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. I love using buttermilk in cakes to add moisture and flavor. 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.
Jaclyn S.
I love this recipe. I find just a plain cream cheese frosting a bit heavy though. The recipe I prefer is 1 block full fat cream cheese at room temp., 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream almond extract and 2/3 cup granulated sugar. Whip the cream cheese and sugar smooth, slowly add the heavy whipping cream and almond extract. The icing will be fluffy, creamy and spread like velvet.
Matthew Quigley
Can you use cake flour for this recipe?
Sam
As long as it is substituted properly it will work. 🙂
Karen Byers
Simple to make, cake turned out moist and baked very evenly. Loved the fact that measurements are imbedded in the instructions so no flipping back and forth. Will make again.
David
I made this as an anniversary gift for my wife. We had this cake for our wedding many moons ago. I’ve never made a three tiered cake before and we have gluten allergies in the house. The instructions were top notch and I used my own gluten free flour blend. This recipe is awesome and easy to follow! I highly recommend and will be making this many times in the future!
JoAnn
I made it with 2 pans and used 5 cups of powered sugar,didn’t want it to sweet baking with 2 pans the time was 45 minutes it smelled the whole house, loved it😉
Jane
I highly recommend against using 8 cups of powdered sugar for the frosting. It made it way too sweet. I made it again with 7 cups of sugar and it was still extremely sweet. I would say start with 6 cups of sugar and then add more to taste/until the frosting is thick enough.
Jennie
Sam, your Italian cream cake is wonderful!
I’ve made 2 recently…
deb
love it. I am Italian and I love Italian Cream Cake. I actually put some maraschino cherries on mine as well. Yummy! By sister gave this to me so thank you for posting.
Sam
I’m so glad you enjoyed it so much, Deb! 🙂
Jeff
Two quick questions.
Can this be made as two layer cake if you liked to increase cake to frosting ratio?
also how do you get the clean edge on on the decorative outer pecan decoration?
Being from the South, I think I will love this and my shipment of fresh Georgia pecans arrived recently.
Thanks.
Sam
Hi Jeff! It should fit into 2 pans, but I’m not sure on the bake time. Make sure to not overfill your pans. To make the pecan decoration, you can actually watch me do it in the video. You just take your crushed up pecans in your hand and press them up the sides.
Geri
Perfect cake! A friends grandmother used to make this type of cake for her birthday, and has since passed. She requested this cake so I began testing recipes. This was the 2nd recipe I tried and I need no more. This is perfectly moist and very tasty with everyone at the gathering absolutely loving it. They though it was professionally made. Thank you for sharing!
samania malik
wonderful techniques
Lori
I just made this for Thanksgiving and could only make two layers because I didn’t have enough batter. The two layers I made actually are fairly thin as well. I followed instructions and my ingredients are within expiration. I wish I had used 8” pans instead
Sam
Hi Lori! What size pans did you use? You can see the layers are a little thinner than a standard cake layer, but you just divide the batter evenly between the three pans. 🙂
Rachel
I tried the reverse cream method for this cake and it was awful – I felt like I was just chasing around oats of butter with my mixer. I ended up scrapping the whole batter and remaking it a traditional way (cream butter and sugar together, add eggs and vanilla, add dry ingredients/buttermilk). Much more successful.
Sam
I’m so sorry to hear this happened, Rachel! Was your butter softened when attempting to mix it in?
Rachel
Yes, I had left it at room temp all day.
LaNelle
Thank you for an easy to follow recipe. I’m a novice baker, making this cake as a dessert gift. I love that you added the ingredients in the directions so I didn’t have to scroll back to see how much of something I needed for that step.
I made this cake twice in a week’s time. First time, I followed your directions exactly. The second time I substituted cake flour. This was helpful in understanding the differences between cake and all purpose flour. This is DEFINITELY an all purpose flour cake. The texture and crumbs from the AP adds to the light flavor of this cake.
Charlotte
Could part of the regular flour be replaced with pistachio flour to make it more of a “Watergate” style cake? I’ve been trying to find a recipe for that cake that isn’t a box cake with instant pudding. Any suggestions would be welcome.
Sam
Hi Charlotte! Unfortunately I am not sure how using pistachio flour would work here. I just haven’t tried it. I do have a pistachio cake you could try. 🙂
Charlotte
Hi again, if I wanted to make a sheet cake with this recipe what size pan would I need to use?
Sam
Hi Charlotte! It will fit in a 9 x 13, but I’m not sure on a bake time. 🙂