I hope you had a blessed Christmas and enjoyed some time with friends and family. Now it’s back to real life and we can start planning for next year.
I used to consider December 26th the worst day of the year but It’s really not. Today I’m feeling like it is one of the best days of the year. My brothers and sisters are so excited about their gifts. Sophie got the cutest Little Tikes wagon that she’s going to have so much fun with and my brother in-law made her an amazing baby doll high chair and cradle. Then there’s the fact that I may not have to cook for a few days because we have so much food right now. Plus, this year the 26th has fallen on a friday, Yes!
Okay, and I have to tell you the other reason why I’m a little excited. I kind of, sort of, got…..a KitchenAid mixer for Christmas! I’m so not telling you this to brag. I loathe bragging, but I just had to tell you because it means that so many more recipes are possible now!
Our house has not been filled with the musical sound of a running mixer in so long and I can’t wait to hear it again. I haven’t had a chance to try it yet because, like I said, we’ve got so much food.
I’m a weird person. Not many 18-year-olds would be this excited about a kitchen appliance for Christmas. I think I’m even more excited than Sophie is about all of her new toys put together. That’s really excited.
Sorry, I just had to share that with you guys. I haven’t named it yet but I think it needs a really good name because we are going to be very close. I’ll keep you posted.
So, this cake. I can’t write about this recipe without including my mom. I usually make this cake only once a year and that is on my mom’s birthday because it is her favorite. Her birthday is only a few days before Christmas so this cake always feels like the holidays to me. This year was extra special because I had pecans to use in it.
I had to use walnuts last year because, unfortunately, pecans don’t grow here. This year we brought exactly 1 bag of pecans back with us from our recent trip to Idaho. I have been saving them for the holidays to have them for recipes like this that really aren’t complete without them.
I’ve got to say, this is one of my favorite cakes too. My recipe is just slightly adapted from one of my mom’s friend’s recipes. The fact that it has lasted through so many people and is now being made in my South American kitchen should say a lot about how good it is.
This would be the perfect dessert to serve at your New Year’s Eve party or any occasion for that matter. You really just need to try it so I hope you make this.
How do you feel about the day after Christmas?
Ingredients
- 3/4 cups vegetable oil
- 1/2 (1 stick) butter, softened
- 2 cups sugar
- 1/2 cup greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 5 eggs, separated
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups flour
- 1 cup pecans, chopped
- 1 cup coconut flakes
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, at room temp
- 10 oz. (1 1/4 packages) cream cheese, softened
- 10 cups powdered sugar
- 4 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- Chopped pecans for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 C) and grease three 8 or 9 inch round cake pans.
- Cream butter and sugar together in a large mixing bowl. Add oil, egg yolks, greek yogurt, and sour cream. Mix in vanilla, salt, soda, and flour until batter is smooth then stir in coconut and pecans.
- In separate bowl, beat egg whites until stiff. Fold into batter gently and divide evenly into prepared pans.
- Bake for 25 - 30 minutes until toothpick comes out clean. Remove from oven and cool completely.
- For frosting, beat cream cheese and butter together until completely smooth. Add powdered sugar a few cups at a time followed by vanilla and salt. Beat until fluffy.
- To assemble, spread frosting on one of the cakes and layer a second on top. Repeat for next cake and place the third on top. Frost the top and all the sides with remaining frosting. If desired coat sides with chopped pecans.
Love this Tori. Italian cream cake is such a lovely, elegant and delicious cake. Great photos too.
Thanks!
Hi, Looks amazing, but I think you left-out the amount of flour!
Oh my goodness, I did. I feel so silly. Please excuse my holiday scatter brain. I’ve fixed it now, thanks for telling me.
10 cups powdered sugar? is this the correct amount or just a typo?
Hi Shani, I did use about 10 cups for all of the icing. I prefer a stiffer frosting and plenty of it to decorate a layered cake like this but I did have some leftover. Feel free to start with much less and continue adding until the frosting is to your desired consistency or try cutting the frosting recipe in half if you prefer less icing.
this cake looks and sounds amazing. Congrats on the kitchenaid! I just got a new one on Black Friday so I know how excited you must be!!
this is so beautiful and gourmet looking!
Thanks!
Wow, what a pretty cake! Sounds delicious!
It’s always funny the difference in Christmas celebrations as for us the 26th is just the second day of Christmas. Christmas Eve is generally not a really big thing and than we have two days of Christmas before it’s over on the 27th…:)
And wow, a kitchen aid! I love mine. It’s the best tool ever! Enjoy yours!
Thanks!
Beautiful cake, Tori! I am a huge fan of the Italian Cream Cake and this post makes me crave it like crazy! Pinned!
Thanks, Anna!
That cake looks amazing! BTW, exciting news on the KitchenAid mixer. I’ve been longing for one for quite some time; however, I have serious space limitations in my Boston sized place. Anyhow, excited to see what you whip up with it.
Thanks, I’m excited to share them!
I totally used to feel the same way you did. It was so depressing for me the day after Christmas, now its the day after the New Year starts when the ENTIRE holiday season is a wrap but if I had a slice of this amazing cake, maybe I wouldn’t be so unhappy. Pinned!
Ha ha! Cake is pretty powerful. Thanks, Jocelyn!
Looks mind blowing! I bet it tastes heavenly!
It’s one of my favorites for sure. Thanks, Joanna!
This cake is gorgeous and looks delicious!
I don’t mind the day after Christmas. As kids, my sisters and I used to do a “fashion show” and try on all clothes we got. Great memories. 🙂
Have fun with your new mixer!!
That sounds like so much fun. Thanks, Tina!
Yay on a new mixer! Can’t wait to see what you whip up! I could totally go for a few slices of this cake. It looks gorgeous!
Thank you so much!