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Homemade Makeover Italian Cream Cake Recipe

Homemade Makeover Italian Cream Cake Recipe photo by Taste of Home

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Toasted pecans and coconut take this moist cake from good to great, but it's the cream cheese frosting that makes it truly extraordinary. Thank goodness it's a makeover, because you'll definitely want seconds! —Christy White, Oxford, Mississippi

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Homemade Makeover Italian Cream Cake Recipe

Prep: 40 min. Bake: 20 min. + cooling

Yield: 16 Servings

40 20 60

Ingredients

1/3 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/3 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup buttermilk
1/3 cup chopped pecans, toasted
1/4 cup flaked coconut, toasted
CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons butter, softened
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup chopped pecans, toasted

Directions

Line two 9-in. round baking pans with waxed paper. Coat pans with cooking spray and sprinkle with flour; set aside.
In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until crumbly, about 2 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in applesauce and vanilla (mixture will appear curdled). Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk. Fold in pecans and coconut.
Pour into prepared pans. Bake at 350° for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
For frosting, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Add confectioners’ sugar and vanilla; beat until smooth.
Spread frosting between layers and over top and sides of cake. Sprinkle pecans over top of cake. Store in the refrigerator. Yield: 16 servings.

Nutritional Facts 1 slice equals 297 calories, 15 g fat (7 g saturated fat), 56 mg cholesterol, 180 mg sodium, 38 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 4 g protein.

Originally published as Makeover Italian Cream Cake in Healthy Cooking April/May 2010, p29

Sweet White Wine

Enjoy this recipe with a sweet white wine such as Moscato or a sweet Riesling.

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Homemade Makeover Italian Cream Cake

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Reviewed on Apr. 02, 2013 by ameyzing

Very good. Although it doesn't appear to be a very tall cake it serves many people. I skipped the toasting part for the cocoanut and the pecans and substituted neufchatel for the cream cheese to cut a few more calories. You could always cook it in a single large pan if you didn't want to bother with the layer cake steps.

Reviewed on Jan. 11, 2012 by maryvandorin

I've made this several times and we really like it.

Reviewed on Dec. 05, 2011 by Renette89

I have made this many time but have never put in the walnuts. It is absolutely delicious. I even sprinkle some coconut on top.

Reviewed on Aug. 11, 2010 by kitilardi

This cake was delicious. My family and friends loved it and ask me to make it again and again.