Quick Italian Cream Cake: The Best Baking Recipe

Introduction

If you’re looking for a show-stopping dessert that’s as easy to make as it is delicious, this Quick Italian Cream Cake is a must-try. With its light, fluffy layers, rich coconut-pecan filling, and decadent cream cheese frosting, this cake is the perfect blend of classic Italian flavors and modern simplicity. Whether you need a crowd-pleasing centerpiece for a celebration or just want to treat your family, this recipe promises to impress—without hours in the kitchen.

Why Quick Italian Cream Cake Is a Crowd Favorite

This cake’s magic lies in how it delivers layers of flavor and texture—moist crumb, creamy frosting, crunchy pecans, and sweet coconut—all in a streamlined baking process. No need for special ingredients or equipment. The result is a beautiful, bakery-worthy dessert that you can create in under an hour, making it an unbeatable choice for busy bakers and dessert lovers alike.

The Secret to the Perfect Cream Cheese Frosting

A luscious, tangy cream cheese frosting is the hallmark of Italian Cream Cake. For foolproof results, use room-temperature cream cheese and butter. Beat until smooth, then slowly add powdered sugar for a thick, spreadable consistency. Finish with a touch of vanilla for depth. This silky frosting pairs beautifully with the nutty, coconut layers of the cake, making each bite irresistible.

How to Get a Moist, Fluffy Cake Every Time

The key to a perfect Italian Cream Cake is balancing richness and lightness. Using buttermilk or sour cream in the batter adds tang and ensures a moist crumb. Toasting coconut and pecans before folding into the batter deepens their flavor, while a quick whip of egg whites adds an airy lift.

Serving Suggestions for a Stunning Presentation

Decorate your finished cake by gently pressing extra toasted coconut and chopped pecans onto the frosting’s sides. Serve slightly chilled for the best texture, with fresh strawberries or a sprig of mint for color. Each slice looks gorgeous on a dessert plate, attracting attention at any gathering.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe makes one 9-inch double-layer cake, serving 12 generous slices. Each slice contains approximately 410 to 460 calories, depending on the amount of frosting and toasted nut garnish. It’s a special-occasion dessert meant to be shared and savored!

Quick Italian Cream Cake: Recipe Recap

Light, moist, and festooned with coconut, pecans, and dreamy frosting, this Quick Italian Cream Cake delivers bakery flavor with weeknight effort. Its unique blend of easy ingredients and luxurious taste makes it a top pick for stress-free entertaining and everyday celebrations.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate a smart shopping list for everything you’ll need, sorted by store section for a super-efficient grocery trip. It’s the simplest way to get quick baking projects like this on your meal plan!

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a small bowl, combine buttermilk (or sour cream) with vanilla extract.
4. In a large bowl, cream the butter, oil, and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each.
5. Gradually mix in the flour mixture, alternating with the buttermilk mixture, beginning and ending with flour.
6. Fold in toasted coconut and pecans.
7. In a separate clean bowl, beat egg whites to stiff peaks, then gently fold into the batter until just incorporated.
8. Divide batter between prepared pans. Bake for 22–25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
9. Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.
10. For the frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt until thick and creamy.
11. Frost between the cake layers, then over the top and sides. Press extra toasted coconut and pecans onto the sides if desired.
12. Chill for 30 minutes before slicing for neat layers.

Weekly Meal Planning

This recipe isn’t just for special occasions—it adapts beautifully to your weekly meal and dessert rotation! Save and schedule this recipe to your meal plan to build a smart, organized shopping list (combining all your planned recipes), and make prepping for events or cravings effortless.

Planning Benefits:

• Aggregates all ingredient amounts if you’re baking multiple desserts or meals in one week
• Keeps your grocery list sorted by store section for stress-free shopping
• Prevents overbuying and forgotten ingredients, helping reduce food waste
• Provides easy scheduling so you can space out baking projects or prep ahead

Pro Tip: Planning more than one dessert or meal this week? Schedule everything together—CookifyAI will consolidate every ingredient, so you get the total eggs, flour, or butter needed for all your baking, saving you that extra trip to the store.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes (plus at least 30 minutes for cooling and chilling)

Enjoy the best of Italian baking flavor with modern, quick prep—your next memorable dessert is only a meal plan away!