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! Recipe includes a how-to video.
A Not-So-Italian Cream Cake
By popular request! After a slew of emails asking for an Italian cream cake, I’ve finally created my own recipe that I’m excited to share with you today.
Italian cream cakes are known for having a soft cake crumb loaded with pecans and coconut. I wanted mine to be plush and perfectly dense (but with a crumb closer to vanilla cake than pound cake), sturdy enough to handle three layers and keep chopped pecans suspended in the batter, yet still able to melt in your mouth. Tricky, right? Right.
It took a lot of attempts to nail this one down, and ultimately, I ended up using a modified version of my Chantilly cake. I nixed the brown sugar so that the almond flavor could shine, used the reverse creaming method for a beautiful, soft crumb, and topped everything off with a THICK layer of cream cheese frosting, with only a few small tweaks from my well-loved recipe. You’re going to love it, even if it’s not really Italian (more on that below!).
This Cake Is a Winner in Every Department:
- Flavor: unique, yet still tastes comforting and familiar.
- Looks: three stately layers crowned with luscious cream cheese frosting; it’s almost as impressive as my cheesecake stuffed chocolate cake!
- Texture: the coconut and pecans throughout add a satisfying bite to the otherwise soft crumb.
- Ease: reverse creaming takes a smidge more time, but makes it nearly impossible to damage the crumb of the cake. This recipe is foolproof!
What You Need
Here’s what you’ll need for a super flavorful Italian cream cake:
- Almond extract. Using almond extract in both the frosting and cake gives it a bright and enticing flavor without being overwhelming; you’ll almost wonder what it is that’s giving the cake such a perfectly balanced flavor (if you’ve tried my angel food cake, you know what I’m talking about!)!
- Buttermilk. This ingredient is key for moisture and flavor (and I credit it for being why my chocolate cake recipe has been such a wild success!) If you’re in a pinch, you can use my buttermilk substitute, but I’d really recommend using the real stuff for this one.
- Pecans. If you’d like to use toasted pecans, toast them before you chop, otherwise they’re likely to burn.
- Coconut. We’ll use sweetened coconut in the cake and chopped toasted coconut for the decoration. I shared a post yesterday showing how to toast coconut, so check that out if you’ve never done it before.
- Cream cheese. Use brick-style, full-fat cream cheese; anything else could make your frosting too funny.
SAM’S TIP: I frost my Italian cream cake very generously (thick frosting is sort of a hallmark of the cake, really); if you prefer a more modest amount of frosting and don’t plan to do a decorative border, I suggest you divide the frosting recipe in half.
Remember, this is just an overview of the ingredients I used and why. For the full recipe please scroll down to the bottom of the post!
How to Make Italian Cream Cake
- Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl, then mix in the butter one tablespoon at a time (this is the reverse creaming method I use with my caramel cake, as opposed to creaming together the butter and sugar first).
- Whisk the wet ingredients together, then drizzle this mixture into the butter/flour mixture while mixing on low speed.
- Fold in the pecans and coconut with a spatula, then divide the batter between three greased, floured, and parchment-lined pans.
- Bake for 30 minutes, then let the cakes cool in their pans for 10-15 minutes before inverting onto a cooling rack.
- Cream together the butter and cream cheese until smooth, then stir in the extracts and salt.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar and keep mixing until the icing is smooth and creamy.
- Level your cakes if needed, then spread a thick layer of frosting over the top of one layer. Repeat until all layers have been frosted.
- Spread a thin layer of frosting around the entire cake and refrigerate for 15 minutes.
- Finish frosting and add decorative swirls on top, if desired.
- Press a mixture of toasted coconut and finely chopped pecans up the sides of the cake and lightly sprinkle any excess on your piped swirls.
SAM’S TIP: Pretty much the only way to mess up this cake is to overbake it, so make sure to test the cake for doneness a minute or two early to be safe!
Frequently Asked Questions
Surprisingly, Italian cream cake is not actually Italian! It’s believed to have originated in the southern USA, which isn’t surprising considering it’s studded with nuts both inside and out (all the best southern cakes seem to incorporate nuts, like my Texas sheet cake).
Even though its not actually from the Mediterranean, it still tastes as bright and flavorful as a true Italian dessert!
Yes, although it should be fine at room temperature in an airtight container for about 48 hours. After that, definitely put it in the fridge (still in an airtight container!).
You could, but classic Italian cream cakes are made with cream cheese icing and I’ve found the cake really benefits from the slight tang of a cream cheese frosting. If you’d like to switch things up, whipped cream frosting or Swiss meringue buttercream would be good alternatives!
So, how did I do? If you asked for this recipe, let me know how you like it in the comments below!
Enjoy!
Let’s bake together! I’ll be walking you through all the steps in my written recipe and video below! If you try this recipe, be sure to tag me on Instagram, and you can also find me on YouTube and Facebook
Italian Cream Cake
Ingredients
For Cake
- 2 ⅔ cups (333 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon table salt
- 12 Tablespoons (170 g) unsalted butter softened and cut into 12 pieces
- 1 ½ cups (354 ml) buttermilk room temperature preferred
- 2 large eggs room temperature preferred
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- 1 cup (120 g) sweetened shredded coconut
- 1 cup (113 g) coarsely chopped pecans
Frosting (yes, it’s a lot, see note)
- 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter softened
- 16 oz (453 g) cream cheese softened
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- ¼ teaspoon table salt
- 8 cups (1000 g) powdered sugar
For decorating, optional
- ½ cup (60 g) pecan halves finely chopped
- ½ cup (40 g) toasted coconut finely chopped
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
For Cake
- Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and thoroughly grease and flour three 8” (20cm) round cake pans (additionally I like to line the bottoms of each pan with a round of parchment paper to prevent sticking).
- Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment) and stir until completely combined.2 ⅔ cups (333 g) all-purpose flour, 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon table salt
- With mixer on medium-speed, add butter, one piece at a time, stirring until completely combined after each addition and before adding the next piece. Continue until all butter has been added. Mixture will be sandy once all butter is incorporated.12 Tablespoons (170 g) unsalted butter
- In a large measuring cup, whisk together buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla and almond extract.1 ½ cups (354 ml) buttermilk, 2 large eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon almond extract
- With mixer on low-speed, slowly drizzle buttermilk mixture into the batter until completely incorporated. Pause periodically to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl with a spatula to ensure all ingredients are completely combined.
- Use a spatula to stir in coconut and pecans until completely combined.1 cup (120 g) sweetened shredded coconut, 1 cup (113 g) coarsely chopped pecans
- Evenly divide batter into prepared baking pans and transfer to the center rack of 350F (175C) preheated oven for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with moist crumbs (see note if your oven does not fit all three pans at once, or if you do not have three pans!).
- Allow cakes to cool in their pans for 10-15 minutes, then run a knife around the edge to loosen cake from the pan and invert each layer onto a cooling rack to cool completely before decorating. While cakes cool, prepare the frosting.
Frosting
- In a large mixing bowl using an electric mixer (or in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment) combine butter and cream cheese and beat on low-speed until creamy and well-combined,1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, 16 oz (453 g) cream cheese
- Add vanilla extract, almond extract and salt and stir to combine,1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon almond extract, ¼ teaspoon table salt
- With mixer on low-speed, gradually add powdered sugar until all has been added. Scrape sides and bottom of bowl and stir again. Frosting should be smooth and creamy.8 cups (1000 g) powdered sugar
Assembly
- Level cakes if desired/necessary. Place one cake on serving platter and spread a thick, even layer of frosting over the top. Repeat with the next two layers. Smooth a thin layer of frosting evenly around the entire cake to catch the crumbs then place the cake in the refrigerator for 15 minutes (this is your “crumb coat”, it will ensure your outer layer of frosting remains pristine.
- Remove cake from refrigerator and spread an even layer of frosting over the entire cake. Use remaining frosting to pipe decorative swirls on top of the cake (I used the Ateco 846 piping tip).
- If desired, immediately after frosting the cake, mix together finely chopped pecans and toasted coconut and press halfway up the side of the cake. Dust the top of each swirl with a light sprinkling of pecan/coconut mixture.½ cup (60 g) pecan halves, ½ cup (40 g) toasted coconut
Notes
Baking pans
Bake cakes in the center rack of your oven (do not place cake tins on different racks, they won’t bake properly). If your oven does not bake evenly, you may need to rotate the pans halfway through baking or just be aware that some tins may bake faster than others. If your oven does not fit all three tins in the center rack, it’s fine to leave one sitting on the counter until the first two have baked, the lone cake may need a minute less time in the oven. This recipe may also be made in three 9” pans, but will need to bake for less time (start checking at 25 minutes).Icing
Since Italian Cream Cakes are well known for their luscious cream cheese frosting, I wasn’t about to skimp on the amount for my recipe. This recipe as written makes enough frosting to generously cover the entire cake as well as to do the decorative border on top. If you want a more modest amount of frosting and no decorative border, feel free to divide the recipe in half.Storing
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 48 hours or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cake may also be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and frozen.Gluten-Free
Readers have commented that they have successfully made this recipe gluten-free by using Bob’s Red Mill 1:1 GF flour.Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Eileen Blackfoot
I love this cake. It will definitely make this again. Love the fact that it has the right about of icing for the cake. Thank you very much.
Lucy
Can I make cupcakes with this recipe instead of the traditional cake form? Thanks
Sam Merritt
Hi Lucy! You can bake this in cupcake tins. 🙂
Duke
1/30/26 made this cake as shown and my wife laughed at me trying to be meticulous, but I laughed too because I’m a diabetic…of all things, right? I even went to HEB late to buy the piping bags and patterns, first time user, but I’ll get better to squeeze the same size patterns. I’ll use the excess frosting to practice😀I’ll freeze half by slicing for my cheat days, but it tasted so good with my cup of coffee this morning! Thank you and look forward to more recipes!
Sam Merritt
Thank you so much for trying my recipe, Duke! I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Practice definitely helps for piping the frosting. Happy baking! 🙂
Joan Smith
Can I use a Bundt pan for this cake?
Sam Merritt
Hi Joan! You could bake this in a bundt pan, but I’m not sure what the bake time would be. 🙂
Karen A
Hi Sam! I am absolutely in love with your cake recipes. I have tried several and not one has failed me! I’m going to try this one next but was wondering, are you using toasted pecans? Also, the toasted coconut that you use to decorate the cake, is that also sweetened?
Sam Merritt
Hi Karen! I’m so happy to hear you’ve been enjoying the cakes! I am not using toasted pecans, but you certainly can if you’d like. This is sweetened coconut. For future reference, I do cover this information in the actual post itself. I try to provide as much information without it being too much. Enjoy! 🙂
Karen A.
Thank you so much! I made it this weekend and like all the others it was a hit!
MDavis
Hi! I do not have the recommended pan sizes. Could I use a 9 x 1.5 pan and only make two instead of three layers? How would I adjust the recipe, if needed? And also the icing would need to be cut down as well. I see that you mentioned just cut the icing recipe in half.?
Sam Merritt
I would probably recommend reducing the recipe by 1/3. I’m not sure 2 pans would hold all of the batter that this cake makes. You can cut the icing as well, or just have extra for more decoration. 🙂
Patricia Taylor
Can I make this in a 9×13 pan?
Casey @ Sugar Spun Run
Hi Patricia! We haven’t personally tried this in a 9×13 pan, but it should work. You’ll just have to keep an eye on it while it bakes as the bake time will be different.
Patricia
What temperature and how long would you suggest for 9×12 pan
Casey @ Sugar Spun Run
You would bake on the same temperature (350F) but as we haven’t personally tried this in that size pan we cannot advise on a bake time. You will have to keep an eye on it while baking and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Hope that helps! ☺️
Britta Franklin
Can I bake this in a 12×9 pan?
Casey @ Sugar Spun Run
Hi Britta! We haven’t personally tried this, but it should work. You’ll just have to keep an eye on the bake time as that is likely to be different.
Betsy
This cake was the star of the show long before we sat to the table!
I have been recovering from cancer and recent shoulder surgery so I am definitely out of cake-making practice. My dear husband’s birthday – 81! – was today so I really wanted to make the cake. But another problem was we had recently downsized and moved to an apartment so I didn’t realize just how many of my tools and equipment didn’t make the move with me. But, I was excited to make the cake!
Many things went wrong, a lot because of operator error. But the first and fatal problem was my kitchen timer didn’t ring so my cake over baked. Nothing could have saved this poor cake from that. But, I marched on. Our kids dribbled in one at a time and watched my efforts, but none saw the entire process. I finished whipping the frosting while one daughter came in to visit. We chatted while I attempted to assemble the cake. She watched me put the partially frosted cake in the refrigerator and I told her I wanted the frosting to firm a bit before I went further. After a while she mentioned the frosting was probably okay. I muttered about the cake and said I wasn’t going to be able to redeem it.
After we finished eating, the same daughter went to the refrigerator to get the cake. When she opened the door she started laughing and had to grab the counter to hold herself up because she was laughing so hard. Her sister came over and saw the same thing and she, too, doubled over. The first daughter said she thought I was being overly dramatic when I was complaining about how badly the cake turned out. Noooo!
The best part of today’s disaster is my husband is going to buy me another stand mixer! I want a grudge match with that recipe! I know what I need to get so I can have a fighting chance to win this time. I’m looking at YOU, timer!
P.S. I’ll post the disaster photos as soon as I have the courage to look at the ones my daughter took and forwarded to me.
Sam Merritt
Thank you so much for sharing your story Betsy! It gave me a good laugh. I wish you a complete and speedy recovery. Spending time with family and making memories over food, even if it’s a fail, is truly one of the best experiences. Happy birthday to your husband and congratulations on your new stand mixer. Make sure to pick a fun color! 🙂
Cade
Boyfriend requested an Italian Cream Cake for his birthday but doesn’t like coconut. If omitting coconut, are there any other changes you would suggest? Thanks in advance — the recipe looks amazing!
Sam Merritt
Hi Cade! You can omit the coconut without other adjustments. 🙂 I hope you love it! 🙂
deb teague
THIS RECIPE ROCKS! A LOT OF WORK THOUGH! GET A BUTTER CUTTER AND USE THAT MIXER YOU HAVE AND IT WIL BE FASTER. YUMMY, YUMMY! YUMMY!!!!!!