Italian hangover cake made of? ›

The Italian Hangover Cake is a homemade cake from Defazio's. It features a flavorful combination of Disaronno, Gran Marnier, Vodka, and Orange Juice. It's a classic soaked bundt cake, just like my salted caramel Kentucky butter cake with bourbon.

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

Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without Italy's king of cakes. Hours spent recipe perfecting and leavening, the panettone is no longer purely an Italian holiday icon.

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