This made from scratch Italian cream cake is all kinds of indulgent! Simple to make, this sheet cake is perfectly moist and sweet and every bite is truly delicious!
Table of Contents
Italian Cream Sheet Cake
You are really in for a treat with this recipe!
This Italian cream cake is sweet and rich and it’s so simple to make from scratch. Topped with a cream cheese and pecan frosting, it’s perfect to serve at any occasion.
Be sure to try my Texas chocolate sheet cake and banana cake with Kahlua whipped cream.
Why you’ll love this Italian Cream Cake recipe:
- GREAT FOR HOLIDAYS: Obviously this cake can be enjoyed at any time, but it’s perfect for occasions. It makes a delicious Easter cake, and it’s great for Christmas too.
- EASY: This dessert is made from scratch, but it’s super simple to make with no advanced techniques.
- INDULGENT: There is nothing shy about this cake! You are sure to impress with this recipe!
How to make Italian Cream Cake with Cream Cheese Pecan Frosting
Be sure to see the recipe card below for full ingredients & instructions!
- Separate the eggs and beat the whites to form stiff peaks.
- Beat together the butter and shortening and add in the sugar before beating in the egg yolks.
- Whisk together the flour and salt.
- Dissolve the baking soda in the buttermilk.
- Add the flour and buttermilk mixes to the butter mix.
- Stir in the vanilla, coconut, pecans and coconut extract and fold in the egg whites.
- Pour the batter into a greased pan and bake.
- Let cool before frosting.
How long does it keep?
Once cooled and frosted, this Italian cream cake can be refrigerated (covered) up to 3 days, although it is best eaten within 24 hours.
Can you freeze it?
If you want to increase the shelf life of the cake it can be frozen with or without frosting, though I find it easier to freeze it without.
It will freeze well for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature if unfrosted and in the fridge overnight if frosted.
What flavor is this cake?
This Italian cream cake is flavored with coconut and vanilla. The coconut works so well with the pecans and cream cheese frosting.
Tips!
- If cream of coconut isn’t available, use coconut milk or just leave it out and add 1/3 cup sour cream instead of ¼ cup.
- When you add in the beaten egg whites, gently fold them in rather than stir so that you don’t loose the air.
- Let the cake cool completely before frosting. If easier, you can make the cake the day before and frost it on the day of serving.
This Italian cream cake is all kinds of wonderful! It’s a firm favorite in our house and I know you’ll love this too!
More Easy Cake Recipes we Love
If you make this recipe be sure to upload a photo in the comment section below or leave a rating. Enjoy!
Recipe
Italian Cream Cake with Cream Cheese Pecan Frosting
Prep: 30 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 1 hour
Serves18 slices
This made from scratch Italian cream cake is all kinds of indulgent! Simple to make, this sheet cake is perfectly moist and sweet and every bite is truly delicious!
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 5 large eggs 250 grams, room temperature and separated
- ½ cup unsalted butter 113 grams, room temperature (1 stick)
- ½ cup vegetable shortening 92 grams (½ stick)
- 2 cups granulated sugar 400 grams
- 2 cups all-purpose flour 240 grams
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt 3 grams
- 1¼ teaspoons baking soda 8 grams
- 1 cup buttermilk 227 grams, room temperature (SEE NOTE)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 4 grams
- 1 teaspoon coconut extract 4 grams, optional
- 1 cup chopped pecans 114 grams, toasted
- 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut 85 grams, toasted
For the Cream Cheese Pecan Frosting
- ¾ cup unsalted butter 170 grams, room temperature (1½ sticks)
- 2¼ cups powdered sugar 254 grams
- ¼ cup cream of coconut 45 grams, such as Coco López (SEE NOTE)
- ¼ cup sour cream 57 grams, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 4 grams
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 16 ounces cream cheese 454 grams, room temperature (2 bricks)
- ¾ cup whole pecans 94 grams, toasted
Instructions
For the Cake
- Adjust oven rack to the middle position and preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish or 3 (8-inch) round cake pans with baking spray. Set aside.
- Separate the eggs (yolks and whites) into separate bowls and use a hand mixer to beat the egg whites just to stiff peaks. Set the beaten whites and yolks aside.5 large eggs
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and shortening together at medium speed until creamy and smooth, about 2 minutes.½ cup unsalted butter, ½ cup vegetable shortening
- Add the sugar and beat until lighter in color and fluffier, about 3 minutes.2 cups granulated sugar
- Add the egg yolks, beating until incorporated.
- In a medium bowl, whisk the flour and salt together.2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- In a separate medium bowl, dissolve the baking soda in the buttermilk.1 cup buttermilk, 1¼ teaspoons baking soda
- Add the flour mixture to butter/sugar/egg, mixture alternately with the buttermilk/baking soda mixture in 3 additions; beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Beat just until incorporated after each addition.
- Stir in the vanilla and coconut extracts, toasted pecans, and coconut.1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon coconut extract, 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut, 1 cup chopped pecans
- Fold in the beaten egg whites.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan(s). For a 9×13-inch cake, bake 30-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. For 8-inch round cakes, bake 25-30 minutes.
- Cool the 9×13 cake in the pan set on a wire rack. If baking round cakes, remove them from the pans after 10 minutes. Cool completely on the wire racks, about 2 hours.
For the Cream Cheese Pecan Frosting
- While the cakes cool, make the frosting. Fit a stand mixer with the paddle attachment. Beat the butter and sugar together on low speed until mixed, about 1 minute. Increase the speed to medium-high and beat an additional 2 minutes, or until paler in color and fluffy. Add the cream of coconut, sour cream, vanilla extract, and salt. Beat until smooth, about 1 minute. Add the cream cheese, about 1 tablespoon at a time, and beat until incorporated, about 2 minutes. Fold in the toasted pecans and refrigerate until ready to use.¾ cup unsalted butter, 2¼ cups powdered sugar, ¼ cup cream of coconut, ¼ cup sour cream, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, 16 ounces cream cheese, ¾ cup whole pecans
- If frosting an 8-inch, 3-layer cake, use about 1½ cups frosting between layers and spread the remaining frosting over the top and sides.
- If frosting a 9×13-inch cake, spread desired amount of frosting on the top of the cake and smooth it out. Keep covered.
Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!
Becky’s tips
- NOTE: If you don’t have buttermilk, follow this simple homemade buttermilk recipe.
- NOTE: If cream of coconut isn’t available, use coconut milk or just leave it out and add ⅓ cup sour cream instead of ¼ cup.
- When you add in the beaten egg whites, gently fold them in rather than stir so that you don’t loose the air.
- Let the cake cool completely before frosting. If easier, you can make the cake the day before and frost it on the day of serving.
Nutrition Information
Serving: 1slice Calories: 593kcal (30%) Carbohydrates: 57g (19%) Protein: 6g (12%) Fat: 39g (60%) Saturated Fat: 18g (113%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g Monounsaturated Fat: 13g Trans Fat: 1g Cholesterol: 108mg (36%) Sodium: 367mg (16%) Potassium: 151mg (4%) Fiber: 2g (8%) Sugar: 44g (49%) Vitamin A: 846IU (17%) Vitamin C: 1mg (1%) Calcium: 64mg (6%) Iron: 1mg (6%)
Did You Make This?I want to see! Be sure to upload an image below & tag @thecookierookie on social media!
I’d just buy a box cake and make the frosting
Whatever is best for you!