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:
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!
Italian Cream Cake with Cream Cheese Pecan Frosting
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 5 large eggs separated
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- ½ cup shortening
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon table salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1¼ teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon coconut extract or coconut milk optional
- 1 cup toasted sweetened shredded coconut
- 1 cup toasted chopped pecans
For the Cream Cheese Pecan Frosting:
- 12 tablespoons 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2¼ cups confectioners’ sugar powdered sugar
- ¼ cup cream of coconut see *note below
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon table salt
- 16 ounces cream cheese softened
- ¾ cup toasted pecans
Instructions
For the Cake:
- Adjust oven rack to middle positions and heat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish or 3 (8-inch) cake pans with baking spray.
- Separate the eggs (yolks and whites) into separate bowls and beat the egg whites just to stiff peaks. Set the beaten whites and yolks aside.
- Beat the butter and shortening at medium speed with an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat until creamy and smooth.
- Add sugar and beat until lighter in color and fluffier (about 3 minutes).
- Add egg yolks beating until incorporated.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour and salt.
- In a different medium bowl, dissolve the baking soda in the buttermilk.
- Add flour mixture to butter/sugar/egg mixture alternately with buttermilk/soda mixture in three additions; beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Beat just until incorporated after each addition.
- Stir in vanilla and coconut extracts, toasted pecans and coconut.
- Fold in the beaten egg whites.
- Pour 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.
- Frost with the Cream Cheese Pecan Frosting and…
- Enjoy!
For the Cream Cheese Pecan Frosting:
- Fit a stand mixer with the paddle attachment. Beat together butter and sugar, on low speed, until mixed about 1 minute. Increase speed to medium-high and beat an additional 2 minutes or until paler in color and fluffy. Add cream of coconut, sour cream, vanilla extract and salt. Beat until smooth, about 1 minute. Add cream cheese, about 1 tablespoon at a time, and beat until incorporated, about 2 minutes. Fold in toasted pecans and refrigerate until ready to use.
- 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.
- Cake can be refrigerated (covered) up to 3 days, but is best eaten within 24 hours.
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
- 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.
Nutrition Information
I’d just buy a box cake and make the frosting
Whatever is best for you!