Italian Cream Cake is an egg rich three layer yellow cake that is filled with coconut and toasted pecans. It's a special occasion dessert that we've made for birthdays, celebrations, and family gatherings. A rich cream cheese and toasted pecan frosting tops the cake and fills the layers. Toasted coconut tops the beautiful cake. Listen to the oohs and aahs when you present the cake and the yums after the first bite!
For this recipe you will need: buttermilk, baking soda, eggs, butter, sugar, shortening, all-purpose flour, vanilla extract, pecans, coconut flakes, cream cheese, coconut extract, powdered sugar.
Does your family have a special birthday tradition? We do. The birthday honoree picks the type of cake, like this Italian Cream Cake, and the entire dinner or lunch now that they're adults, for his or her special occasion.
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The birthday cake tradition.
When our kids were little, we would always invite the grandparents over for the celebration. We'd make a big production of keeping the actual cake a surprise.
This, you know, was to build the tension!
All day the excitement would build because they couldn't see the cake until evening.
Those were such wonderful days! The birthday parties weren't big just the family. But we made the birthday very, very special.
It was so much fun I would make the cakes when the kids napped. I kept everything a secret, they didn't have a clue what the theme was.
The real challenge was trying to find a good hiding spot! You know how nosey little ones can be.
The first birthday cake
I remember the first cake I decorated! It was a Raggedy Ann cake. And if I do say so myself, it was adorable!!
I knew the little princess would be so excited. Michelle loved her Raggedy Ann Dolls.
I hid the decorated cake on the back porch. The same back porch that we had painted the week before with an oil-based formula.
It was the perfect hiding place! The little ones didn't go out there, and besides the odor from the paint seemed gone.
The beautiful Raggedy Ann Cake ended up in the trash. Inedible!!! It tasted like the original odor of the paint. ????
It was a sad moment *sigh* but the ice cream and presents helped her to forget.
The special occasion Italian Cream Cake.
For the past 30 years, the birthday cake requested by our daughter is always for Italian Cream Cake. Although this rich yellow cake doesn't have any Italian roots, it's delicious nonetheless.
I tried to find the origin of the cake, the only thing I found was that the first written recipe for an Italian Cream Cake was in 1937.
I've made this recipe, a lot, as you can see by the stains on the card. The back of the card is even worse.
This recipe is such a tradition I know exactly where the card is -- at all times. ????
Italian cream cake evolves.
When I was looking for the history of Italian Cream Cake on the Internet, I found that there are many versions. There are also countless printings for this yellow cake, and most of the recipes are basically the same.
We've tweaked our Italian Cream Cake recipe a little and we believe that it's improved the flavor if that's possible. ????
If you've been making Italian Cream Cake, try toasting the nuts and coconut and see if that doesn't improve the flavor.
Next special occasion try out our special coconut pecan yellow cake. You'll find that it truly is an outstanding dessert!! And if you're a cookie lover who adores chocolate and coconut, try our Chocolate Dipped Coconut Macaroon recipe.
And if you can't get enough of tropical flavors, try our classic Hummingbird Cake recipe that is loaded with banana, pineapple, coconut, and toasted pecans in the three layer dessert.
If you love Italian desserts, try out our excellent Italian Love Cake recipe - the name says it all.
More Italian desserts to try
- Cannoli Cake
- Italian Plum Torte
- Slow Cooker Polenta Cake With Caramelized Pears
- Tiramisu Cake With Zabaglione Topping
These are some of the birthday cakes I've made our daughter Michelle.
Tutti a tavola è pronto!
Un caro saluto e alla prossima.
YOU MAY NEED. . .
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📖 Recipe
Italian Cream Cake with Toasted Coconut
Ingredients
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 5 eggs separated
- 1 stick butter softened
- 2 cups 400 grams or 14 ⅛ oz. sugar
- ½ cup shortening - I use the butter flavored Crisco
- 2 cups 250 grams or 8 ¾ oz. all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1 ½ cups 139 ½ grams or 5 oz. loosely packed coconut flakes
- Icing
- 1 Large package cream cheese 8 oz. at room temperature
- 1 stick butter softened
- 1 box 1 lb. powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- ½ teaspoon coconut extract
- 1 cup toasted chopped pecans
- 1 cup toasted shredded coconut
- Prepare 3 - 8 inch cake pans by greasing and flouring the bottom and sides. I also cut round pieces of parchment paper to line the very bottom of each pan.
Instructions
- Combine soda and buttermilk and set aside.
- In a mixing bowl cream sugar, butter and shortening until light and fluffy.
- Add egg yolks one at a time. Beat well after each addition.
- Add buttermilk and flour a little at a time.
- Stir in vanilla. Set aside.
- In another mixing bowl beat egg whites until stiff, but not dry.
- Gently fold the egg batter into the egg whites making sure everything is mixed.
- Add the coconut and nuts.
- Pour into the 3 prepared 8-inch cake pans.
- Bake at 325 F for 30 minutes or until a wooden toothpick poked into the middle of the cake comes out clean.
- Let the pans cool on wire racks for 10 minutes; remove from pans, then cool completely on wire racks sprayed with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Icing
- With an electric mixer beat the cream cheese with the butter on high speed until fluffy.
- Reduce the speed and blend in the powdered sugar, vanilla and coconut extract.
- Beat well until it is smooth and light.
- Fold in the toasted pecans.
- Spread the frosting between the layers and on the sides and top of the cake.
- Sprinkle with the toasted coconut.
Notes
- I use a wooden skewer to anchor the three layers together. It makes frosting the cake easier and the layers don't shift. Put the skewer right through the middle of the cake and then snip off the top that sticks out. The frosting will conceal the skewer and it's easy to locate once you begin to slice the cake.
Nutrition
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Shelly
I am the lucky beneficiary of this cake. Fortunate for me, my one son does not like coconut (and liking coconut is a must with this cake) - so I only need to share with my husband and college son (who is rarely around). Admittedly, I have stopped by my parents house, picked up the cake and sat down at home with a fork and glass of cold milk (no bowl or plate required). The cake is heaven on earth!
Thank you mom for making this delicious cake year after year 🙂
Marisa Franca
It's my privilege, since I have such a wonderful, talented and loving daughter. I couldn't have asked for better!!
ED
Do you have a conversion on baking temps and times if I’m doing two 9” rounds instead of three 8” rounds?
Marisa Franca
Hello ED! If you're using two - 9 X 2 inch round pans, each pan will hold approximately 8 cups for a total of 16 cups. A 8 X 2 inch round pan will hold approximately 6 cups and using 3 pans you'll get a total of 18 cups. SO!!If the new pan makes the batter shallower than in the original recipe, this will cause the heat to reach the center of the pan more quickly and you will have more evaporation. To solve this problem you need to shorten the baking time and raise the temperature of the oven slightly. Correspondingly, if the new pan makes the batter deeper than in the original recipe, this will cause less evaporation and the batter will take longer to cook. To solve this problem you need to lengthen the baking time and lower the temperature of the oven slightly. This will keep the batter from over-browning. I hope this helps.
bennrobin
I love Italian Cream cake. This looks so delicious. I think I will make it this weekend.
Robin
Amanda
Oh no! What a thing to have happened to that adorable Raggedy Ann cake! You did a beautiful job on it and it's great that you got a picture. Italian Cream Cake is an excellent choice too, and one of my favorites. I bet toasting the coconut and pecans really gives it such a great flavor. Also, I totally had to pause at the picture of the recipe card, because your handwriting is uncannily similar to my mom's! I feel like I'm looking at one of her cards! 🙂
Dana
Lol, I love that Raggedy Ann cake! I had the dolls growing up. That photo just screams nostalgia. This Italian cream cake looks and sounds amazing, though. I'm terrible at decorating cakes, but I just might have to try because this is hard to pass on.
Sean@Diversivore
Ahhh there's so much here I love in a cake! Love the texture/crumb of the cake itself, the approach to the frosting, the layering, and so much more! I've done a few cakes that are leavened with soda and buttermilk and quite liked the result. As long as the quantities are nicely balanced (which they certainly seem to be here) you get a nice airy result without a bitter, metallic from the baking soda (or baking powder). Great recipe!
Annemarie
We do the same with the birthday person picking what they want to eat and have for dessert. It makes the day more special I think! Though we don't hide the cake, which I guess is lucky since we've never had to throw away a cake either. 🙂 As for your Italian Cream Cake, I can see why your daughter always asks for it. It looks amazing! And I'll keep in mind the tips to toast the coconut and the nuts.
Marisa Franca
I'm still a kid at heart! I love making birthday surprises and I still tease the kids about their presents.
Tracy Koslicki
Oh my gosh what a sweet birthday tradition! And that raggedy ann doll cake is SO cute! I love the production around the unveiling of the cake - how fun! This Italian Cream Cake definitely sounds like it would be on my birthday wish list!!
Debra
This cake looks delicious. What I like even more about it is the story behind it. Keeping traditions alive and remembering those who came before us is such a special thing to do.
Lisa
In my opinion, the best recipes are from the spattered index cards from WAY BACK. I have more than my share of them -- and if I went into my Mom's or grandmother's kitchen, I can only imagine the treasure I'd find. I can see why your Italian Cream Cake is so popular -- The coconut and nuts are what put it over the top for me. Not to mention THREE WHOLE LAYERS OF CAKE! BTW - I had a Raggedy Ann as a kid (my brother had Dapper Dan) and your cake brought back memories.
Jennifer Bigler
We have the same tradition. The kids and hubby pick their cake and the meals we eat for the day. I'm lucky to just get out of cooking on my birthday, lol. I LOVE the Raggedy Anne cake. How disappointing about the cake. This Italian Cream Cake is full of all my favorite flavors. I love pecans and coconuts together and cream cheese frosting is my weakness!
Carmy
This cake looks amazing! I love the frosting, it is so pretty. I'm so sad about the raggedy ann cake though - it looked so cute and it's too bad it was inedible!
Jolina
Now that is what I'd want for my birthday! It looks scrumptious. Love how it's evolved through the years.
Veena Azmanov
Marisa, I can only imagine how delicious this cake tastes. The sound of toasted coconut flakes, toasted pecans, and all that cream cheese is already a winner in my book. I cannot wait to try your version of this Italian cream cake.
Arlene Mobley
Oh my, this is an amazing cake! I can only imagine how delicious it is.
Marisa Franca
Hi, Arlene!! It's withstood the test of time.
Denise
As I get older, I just love nuts in my dessert. This not only has pecans but coconut too! I love your cake tradition too. Last year for my birthday all I cared about was getting the right cake!
Marisa Franca
A birthday cake is very special to the birthday person!! I agree, Denise, it is important to have it be just right.
Gloria
This is my kind of cake. I can just imagine how delicious this tastes. You are right, this would make the perfect celebration cake for any occasion. Maybe I can convince someone to bake this for my birthday....or I will just bake it myself!! This would be a true crowd pleaser, and guests will be fighting over the last few crumbs.
Marisa Franca
Well, if you lived nearby I'd bake the cake for you!!
Julia
What a cute story about the cake hidden on the porch. I bet it was sad and disappointing back then, but now, all these years later, it's one of the more memorable birthdays due to that mishap.
This Italian Cream Cake sounds and looks spectacular! With all the cream cheese and pecans and coconut! So many delicious and complimentary flavours!
Marisa Franca
Hi, Julia! It's a story that we now can laugh about. Back then it was very disappointing for Michelle and the grandparents.
swathi
Thanks for sharing this delicious coconut cake, I love have coconut in everything. Yes birthday's are always special when you make cake from scratch at home then it is extra special.
Heather
This looks amazing! Pecans and coconut are my favorite combination and this cake looks moist and so decadent! Absolutely a must try
Calleigh
This is a good looking cake, now I'm craving for one bite.. just a bite 🙂 so my waistline won't be screaming for help.
Marisa Franca
Hi, Calleigh! It certainly is a treat we make for special occasions.
Lauren
I could sit and eat that entire cake right now, it looks SO GOOD.
Marisa Franca
Hi, Lauren! It certainly is good.
Karyl Henry
Oh my gosh that Raggedy Ann cake was cute! I had Italian cream cake at an Italian restaurant last summer and it was absolutely fabulous. I definitely think toasting the nuts and coconut would add another great layer of flavor
Marisa Franca
Hi, Karyl! Toasting the nuts and coconut makes all the difference in the world.
Cathleen @ A Taste of Madness
This cake looks amazing!!
The birthday tradition for me is my fiance will bake me a cake. Which is really special because he is not a baker at all!
Marisa Franca
I'm dying to know what kind of cake he's going to bake.
Jennifer M.
I love the tradition of the surprise birthday cake! I have never had an Italian Creme Cake, but can not wait to try yours, it looks amazing!
Marisa Franca
Thank you, Jennifer. Once you try it you won't forget it.
Claudia Lamascolo
i' ve been eyeing this cake today at every chance I get. YOu have me convinced to make this recipe. Especially when I saw that index card... So cool and lovely brings me back a few years when mom was alive.
Marisa Franca
Ciao, Claudia! I probably should laminate that recipe card. ????
Karyn Ryan
I love baking and this cake is right up my street. It looks so good I love this post, the story and the tradition.. you were lucky you kept a photo of your raggedy Anne Cake.. You are an amazing baker.. I love all your recipes
Marisa Franca
Thank you, Karyn! That's really sweet of you to say. When I had little ones I loved baking them a special cake. Lots of fun.
Marie
Good Morning Marissa! I'm not much of a baker but I sure would like to attempt this! I will come back and check out your blog when I have more time. xox Marie
Marisa Franca
You are a fantastic cook so I believe that baking will not be that much out of your expertise.Please come back any time and offer comments. Happy Anniversary!
Yvonne @ StoneGable
What a wonderful tradition... and you even have a cute story to go along with it! Thanks for this delicious cake! It's on my radar to make this fall!
Marisa Franca
Since that time I've learned my lesson with paint and cakes.