Quick Italian Cream Cake

1 servings Prep: 15 m Cook: 25 m Total: 40 m Beginner
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Quick Italian Cream Cake
I have made this cake from scratch many times, but I was in a hurry one day & decided to “cheat” a little. I used a Duncan Hines yellow cake mix with pudding and coconut baked in. Could not tell much difference! Topped with cream cheese frosting and pecans.

Ingredients

1 servings
  • Cake:
  • 1 box Duncan Hines yellow cake mix
  • 1 small box instant vanilla pudding
  • 2/3 cup canola oil
  • 2/3 cup water
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 can coconut
  • Frosting:
  • 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese
  • 1 stick butter (8 tablespoons) - no substitute
  • 4 to 5 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 cup chopped pecans

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 3 round cake pans with cooking spray.
  2. Cake: In a large bowl, mix cake mix, pudding, oil, water, and eggs until well combined. Fold in coconut.
  3. Pour batter evenly into the 3 prepared round cake pans.
  4. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes until center springs back after light touch, or sides are pulling slightly away from pan. Do not over bake.
  5. Cool completely before frosting.
  6. Frosting: Mix cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add vanilla and powdered sugar gradually, mixing until creamy. Stir in pecans.
  7. Frost completely cooled cake between layers, on top, and on sides.

Common Problems and Solutions

Q: Why did my cake layers crack or dome?

A: The oven may be too hot. Check your oven temperature with a thermometer. Also, don't overbake - remove when the center just springs back.

Q: My frosting is too soft to spread. What do I do?

A: Refrigerate the frosting for 15-20 minutes to firm it up. Make sure your butter and cream cheese were at room temperature when mixing, not melted.

Tips and Techniques

Make sure the cake layers are completely cool before frosting, or the cream cheese frosting will melt and slide off. You can refrigerate the layers for 30 minutes to speed up cooling.

Ingredient Substitutions

  • Duncan Hines yellow cake mix: any other brand yellow cake mix
  • instant vanilla pudding: instant coconut cream pudding
  • canola oil: vegetable oil or melted coconut oil
  • chopped pecans in frosting: walnuts or toasted almonds

Equipment Needed

  • 3 round 9-inch cake pans
  • Electric mixer
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Cooling racks

Historical Context

Despite its name, Italian Cream Cake is actually a Southern U.S. creation that became popular in the mid-20th century. It’s a staple at Southern gatherings, weddings, and holidays.