Favorite Birthday Cake

Italian Creme Cake. I can't even begin to describe the decadent deliciousness of it. From the torte-like coconut buttermilk cake layers, to the cream cheese and toasted pecan icing in-between and encasing those layers; it is pure heaven. Of course my favorite birthday cake clocks in at close to 1,000 calories per serving. The way I see it, I'll have it once a year on my birthday - indulge until I go into sugar shock - then that will knock out the craving for me for another year.

Last year, my husband and son made my Italian Creme birthday cake from scratch as a surprise. They did a fabulous job and I believe this is the recipe they used, from Southern Living.
Make sure you use real buttermilk as it makes all the difference.



Italian Cream Cake
Serves 12

* 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
* 1/2 cup shortening
* 2 cups sugar
* 5 large eggs, separated
* 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
* 2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 cup buttermilk
* 1 cup flaked coconut

Nutty Cream Cheese Frosting

* 1 cup chopped pecan, toasted
* 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
* 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
* 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
* 1 (16 ounce) package powdered sugar, sifted

1. Beat butter and shortening at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy; gradually add sugar, beating well.
2. Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating until well blended after each addition.
3. Add vanilla; beat until blended.
4. Combine flour and soda; add to butter mixture alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour mixture.
5. Beat at low speed until blended after each addition.
6. Stir in coconut.
7. Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form; fold into batter.
8. Pour batter into three greased and floured 9-inch round baking cakepans.
9. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.
10. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes; remove from pans, and cool on wire racks.
11. Spread Nutty Cream Cheese Frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake.
12. Nutty Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat cream cheese, butter, and vanilla at medium speed with and electric mixer until creamy.
13. Add sugar, beating at low speed until blended.
14. Beat at high speed until smooth; stir in pecans.