Description
Italian Cream Cake is a classic dessert loved for its rich, moist texture and the perfect balance of nutty flavors paired with luscious cream cheese frosting. This cake is ideal for special occasions or simply whenever you crave a decadent treat. With a combination of coconut flakes, toasted pecans, and hints of almond extract, every bite feels like a heavenly experience.
Ingredients
Cake:
- 2 ¼ cups cake flour
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 ½ teaspoons almond extract
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 4 large egg whites
- 1 cup sweetened coconut flakes
- 1 cup chopped pecans (toasted if desired)
Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 16 ounces cream cheese (room temperature)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ teaspoons almond extract
- 8 cups powdered sugar
- Toasted pecans (for decorating)
- Toasted coconut (for decorating)
Instructions
Cake:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease two 8-inch round cake pans.
- In a large bowl, whisk together cake flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add buttermilk, milk, vanilla, almond extract, and vegetable oil to dry ingredients. Beat until combined.
- In a separate bowl, whip egg whites until medium stiff peaks form.
- Gently fold egg whites into the batter until mostly incorporated.
- Fold in chopped pecans and coconut flakes.
- Divide batter evenly between the two pans.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the center springs back when pressed.
- Let cakes cool completely. For easier frosting, wrap cooled layers in plastic wrap and freeze 4 hours or overnight.
Cream Cheese Frosting:
- Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth and combined.
- Gradually add powdered sugar, 2-3 cups at a time, mixing on low speed until incorporated.
- Scrape bowl sides, add vanilla and almond extracts.
- Beat until frosting is smooth and fluffy.
Assembly:
- Frost one cake layer with cream cheese frosting.
- Place second cake layer on top and frost entire cake.
- Decorate with toasted pecans and toasted coconut flakes.
Notes
Serve the Italian Cream Cake chilled or at room temperature for the best flavor and texture. This cake pairs wonderfully with a cup of coffee or tea and makes a perfect dessert for celebrations or casual gatherings.
To store, keep the cake tightly covered in the refrigerator to preserve the freshness of the cream cheese frosting. Properly stored, it will stay fresh for up to 4-5 days.
For longer storage, you can freeze the cake. Wrap it securely in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. When ready to enjoy, thaw the cake overnight in the refrigerator before serving. This helps maintain its moist texture and rich flavor.