Soft As Silk Italian Cream Cake
Soft As Silk Italian Cream Cake is a tender, moist dessert blending rich coconut and pecans with a light crumb, topped with a luscious cream cheese and whipped frosting. Perfect for celebrations or comforting cravings, it delivers a classic, irresistibly smooth texture with delightful nutty crunch.
- Author: Kaeli
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Contains dairy and nuts (not gluten free but can be adapted)
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup shredded coconut
- 1 cup chopped pecans
Wet Ingredients
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Frosting
- 12 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup heavy cream or whipped topping
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Measure all ingredients carefully. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour your cake pans. Shred coconut and chop pecans if not done already.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, sift together all-purpose flour, baking soda, and baking powder to distribute leavening agents evenly and aerate the flour for a soft texture.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate large bowl, beat the eggs and granulated sugar until fluffy. Add vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and buttermilk, mixing thoroughly to create a light, tender crumb.
- Blend Batter: Gradually incorporate the dry mixture into the wet ingredients until just combined. Avoid overmixing. Gently fold in shredded coconut and chopped pecans.
- Bake the Cake: Pour batter evenly into prepared pans. Bake 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow cakes to cool completely before frosting.
- Prepare the Frosting: Beat softened cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth. Fold in whipped topping or freshly whipped heavy cream to achieve a silky, fluffy texture.
- Assemble and Frost: Layer the cooled cakes with a generous amount of frosting between each layer. Frost the entire cake and finish by sprinkling toasted pecans and shredded coconut on top for classic texture and appearance.
Notes
- Use room temperature eggs and dairy for smoother blending and better texture.
- Do not overmix batter to prevent toughening the cake.
- Lightly toast pecans to enhance their flavor without overpowering the cake.
- Ensure cake layers are completely cooled before frosting to avoid melting or sliding.
- Use real buttermilk for optimal moistness and flavor authenticity.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12th of cake)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: Italian Cream Cake, Soft Cake, Cream Cheese Frosting, Coconut Cake, Pecan Cake, Moist Cake, Holiday Dessert, Birthday Cake