Classic Italian Cream Cake

Prepare to tantalize your taste buds with a true embodiment of Southern comfort: the magnificent Italian Cream Cake! This classic, old-fashioned dessert is a celebration of luxurious textures and harmonious flavors, promising an unforgettable experience with every slice. Imagine sinking your fork into three layers of exceptionally moist cake, each infused with a dreamy combination of fluffy cream cheese frosting, sweet coconut, and perfectly roasted pecans. It’s a symphony of sweet and nutty notes, all crowned with more decadent frosting and crunchy pecan pieces. Are you ready to embark on this delightful baking journey?

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What is Italian Cream Cake? A Southern Classic Unveiled

Despite its name, Italian Cream Cake is not Italian in origin but rather a beloved staple of Southern American cuisine. This old-fashioned cake is a masterpiece that perfectly marries the indulgent sweetness of coconut with the satisfying crunch of pecans. What truly elevates it to heavenly status is the luscious cream cheese frosting, generously spread between its moist layers and lavishly coating the top and sides. The entire creation is often finished with a sprinkling of additional roasted pecans, adding both visual appeal and an extra layer of nutty flavor.

This delectable dessert stands out for its unique blend of textures and tastes. The cake itself is renowned for its tender, moist crumb, often achieved through the use of buttermilk and a combination of butter and shortening. The addition of shredded coconut and finely chopped pecans into the cake batter ensures that every bite is bursting with flavor and delightful chewiness. The rich, tangy cream cheese frosting provides the perfect counterpoint to the sweet cake, creating a balanced and utterly irresistible experience. It’s no wonder this classic has been cherished for generations, becoming a go-to dessert for holidays, birthdays, and any special occasion where a truly impressive sweet treat is desired. Prepare this timeless favorite today and watch it become an instant hit with your friends and family!

Gather Your Essential Ingredients for Italian Cream Cake

Creating the perfect Italian Cream Cake begins with selecting high-quality ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in achieving the cake’s signature texture and flavor profile. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:

For the Italian Cream Cake Layers:

• Unsalted Butter: Ensure it’s softened to room temperature for optimal creaming. Butter adds rich flavor and moisture.
• Shortening: Like Crisco, shortening contributes to the cake’s tender crumb and helps keep it incredibly moist.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps achieve a light, fluffy texture when creamed with fats.
• Eggs, Separated: Room temperature eggs incorporate better into the batter. Separating them allows for whipped egg whites, which are key to the cake’s airy structure.
• Vanilla Extract: A classic flavor enhancer that complements the coconut and pecans beautifully.
• All-Purpose Flour: The structural base of your cake. Measure it correctly to avoid a dense cake.
• Baking Soda: Works with the buttermilk to create lift and a tender crumb.
• Buttermilk or Milk of Choice: Buttermilk is essential for the cake’s tangy flavor and incredibly moist texture. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can easily make your own: add 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to a measuring cup and fill it to 1 cup with regular milk. Stir and let it sit for 5 minutes until slightly curdled. Alternatively, 1 cup of plain yogurt can also be used.
• Sweetened Shredded Coconut: The star ingredient that defines the flavor and adds delightful chewiness to the cake.
• Chopped Pecans: Roasted unsalted pecans are highly recommended. Roasting brings out their natural nutty flavor, which pairs perfectly with the coconut and cream cheese.

For the Dreamy Cream Cheese Frosting:

• Cream Cheese: Softened to room temperature, it’s the foundation of this classic frosting, providing tanginess and a smooth texture.
• Butter: Softened, it works in harmony with the cream cheese for a rich and creamy consistency.
• Confectioners’ Sugar (Powdered Sugar): Sweetens and thickens the frosting, giving it that smooth, melt-in-your-mouth quality.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile of the frosting.
• Chopped Pecans: These are stirred into the frosting for added texture and nutty flavor, and also used for garnishing the cake.

How to Make Old-Fashioned Italian Cream Cake: A Step-by-Step Guide

Creating this Italian Cream Cake is a labor of love that rewards you with an incredibly satisfying dessert. Follow these detailed steps to achieve perfect, moist cake layers:

1. Prepare Your Baking Pans: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Thoroughly grease three 8-inch or 9-inch round baking pans. For extra assurance against sticking, dust them lightly with flour, tapping out any excess. This step is crucial for easy removal of your delicate cake layers.
2. Cream the Fats and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter, shortening, and granulated sugar. Using an electric mixer, beat these ingredients together on medium-high speed for 5-7 minutes until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color. This creaming process incorporates air, which contributes to the cake’s tender texture. Next, beat in the egg yolks one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract until just combined.
3. Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and baking soda. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, alternating with the buttermilk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix on low speed until *just* combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can develop the gluten in the flour, leading to a tough cake. The batter should be smooth but don not overmix it.

Adding the Coconut, Pecans, and Preparing the Egg White Mixture

These next steps are vital for incorporating the signature flavors and achieving the light, airy texture that Italian Cream Cake is famous for:

1. Fold in Coconut and Pecans: Gently stir the sweetened shredded coconut and chopped pecans into the cake batter. Mix just enough to distribute them evenly throughout the batter. Overmixing here can also affect the final texture.
2. Whip and Fold Egg Whites: In a clean, separate bowl, beat the reserved egg whites with an electric mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form. The peaks should hold their shape but still be glossy and not dry or crumbly. Gently fold about one-third of the whipped egg whites into the cake batter to lighten it. Then, carefully fold in the remaining egg whites in two additions, using a spatula. Use a light, lifting motion to preserve as much air as possible, ensuring the egg whites are just incorporated into the batter without deflating them. This step adds significant lift and tenderness to the cake. Pour the prepared batter evenly into your greased and floured baking pans.

Baking The Cake to Perfection

The baking process is where the magic happens, transforming your batter into golden, fragrant cake layers. Pay close attention to these details:

1. Bake Until Done: Place the pans in your preheated oven. Bake the cake layers until a toothpick inserted into the center of each comes out clean. For 9-inch pans, this typically takes 20-25 minutes. For 8-inch pans, it will take a bit longer, usually 30-35 minutes. Baking times can vary depending on your oven, so keep a close eye on them. The cakes should be lightly golden brown on top and spring back when gently pressed.
2. Cooling the Cake Layers: Once baked, remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool in their pans on wire racks for about 10 minutes. This allows the cakes to firm up slightly before you attempt to remove them. After 10 minutes, carefully invert the cakes onto the wire racks to cool completely. It is absolutely crucial that the cake layers are entirely cool before you even think about frosting them. Attempting to frost a warm cake will result in melted, messy frosting and a ruined presentation.

Making the Heavenly Cream Cheese Frosting

No Italian Cream Cake is complete without its iconic cream cheese frosting. This rich, tangy, and fluffy topping is what truly ties all the flavors together. Here’s how to create it:

1. Whip the Base: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and softened butter together using an electric mixer. Start on low speed to combine, then increase to medium-high and beat until the mixture is ultra-smooth, creamy, and free of any lumps. This step is critical for a silky frosting.
2. Add Sweetness and Flavor: Gradually add the confectioners’ sugar, about 1 cup at a time, beating well after each addition until fully incorporated. Once all the sugar is in, add the vanilla extract. Continue beating on medium-high speed for another 3-5 minutes until the frosting becomes wonderfully light, fluffy, and visibly increased in volume. The longer you beat it, the airier it will become.
3. Stir in Pecans: Gently stir in the chopped roasted pecans for a delightful nutty flavor and textural contrast within the frosting.
4. Frost the Cake: Once your cake layers are completely cool, use this heavenly frosting to fill between the layers. Then, generously spread the remaining frosting over the entire top and sides of the cake, creating a smooth and elegant finish.
5. Garnish (Optional but Recommended): For an extra touch of indulgence and visual appeal, top the cake with some additional chopped roasted pecans, if desired.
6. Chill Before Serving: Store the finished cake in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve. This allows the frosting to firm up slightly and helps the cake maintain its structure.

Storing Italian Cream Cake: Keep it Fresh and Delicious

Proper storage is key to preserving the freshness and incredible taste of your Italian Cream Cake, especially due to its cream cheese frosting. Here are the best practices:

Always keep your Italian Cream Cake refrigerated until you are ready to serve it. The cream cheese frosting contains dairy and requires refrigeration to stay fresh and safe to eat. When storing leftovers, cover the cake lightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Ideally, a cake keeper or an airtight container designed for cakes is the best option as it prevents the cake from drying out and protects the frosting. If you don’t have a cake keeper, insert a few toothpicks into the top and sides of the cake before covering it with plastic wrap. This clever trick creates a small space between the wrap and the frosting, preventing the plastic from sticking to and marring your beautiful frosting. Stored correctly in the refrigerator, your Italian Cream Cake can remain fresh and delicious for up to a week.

Expert Tips for Baking Your Best Italian Cream Cake

To ensure your Italian Cream Cake turns out perfectly every time, consider these invaluable tips:

• Room Temperature Ingredients are Key: For both the cake batter and the frosting, ensure your butter, cream cheese, and eggs are at room temperature. This allows them to emulsify properly, creating a smooth, homogenous batter and a lump-free, fluffy frosting.
• Don’t Overmix: After adding the dry ingredients to the wet, mix only until just combined. Overmixing develops gluten, which can lead to a tough, dry cake.
• Accurate Measuring: Especially with flour, precise measurement is crucial. Spoon flour into your measuring cup and level it off with a straight edge rather than scooping directly from the bag, which can compact the flour and lead to too much being used.
• Whip Egg Whites Correctly: Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form, but avoid overbeating them to the point of dryness. Dry egg whites are difficult to fold in and can result in a less tender cake.
• Gentle Folding: When incorporating whipped egg whites, use a gentle, upward folding motion with a spatula. The goal is to preserve the air you’ve whipped into them, which gives the cake its light texture.
• Even Baking: Distribute the batter evenly among your prepared pans. If your oven has hot spots, rotate the pans halfway through the baking time for even cooking.
• Cool Completely: Patience is a virtue when it comes to cooling cake layers. Ensure they are completely cool to the touch before applying frosting. Even slightly warm layers will melt your beautiful cream cheese frosting.
• High-Quality Pecans: Roasting your pecans (if they aren’t already) enhances their flavor significantly. This simple step makes a big difference in the overall taste of the cake and frosting.
• Taste Your Frosting: Before you frost, taste your cream cheese frosting. Adjust sweetness or vanilla to your preference.

Variations & Serving Suggestions

While classic Italian Cream Cake is perfect as is, you can always explore variations to suit your taste:

• Nut Alternatives: If pecans aren’t your favorite, consider walnuts or even almonds for a different nutty profile.
• Flavor Boost: Add a hint of almond extract to the cake batter or frosting for an extra layer of flavor. A touch of bourbon or rum can also add depth.
• Layered Fillings: Beyond the cream cheese frosting, some bakers like to add a thin layer of lemon curd or a fruit compote between the cake layers for a burst of contrasting flavor.
• Serving Pairings: Italian Cream Cake is rich enough to stand on its own, but it pairs beautifully with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or a fresh berry compote. It’s also an excellent companion to a strong cup of coffee or a sweet dessert wine.

Frequently Asked Questions About Italian Cream Cake

Here are answers to some common questions you might have about making this delightful dessert:

Is Italian Cream Cake actually Italian?

No, despite its name, Italian Cream Cake is a beloved dessert that originated in the American South. Its exact history is a bit hazy, but it’s a staple of Southern comfort food, not a traditional Italian pastry.

Can I make Italian Cream Cake ahead of time?

Absolutely! This cake actually tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together. You can bake the cake layers a day or two in advance, wrap them tightly, and store them at room temperature. The frosting can also be made a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator. Just bring the frosting to room temperature and re-whip it slightly before assembling the cake.

Can I freeze Italian Cream Cake?

Yes, you can! The cake layers freeze beautifully. Wrap cooled, unfrosted layers tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil, and freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator before frosting. You can also freeze a fully assembled and frosted cake. Place the cake (uncovered) in the freezer until the frosting is firm, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.

Why is my cream cheese frosting runny?

A runny cream cheese frosting usually happens if the butter and cream cheese are too warm or if not enough confectioners’ sugar was used. Ensure your butter and cream cheese are softened but still cool to the touch, not melted. If it’s too runny, try adding more confectioners’ sugar, a tablespoon at a time, until the desired consistency is reached. Chilling the frosting for a bit can also help it firm up.

Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?

While buttermilk provides a unique tang and moisture that is characteristic of Italian Cream Cake, you can substitute it. As mentioned in the ingredients section, you can make a DIY buttermilk by adding 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to a cup and filling it with regular milk, letting it sit for 5 minutes. Alternatively, plain yogurt can also work in a pinch.

In conclusion, Italian Cream Cake is more than just a dessert; it’s a wonderfully rich and luxurious experience that captivates anyone who indulges in its sweet, creamy goodness. It consistently ranks as a favorite, bringing smiles to faces at any gathering.

While this dessert might initially appear a bit daunting with its multiple layers and distinct components, rest assured that it’s surprisingly simple to prepare. With just a few basic, high-quality ingredients and some standard kitchen tools, you’ll be well on your way to baking success. The effort is minimal compared to the incredible reward!

Whether savored on its own, allowing its complex flavors to shine, or paired with your favorite scoop of ice cream, Italian Cream Cake is an ideal dessert. Its elegant presentation and comforting taste are sure to delight everyone at your table, leaving a lasting impression. Buon appetito!

Share your delightful creations on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook! We’d love to see your Italian Cream Cake masterpieces.

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Recipe slightly adapted from Taste of Home