Decadent Italian Cream Cake

Indulge in a truly show-stopping dessert with this spectacular Italian Cream Cake! Featuring three sweet, incredibly moist layers of coconut-infused cake and crowned with a luscious, tangy cream cheese frosting, it’s a creation worthy of any celebration.

From the very first forkful, this Coconut Cake enchanted me. While I’ve sampled many versions over the years, this particular recipe transcends them all, offering a truly unforgettable experience. What’s more, this rendition is crafted to be nut-free, making it perfect for those with allergies or preferences, but for pecan lovers, feel free to incorporate some into the batter for an added layer of flavor and texture!

A perfectly sliced piece of Italian Cream Cake, revealing three moist coconut cake layers and generous cream cheese frosting, resting on a pristine white dessert plate.

Contents

Why You Must Make This Decadent Italian Cream Cake

My initial encounter with Italian Cream Cake years ago was pleasant, but not particularly memorable. It was good, but it didn’t leave a lasting impression. That all changed with this latest recipe. One bite, and I was utterly captivated, knowing instantly that I needed this recipe in my repertoire. As a devoted enthusiast of classic Coconut Cake, I can confidently say this version is truly something special, taking the beloved classic to new heights.

What sets this recipe apart, transforming it from merely “tasty” to “out of this world”? It’s an exquisite symphony of elements working in harmony:

Unmatched Moisture and Texture: This cake boasts an incredibly moist and tender crumb that practically melts in your mouth. The secret lies in a carefully balanced combination of ingredients and techniques, ensuring every bite is supremely soft and delightful.
Fluffy, Tangy Cream Cheese Frosting: The generous layers of light, airy, and perfectly tangy cream cheese frosting provide the ideal counterpoint to the sweet coconut cake. It’s the kind of frosting you’ll want to savor on its own, but it truly shines when paired with the rich cake.
An Impressive Three-Layer Presentation: A towering three-layer cake instantly commands attention and makes a grand statement. Whether it’s the centerpiece of a birthday celebration, a holiday feast, or a special gathering, its elegant stature will undoubtedly impress your guests and elicit gasps of delight.
Optional Nut-Free Delight (or Pecan Perfection): This recipe is designed to be wonderfully delicious even without nuts, perfect for those with allergies or simply preferring a pure coconut experience. However, for those who adore the crunch and earthy flavor of pecans, incorporating them is a fantastic way to add another dimension to this already incredible dessert.

I recall serving this cake after a particularly indulgent gourmet dinner club meal. Despite feeling completely satisfied, the allure of this Italian Cream Cake was irresistible. I tried to limit myself, but the rich, complex flavors and luxurious texture were so captivating that I had to actively restrain myself from licking the plate clean. It’s that good – a truly rich and delicious experience from start to finish!

Essential Ingredient Notes for Your Italian Cream Cake

Baking success often hinges on the quality and proper preparation of your ingredients. Before you begin, take a moment to gather and prepare everything:

Pantry and Refrigerator Staples: Ensure you have your basics on hand: granulated sugar, unsalted butter, large eggs, baking soda, salt, all-purpose flour, pure vanilla extract, and powdered sugar for the frosting.
Shortening: Often overlooked in modern baking, shortening plays a crucial role in achieving the remarkably tender and lofty texture of this particular cake. It contributes to a lighter crumb than butter alone.
Buttermilk: This acidic ingredient is a powerhouse for adding exceptional moisture and a subtle tang to the cake, reacting with the baking soda to create a beautifully airy structure.

PRO-Tip: No buttermilk on hand? Don’t fret! You can easily make a substitute. Pour one tablespoon of either fresh lemon juice or a neutral-flavored white vinegar into a liquid measuring cup. Then, add enough regular milk (dairy or non-dairy, though whole milk works best) to reach the 1-cup mark. Stir gently and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes. The milk will curdle slightly, signaling it’s ready to use as buttermilk.
Sweetened Coconut Flakes: These provide the signature coconut flavor and delicate texture. Using sweetened flakes ensures the cake has that lovely, slightly chewy coconut element throughout. Brands like Angelflake are excellent choices.
Vanilla Extract: Always opt for pure vanilla extract over imitation. The depth of flavor it imparts makes a noticeable difference in the final taste of both the cake and the frosting.
Powdered Sugar (Confectioners’ Sugar): Essential for a smooth, lump-free frosting.

PRO-Tip: Sifting your powdered sugar before mixing is a vital step for achieving the silkiest, most cloud-like cream cheese frosting possible. Don’t skip this!
Cream Cheese: The star of the frosting! For the smoothest, most homogenous frosting texture, ensure your cream cheese is at room temperature. Cold cream cheese will result in a lumpy frosting that’s difficult to spread.

A side view of the Italian Cream Cake, showcasing its impressive height and three distinct layers, generously covered in fluffy cream cheese frosting, presented on an elegant white serving plate.

Mastering the Art of Italian Cream Cake: Expert Baking Tips

Creating this Italian Cream Cake is a rewarding experience, and with a few expert tips, you can ensure a flawless, bakery-quality result every time. The use of buttermilk is truly one of the greatest secrets to an outrageously moist and tender cake. It’s a fundamental element in many of my favorite recipes, like these Coconut Cupcakes, where its contribution to deliciousness is undeniable. The technique of alternately adding wet and dry ingredients, combined with the magic of buttermilk, practically guarantees a spectacular dessert that will impress everyone.

Here’s how to achieve perfection:

Room Temperature Ingredients are Key:

PRO-Tip: Always use room temperature ingredients, especially for eggs, butter, and cream cheese. This allows them to emulsify and combine more easily and thoroughly, resulting in a smoother batter and a lighter, more consistent cake and frosting texture. Plan ahead and take them out of the refrigerator at least an hour before you start baking.
Creaming Method Mastery: Begin by creaming together the sugar, butter, and shortening thoroughly until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color. This process incorporates air, which is crucial for the cake’s tender crumb.
Gentle Folding of Egg Whites: After beating your egg whites to stiff peaks, gently fold them into the batter with a spatula, rather than using your mixer. Folding is a delicate technique designed to incorporate air without deflating the whites. If the egg whites are deflated, your cake batter will be too dense, and the final cake won’t be as light and airy.
Evenly Divided Layers for Professional Presentation:

PRO-Tip: For beautifully even cake layers that stack perfectly, use a kitchen scale to weigh your batter after dividing it among the three prepared pans. This ensures each layer bakes uniformly and contributes to a professional, balanced appearance.
Testing for Doneness: Don’t rely solely on timing. Test your cakes for doneness before removing them from the oven. Insert a clean toothpick into the center of each cake; if it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached, the cake is done. If you’re still uncertain, an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should register around 205-210 degrees Fahrenheit for a perfectly baked cake, as recommended by culinary experts.
Proper Cooling Procedure: Allow the cakes to cool in their pans for precisely 10 minutes before carefully inverting them onto a wire cooling rack. Cooling too long in the pan can cause the cakes to stick, while removing them too soon can lead to breakage.

Just last week, I brought this magnificent 3-layer coconut cake to my book club dinner, and it elicited the same delighted “swoons” from my girlfriends that I experienced with my initial taste. To elevate its decadence, I prepared a batch and a half of the cream cheese frosting (the recipe provided here reflects a single batch, so adjust accordingly if you desire extra frosting). This extra frosting made an already rich cake even more luxurious. With a luscious batter bursting with coconut flavor, crowned by generous layers of tangy cream cheese buttercream, this Italian Cream Cake is truly a show-stopper that promises to be the highlight of any dessert table.

An overhead shot capturing the full glory of a frosted Italian Cream Cake, adorned with coconut flakes, presented on a pristine white cake plate.

Advanced Tips for Perfecting Your Italian Cream Cake

Beyond the basics, here are a few more pro insights to help you perfect your Italian Cream Cake and make it truly your own:

Maintaining Ideal Ingredient Temperatures:

PRO-Tip: Reiterate the importance of room temperature eggs, butter, and cream cheese. This cannot be stressed enough for a smooth batter and creamy frosting.
Customizing with Pecans:

PRO-Tip: While this is a phenomenal nut-free Italian Cream Cake, you have the option to add a cup of chopped, toasted pecans to the batter if that’s your preference. The nutty crunch provides a delightful contrast to the soft cake and creamy frosting.
Toasting Nuts for Enhanced Flavor: If you choose to add pecans, take the extra step to toast them. Spread the chopped pecans on a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175°C) for about 5-10 minutes, or until fragrant and lightly browned. This process brings out their essential oils and deepens their flavor significantly. Be sure to watch them carefully and stir a few times, as nuts can burn quickly.
Elegant Garnish Options: For a beautiful presentation, consider using pecan halves to garnish the top of the cake, especially if you’ve added nuts to the batter. This offers a visual cue to what deliciousness lies within. Alternatively, a delicate ring of coconut flakes (affiliate link) on top of the frosting is a classic and elegant way to highlight the cake’s primary flavor.
The Role of Shortening: Don’t be deterred by the inclusion of shortening in this recipe. While many of my other recipes rely solely on butter for fat, the combination of butter and shortening here is intentional and beneficial. Butter contributes its rich, appealing flavor, but as experts like King Arthur Flour explain, when shortening is creamed with sugar, it creates a wonderfully tender, lofty, and light crumb that is difficult to achieve with butter alone. It’s a texture secret worth embracing!
Generous Frosting for the Win:

PRO-Tip: If you, like me, believe that there’s no such thing as too much cream cheese frosting, I highly recommend making a batch and a half of the frosting. This ensures thick, dreamy layers and plenty for decorating, taking your cake from delicious to utterly divine!

A close-up of a slice of Italian Cream Cake, perfectly showcasing its texture and the thick, creamy frosting, presented on a white dessert plate.

Frequently Asked Questions About Italian Cream Cake

Is Italian Cream Cake Truly Italian?

Despite its name, the origins of Italian Cream Cake are a bit of a mystery, with stronger ties to the American South than to Italy itself. While some culinary historians suggest possible links to Renaissance Italy, no written recipes for a cake like this coconut delight appeared until the early 1900s. The first known recipe emerged from Canada, and a subsequent version was published in Plano, Texas, in 1937. It seems this cake has predominantly Southern American roots, evolving into the beloved classic we know today.

Does Italian Cream Cake Need to Be Refrigerated?

Yes, absolutely. Any cake adorned with a cream cheese frosting, like this Italian Cream Cake, should be refrigerated due to the dairy content in the frosting. Stored properly in the refrigerator, your cake will remain fresh and delicious for up to 3 days. To prevent the cake from drying out and to protect the cut surfaces, ensure it is covered tightly with plastic wrap or stored in an airtight cake carrier.

PRO-Tip: For the best serving experience, remove the cake from the refrigerator and allow it to come to room temperature for about an hour before slicing and serving. This allows the cream cheese frosting to soften slightly, becoming even creamier and more enjoyable, enhancing the overall flavor and texture of the cake.

Can You Freeze Italian Cream Cake?

Yes, Italian Cream Cake freezes exceptionally well, making it a fantastic make-ahead option! You can freeze it for up to 3 months. To freeze, ensure the cake is thoroughly cooled, then wrap it tightly in several layers of plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil, to prevent freezer burn and keep it airtight.

Pro-Tip for Freezing Frosted Cake: To prevent the plastic wrap from sticking to the delicate frosting, place the unfrosted or lightly frosted cake in the freezer for about 1-2 hours until the frosting is firm to the touch. Once hardened, you can proceed with wrapping it tightly. When you’re ready to enjoy it, defrost the cake overnight in the refrigerator. Remember to remove the plastic wrap and foil before defrosting to avoid condensation issues.

Alternatively, you can freeze the unfrosted cake layers ahead of time. Once thawed, prepare the fresh cream cheese frosting and assemble the cake a day or so before you plan to serve it. This method often yields the freshest-tasting result.

Explore More Irresistible Coconut and Dessert Recipes

If you’ve fallen in love with the delightful flavors of this Italian Cream Cake, you’re in for a treat! Here are more fantastic recipes that celebrate coconut and other sweet indulgences:

Coconut Cheesecake Bars Recipe from Crunchy Creamy Sweet: The perfect solution for satisfying both your coconut and cheesecake cravings in one bite.
Coconut Cupcakes: One of my all-time favorite individual coconut treats, these are always a crowd-pleaser.
Pistachio Coconut Granola: A delicious and wholesome way to add a touch of coconut to your morning routine.
Coconut Crusted Chocolate Ganache Pie: An incredibly rich and easy dessert made with only four ingredients, featuring a delightful coconut crust and a decadent chocolate ganache filling.
White Chocolate Coconut Truffles: Another dreamy, simple recipe requiring just four ingredients for an elegant bite-sized treat.
Chocolate Dipped Coconut Macaroons: A classic cookie elevated with a dip in rich melted chocolate.
Mounds Bar Recipe: Recreate the iconic candy bar experience with these homemade Mounds Bars.
More Delicious Dessert Recipes: Discover a wide array of sweet endings for any occasion.
More Spectacular Cake Recipes: If you love baking cakes, this collection is for you!

Stay connected with us and share your culinary creations! Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Don’t forget to tag us when you try one of our recipes! And if you absolutely love the results, please consider leaving a 5-star rating in the recipe card below – your feedback means the world to us.

The Recipe:

Italian Cream Cake Recipe

Prep Time
30 minutes

Cook Time
30 minutes

Total Time
1 hour

Yield
12 servings

A spectacular three-layer coconut cake with fluffy cream cheese frosting, perfect for any celebration!

Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars based on 69 reviews.

Ingredients

For the Cake:

2 cups granulated sugar
½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick), at room temperature
½ cup shortening
5 large eggs, separated
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk
2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted (measure, then sift)
1 cup sweetened coconut flakes (such as Angelflake brand)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

For the Cream Cheese Frosting (consider an extra half batch for thicker layers):

1 ½ pounds powdered sugar, sifted
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 cup pecans, chopped (optional; for a nut-free version, omit)
Milk, as needed, to thin frosting to desired consistency
Extra coconut flakes or pecan halves, to garnish (if desired)

Instructions

Prepare Oven and Pans: Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175°C). Grease and flour three 8-inch round baking pans, or generously spray them with a baking spray containing flour (like Baker’s Joy). Set aside.
Cream Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the granulated sugar, room temperature butter, and shortening until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color. Add the egg yolks one at a time, beating well after each addition until fully incorporated.
Combine Dry and Wet Alternately: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the sifted flour and salt. In a small bowl or cup, dissolve the baking soda in the buttermilk. Gradually add the flour mixture alternately with the buttermilk mixture to the creamed butter mixture, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix on low speed until just combined after each addition, being careful not to overmix. Stir in the sweetened coconut flakes until evenly distributed.
Fold in Egg Whites: In a clean, separate bowl, beat the 5 egg whites until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the beaten egg whites into the cake batter using a spatula, incorporating them carefully to maintain aeration. Finally, fold in the vanilla extract.
Divide and Bake: Divide the batter evenly among the three prepared 8-inch pans. For best results and even layers, use a kitchen scale to ensure each pan contains approximately the same amount of batter. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of each cake comes out clean.
Cool Cakes: Allow the cakes to cool in their pans on a wire rack for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, carefully invert the cakes onto the wire racks to cool completely before frosting. Ensure they are fully cooled to prevent the frosting from melting.
Prepare and Frost: While the cakes cool, prepare the frosting. In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat the room temperature cream cheese and room temperature butter together until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, pure vanilla extract, and chopped pecans (if using). Drizzle in milk, one tablespoon at a time, until the frosting reaches a smooth, spreadable consistency. Frost the cooled cake layers, stacking them carefully. For a classic finish, sprinkle the top of the cake with additional coconut flakes or arrange pecan halves, if desired.

Notes

Total recipe time does not include the essential cooling time for the cake layers.

For a truly decadent cake with thicker frosting layers, consider making an extra half batch of the cream cheese frosting.

This exquisite recipe is adapted from a Southern Living classic.

A video demonstration of this Italian Cream Cake recipe can be found on our website, offering visual guidance for each step to help you achieve perfect results!

HOW MUCH DID YOU LOVE THIS RECIPE?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest!