A family favorite! When my in-laws come over I double to recipe because they beg to take some home.

This recipe offers a simplified approach to the classic Italian Cream Cake by utilizing a cake mix, making it easier to achieve a moist and flavorful cake with a rich cream cheese frosting loaded with coconut and walnuts.

Cake Mix Italian Cream Cake: A Semi-Homemade Delight

Ingredients:

For the Cake:

For the Frosting:

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 9-inch round cake pans. Set aside.
2. Prepare Buttermilk Mixture: In a small bowl, dissolve the baking soda in the buttermilk. Set aside.
3. Cream Fats and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the 1/2 cup of butter and the shortening until light and fluffy. Gradually add the white sugar and continue creaming until well combined and fluffy.
4. Add Wet Ingredients and Coconut: Stir in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the buttermilk mixture and the 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Add the 1 cup of flaked coconut, baking powder, and all-purpose flour to the bowl. Stir until just combined; be careful not to overmix.
5. Bake the Cake Layers: Pour the cake batter evenly into the prepared cake pans. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cake layer comes out clean.
6. Cool the Cake Layers: Let the cake layers cool in the pans for a few minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
7. Make the Frosting: While the cake layers are cooling, prepare the frosting. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, 1/2 cup of softened butter, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Beat with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Gradually add the icing sugar, beating on low speed at first to prevent dusting, then increasing the speed until the frosting is smooth and creamy.
8. Adjust Frosting Consistency: Stir in the light cream, a little at a time, until you reach your desired spreading consistency.
9. Add Nuts and Coconut to Frosting: Gently stir in the chopped walnuts and the 1 cup of sweetened coconut into the frosting until evenly distributed.
10. Assemble and Frost the Cake: Once the cake layers are completely cool, place one layer on a serving plate. Spread a generous amount of frosting evenly over the top. Carefully place the second cake layer on top and frost. Place the final cake layer on top and frost the top and sides of the entire cake with the remaining frosting.
11. Chill (Optional): For easier slicing, you can chill the frosted cake in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before serving.
12. Serve: Slice and serve your delicious Cake Mix Italian Cream Cake! Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.