Italian Cream Cake

 

 Italian Cream Cake is a classic dessert that is both beautiful and delicious. It is made with a light and fluffy vanilla cake that is filled with a creamy coconut pecan filling and frosted with a sweet cream cheese frosting. This cake is perfect for any occasion, but it is especially popular during the holidays.

 

Ingredients:

For the cake:

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

2 cups granulated sugar

4 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract  

1 cup milk

For the filling:

1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

1 cup coconut milk

1 cup chopped pecans

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

 

For the frosting:

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

3 cups powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.  

In a separate bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.  

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients alternately with the milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Beat until just combined.  

Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.  

Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto wire racks to cool completely.  

Make the filling: In a large bowl, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, coconut milk, pecans, and vanilla extract.

Make the frosting: In a large bowl, cream together the cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy. Beat in the powdered sugar and vanilla extract until smooth.

Assemble the cake: Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread with half of the filling. Top with the second cake layer and spread with the remaining filling. Frost the top and sides of the cake with the cream cheese frosting.  

Decorate the cake with additional pecans, if desired.

Tips:

To make the cake ahead of time, you can bake the cake layers and freeze them. Thaw the cake layers at room temperature before assembling the cake.

For a more decadent cake, you can add a layer of chocolate ganache between the cake layers.

You can also use a different type of frosting, such as a buttercream frosting.

Enjoy!

 

I hope you enjoy this delicious Italian Cream Cake recipe. It is a perfect dessert for any occasion.