Indulge in this luxurious Italian Coconut Cream Cake, combining the richness of cream cheese frosting with the tropical flavor of coconut. This cake is perfect for special occasions or any time you want to treat yourself and your loved ones to a decadent dessert. With its moist layers and creamy frosting, it’s sure to become a favorite.
Ingredients
- Cake:
- 1 stick butter, room temperature
- 1/2 cup shortening (Crisco)
- 2 cups sugar
- 5 egg yolks
- 5 egg whites, stiffly beaten
- 2 cups cake flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 cup chopped pecan nuts
- 1 can or 1 bag of coconut flakes
- Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 stick butter, softened
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 3 3/4 cups powdered sugar
Directions
- Prepare Oven and Pans: Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease and flour two or three 9-inch round cake pans.
- Mix Cake Batter: Cream butter and shortening, add sugar, and beat until smooth. Mix in egg yolks. Combine flour and baking soda and add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk. Stir in vanilla, coconut, and pecans. Fold in stiffly beaten egg whites.
- Bake: Pour batter into prepared pans. If using two pans, bake for 35-40 minutes; for three pans, bake for 30 minutes. Let cakes cool completely.
- Prepare Frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, mixing until creamy.
- Assemble Cake: Spread frosting between layers and on top of the cake. Garnish with reserved coconut and chopped pecans.
Conclusion and Tips
This Italian Coconut Cream Cake is a showstopper dessert perfect for any gathering. Ensure the cake is completely cooled before frosting to prevent melting. For an added twist, toast the coconut flakes before mixing them into the batter. Enjoy this creamy, dreamy cake with your loved ones and watch it disappear!
Have you tried this recipe? Share your tips and favorite variations in the comments below. What’s your go-to special occasion cake?