Whether you’re a casual baker or the world’s finest pastry chef, baking is a real labor of love. From sourdough bread to sweet cakes there is so much to learn (and love) about baking.
In fact, a cake is perhaps one of the most beloved desserts out there. With so many variations and flavors available, it invites creative expression through a myriad of deliciousness.
The Italian Cream Cake is no exception. This cake makes a statement. It is light and classic in both flavor and appearance and, if done correctly, can make for a great centerpiece at any event.
Aside from that, it offers a unique mix of ingredients that work to complement one another with each mouthful.
If you’re looking for the perfect and most delicious Italian Cream Cake recipe, then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve compiled 15 of our top picks for you to take a look at. So what are you waiting for?
What Is Italian Cream Cake?
The Italian Cream Cake is a glorious cake that tastes delicious whatever way you slice it. It isn’t known, but its taste is easily recognizable. And despite the name, it’s not exactly Italian in origin. It’s more of a southern cake defined by the addition of flavored frosting, coconut, and pecans.
Regardless, you cannot question its rich, authentic taste. It is made with three layers of delectable, moist vanilla flavored cake filled with shredded coconut and toasted pecan-filled batter that serves to tantalize your taste buds.
It is then topped with a decadent cream cheese frosting, which gives it its signature appearance. You could even use whipped cream frosting if you prefer! Either way, it is a great choice for a featured dessert.
Oh, and it’s also a good idea to keep your cake refrigerated to ensure freshness.
First on our list of favorites is this stunning recipe by Melissa Sperka (Melissa’s Southern Style Kitchen). Traditional Italian cream cake recipes call for shortening in the batter, but this recipe uses all butter to achieve its rich flavor – setting it apart from others on this list.
Prep time will take 25 minutes, 30 minutes for baking, and 2 hours for all the layers to cool down. But it’s well worth the wait!
As an alternative way of frosting, mix the toasted pecans into the frosting by hand and evenly spread along the top and around the sides of the cake. It may also be worth toasting coconut to garnish the sides of your cake. Both of these will increase the depth of flavor.
Next, we have this irresistibly traditional Italian cream cake recipe by All Recipes. It takes around 30 minutes to prepare, 35 minutes to cook, and then a further 30 minutes of cooling and decorating until you and any guests can kick your feet up and enjoy.
It serves approximately 12 people (but we won’t judge if you decide to take a bigger slice for yourself!)
Make sure to sprinkle the chopped nuts evenly over the cake for a delight in every bite.
This recipe from Life, Love, and Sugar is one of our favorites, and for good reason. It follows a simple, traditional Italian cream cake recipe but allows for slight modifications that only serve to ramp up the flavor.
The addition of a touch of almond extract may leave family and friends wondering “what is that extra little bit of flavor?” And unless you give your secret away, nobody will ever know! Of course, this isn’t a requirement.
It requires 1 hour 30 minutes prep time, 30 minutes of baking time, and can serve between 12 and 14 slices – making it the perfect addition to any party.
It’s no secret that Italian cream cake is a southern favorite that is beloved by many people.
This homemade dessert by My Cake School is no different. Offering a delicious spin on a classic, this chocolate Italian cream cake recipe is everything you didn’t know you needed.
Coconut and pecan offer a familiar flavor and texture, but with a good old-fashioned chocolate cream cheese frosting instead of plain old cream cheese.
It’s also sturdy enough to hold fondant and is also a great recipe to follow for cupcakes!
Another twist on the classic Italian cream cake, this delicious show-stopper recipe is a must-try.
The flavors are emphasized by a pecan and cream cheese frosting, and a sweet yet tangy orange curd that fits nicely between the layers of sponge. Bake for 25 minutes, then leave to cool on wire racks before icing. This recipe makes an impressive 12-16 servings and caters to everyone’s palette.
To get the most authentic taste, the layer of fresh orange curd that you spread over the top of your cake must chill in the refrigerator for 8 hours so you’ll need to get organized.
This Italian cream cake recipe by Cookies & Cups is the ideal accompaniment for any special occasion. With familiar flavors and textures, this recipe gives you full scope to play around with icing.
Why not try leaving the sides unfrosted for a more rustic look, or swirling the icing to show sophistication?
Whatever you decide, the possibilities are truly endless! This recipe also has a preparation time of 20 minutes, a 30 minute baking time, and serves approximately 12 people.
We love the look of this Italian cream cake by Heather Baird (Sprinkle Bakes). If you need a sweet treat that commands center stage, this generations-old family recipe is the answer!
This particular recipe helps you to create a stunning homestyle Italian cream cake without any fuss. While the cream cheese frosting is a hallmark of this cake, its overall flavors are sure to get you hooked!
It requires 20 minutes of preparation, 25 minutes of baking, and can serve up to 10 people. You can add rolled wafer cookies on top for a final flourish. They’ll also taste good, too!
If you’re after year-round Italian cream cake deliciousness, La Bella Vita Cucina has got you covered!
This recipe offers everything you could want from a traditional Italian cream cake. With a short preparation and baking process, all you need to do is leave your cake to cool for 10 minutes before serving. Plus, this recipe can make between 10 and 12 servings.
This recipe also gives you free rein to experiment! Try adding between 3 and 6 tablespoons of light rum to the cake batter to increase its alluring flavors.
Try adding more powdered sugar and whipped cream to the frosting for additional sweetness.
Simple, tasty, and great in a pinch. Get creative with this no-bake Italian cream cake. Enjoy a stunning pineapple filling sandwiched between tasty vanilla wafers, topped with cool whip and tasty coconut.
This easy-to-make cake will keep you (and your friends and family) coming back for more! Topped with maraschino cherries, your taste buds will thank you with each heavenly bite that you take.
It should be kept in the refrigerator for as long as possible to enable the wafers to soften as they soak up the cream filling.
We adore this nut-free Italian cream cake recipe and it’s very easy to see why.
A combination of a moist sponge and a fluffy, decadent cream cheese frosting, and an absence of nuts makes this recipe a great pick. It provides you with the elegant taste of the traditional Italian ice cream cake recipe but with a swoon-worthy twist.
Leaving out the nuts changes the texture in a good way and makes for a smooth eating experience that is perfect for any occasion.
We’re also big fans of this recipe by Recipe Binder. It follows the usual method of making the deliciously recognizable taste of an Italian cream cake but offers up sugar substitutes if needed.
Not only does this increase the sweetness of the cake, but it offers a lighter way to enjoy a forkful of this incredible cake. You can even top off the cake with elegant icing swirls if you want your cake to command all the attention.
A short preparation and baking time make this particular recipe a great choice – especially if you’re in a pinch!
For a booze-fuelled version of this classic cake, we’d highly recommend trying out this recipe from Just a Pinch. It isn’t overly sweet which may appeal to those without an extremely sweet tooth.
All flavors are balanced out by a hint of Rum that resonates throughout the cake, making for a mouthwatering treat without the hassle.
It’s far more time-consuming than other recipes with a prep time of 2 hours and a baking time of 1 hour and 20 minutes, but it is most definitely worth the effort! Feel free to top off with piped rosettes and sliced almonds for added excellence.
A classic recipe with a refined appearance makes this Taste of Home recipe the perfect choice! A fluffy sponge, indulgent cream cheese frosting, and evenly spread chopped pecans to garnish mean that each bite of this cake is a real work of art.
If that wasn’t enough, this recipe features a 40 minute prep time, 20 minute baking time plus additional time for cooling, and makes 16 servings overall. Of course, we won’t judge if you’re planning to eat it all yourself!
Looking for a new family staple dessert? Let us introduce the caramel pumpkin Italian cream cake. A simple change of adding a pumpkin flavor to the cake batter and caramel frosting into the layers does make a whole lot of difference to the idea of a typical Italian cream cake.
With a moist cake, a caramel filling, and simple but effective decoration, the cake exudes elegance and tastes pretty great, too! You could even add more cinnamon and nutmeg into the batter. Best of all, it has a short prep and baking time!
There is nothing shy about the indulgent flavors of this made-from-scratch cake! Topped with cream cheese and pecan frosting, this Italian cream cake is the perfect accompaniment for any occasion.
Easy to make, each bite of this sheet cake offers a deliciously decadent taste that can be enjoyed at any point throughout the year, but it’s perfect for special occasions!
You also don’t have to be the most experienced baker to achieve a great outcome. With a short 30 minute period for preparation and a 30 minute baking time, it is that simple. You are really in for a treat with this traybake recipe!
Other Information
You can add almond or amaretto extract into your cake to give the flavor a boost.
It is possible to substitute sugar and flour within any of these recipes with suitable alternatives. It shouldn’t affect the process too much.
You can omit the coconut but it won’t necessarily be an Italian cream cake anymore
It’s best to cut the cake while it is cold to get even slices.
Immediately refrigerate your cake but then take it out and serve at room temperature.
Final Say
There are several ways to enjoy a delicious Italian cream cake. Whether you want to stick to traditional instructions or branch out into adding unique flavorings, it is a completely customizable process. However, we’d recommend sticking as closely as you can to the original recipe to enjoy the authentic deliciousness of this recipe.
Hi! I'm Kate and I have been baking and cooking for as long as I can remember. I like to share the most interesting tips and recipes I try here on What Kate Baked for you to enjoy. If you have a favorite recipe you'd like to share send it over on social.
