Embark on a delightful journey of baking with this quick and easy recipe for Italian Cream Cheese Cake—a treat specially designed for beginners. The fusion of buttery goodness, velvety cream cheese frosting, and the crunch of toasted coconut and pecans creates a symphony of flavors that will leave your taste buds longing for more. Express your gratitude to the kitchen magician behind this creation, and let the sweet compliments keep those recipes flowing! 🍰👩🍳
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup vegetable shortening
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 6 egg yolks
- 2 cups self-rising flour
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 cups sweetened shredded coconut, divided
- 6 egg whites, beaten to stiff peaks
For the Frosting:
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1 pound powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
Instructions:
Step 1: Cake Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Grease and flour 3 8-inch cake pans. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream the butter and shortening until smooth. Add the sugar and beat well.
- Add the egg yolks and mix well.
- Sift the flour and add it to the sugar and butter mixture one-third at a time, alternating with the milk.
- Stir in the vanilla, 1 cup of coconut, and the pecans.
- Carefully fold in the beaten egg whites until no pockets remain.
- Divide the batter evenly between the three prepared pans.
- Bake for 25 minutes and turn out to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 2: Toasted Coconut and Cream Cheese Frosting
- While the cakes bake, sprinkle one cup of coconut on a baking sheet and toast it in the oven alongside your cakes until brown and nutty, about 8 to 10 minutes. Stir it every couple of minutes to prevent burning. Set aside to cool.
- For the frosting, cream the butter and cream cheese until well mixed. Add the vanilla and powdered sugar, mixing until well combined.
Step 3: Assembly
- Spread the cream cheese frosting between layers of cake and on top and sides.
- Use your hands to press the toasted coconut all around the sides.
- Sprinkle pecans over the top.
Conclusion: Celebrate the success of your baking journey with this exquisite Italian Cream Cheese Cake. The layers of flavor and texture showcase the talent of a beginner turning into a skilled baker. Shower the creator with appreciation, and let the delightful compliments pave the way for more sweet adventures in the kitchen. Thank you for sharing this scrumptious recipe!