Description
Bring a slice of the South to your table with this moist, nutty, and beautifully frosted Italian Cream Cake. It’s the perfect showstopper for holidays, celebrations, or when you simply need a sweet escape. With its tender crumb, toasted pecans, sweet coconut, and fluffy cream cheese frosting, this dessert delivers all the comfort and flavor of a homemade classic. Whether you’re after easy cake recipes, Southern baking ideas, or holiday dessert inspiration, this recipe covers it all.
Ingredients
1 cup butter, softened
2 cups granulated sugar
5 large eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
1 cup chopped pecans
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter (for frosting), softened
4 cups powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease and flour three 9-inch cake pans.
2. Cream together 1 cup softened butter and 2 cups granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
4. In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking soda, and baking powder.
5. Combine buttermilk with 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
6. Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk mixture to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined.
7. Fold in shredded coconut and chopped pecans.
8. Divide batter evenly among pans and bake for 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
9. Let cakes cool completely on wire racks.
10. For the frosting, beat cream cheese and 1/2 cup butter until smooth.
11. Gradually add powdered sugar and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, beating until fluffy.
12. Assemble cake by layering with frosting between each layer and on top. Garnish with extra pecans and toasted coconut if desired.
Notes
Toasting the pecans before folding them into the batter enhances their flavor and crunch.
Be sure your cream cheese and butter are fully softened for the smoothest frosting.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 47g
- Sodium: 310mg
- Fat: 33g
- Saturated Fat: 19g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 74g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: Italian Cream Cake, Southern desserts, cream cheese frosting, coconut cake, holiday cake