Quick Italian Cream Cake (Printable)
Moist coconut-pecan cake with creamy frosting
# What You’ll Need:
→ Cake
01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
03 - 1 tsp baking soda
04 - ½ tsp salt
05 - 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
06 - ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
07 - ½ cup vegetable oil
08 - 3 large eggs
09 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
10 - 1 tsp almond extract
11 - 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
12 - ½ cup chopped pecans
→ Cream Cheese Frosting
13 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
14 - ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
15 - 3-4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
16 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
17 - 2 tbsp milk as needed
→ Topping
18 - ¼ cup chopped pecans, toasted
19 - ¼ cup sweetened shredded coconut, toasted
# How-to Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9x13-inch or two 8-inch round cake pans.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt until well blended.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk buttermilk, melted butter, oil, eggs, vanilla, and almond extract until smooth.
04 - Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Mix just until combined, being careful not to overmix.
05 - Gently fold in shredded coconut and chopped pecans until evenly distributed.
06 - Pour batter into prepared pan(s). Bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
07 - Let cake cool completely in pan on a wire rack before frosting.
08 - Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla, mixing until fluffy. Add milk as needed for spreadable consistency.
09 - Frost cooled cake evenly. Sprinkle with toasted pecans and coconut on top.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The buttermilk keeps it incredibly moist for days, so it actually tastes better on day two
- That cream cheese frosting balances the sweetness perfectly, making each bite feel indulgent but not cloying
02 -
- Room temperature ingredients for the frosting are absolutely mandatory or you will end up with lumpy, frustrating frosting
- Let the cake cool completely before frosting or the frosting will melt right off and you will be so disappointed
03 -
- Toast your pecans and coconut topping in a dry pan over medium heat, watching constantly because they go from perfectly toasted to burned in seconds
- The almond extract is the signature flavor, so do not be tempted to skip it or substitute with more vanilla