Best Chocolate Italian Cream Cake Recipe starts with a cake mix!! (2024)

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Best Chocolate Italian Cream Cake Recipe starts with a cake mix!! (1)

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Chocolate Italian Cream Cake turns into Easy Italian Cream Cakewith Shortcut!!!

Enjoy this blog post originally written by Holly. She couldn’t wait to share her favorite cake with you and would make her so happy to know you are enjoying it now!

Chocolate Italian Cream Cake is myabsolutefavorite cake! Such a favorite I make this easy chocolate cake recipe for my birthday every year. So, I created the easiest recipe that starts with a Butter Pecan Cake Mix! Years ago, I would make the original Italian Cream Cake recipe. The recipe was very time consuming and definitely not trim & terrific! When I was writing my cookbook, KITCHEN 101Best Chocolate Italian Cream Cake Recipe starts with a cake mix!! (2), I wanted to only include simple recipes. However, how could I write a healthy cookbook without including an easy Italian Cream Cake recipe.

Best Chocolate Italian Cream Cake Recipe starts with a cake mix!! (3)

Secret to My Easy Italian Cream Cake Plus Lighter Cake

So, I decided to start with a cake mix. I used a Butter Pecan cake mix andadded pecans and coconut. I also wanted to create a lighter version to make it trim and terrific. However, I never want to sacrifice taste in any recipe. So, I included coconut and pecans but used coconut flavoring. You get the rich coconut flavor but don’t need as much coconut. Of course, I kept the cream cheese icing but I used reduced-fat cream cheese and less butter. Last, I added cocoa giving the cake the rich chocolate flavor without the fat. Now, you have my new favorite Chocolate Italian Cream Cake and my birthday cake I request or make every year. I have a sweet tooth and have lots of easy dessert recipes.Best Chocolate Italian Cream Cake Recipe starts with a cake mix!! (4)

Chocolate Italian Cream Cake is My #1 Birthday Cake

Every time someone hasa birthday and I ask “what cake do you want?”- You know my answer I bet! Did you know my Italian Cream Cake was the #1 recipe in Cooking Light Magazine in their anniversary issue years ago–need I say more. Of course, you will like my updated recipe better as it tastes just as good, is easy to make and also trim & terrific! So, I do consider myself an expert of this recipe! I always believe everyone should have a birthday cake and candles. My new favorite birthday cake is my chocolate version! Wait until you try it.

Best Chocolate Italian Cream Cake Recipe starts with a cake mix!! (5)

Best Chocolate Italian Cream Cake Recipe starts with a cake mix!! (6)

Print Recipe

Chocolate Italian Cream Cake

Can't wait for you to try my chocolate version of my easy Italian Cream cake recipe. This cake is my personal favorite!

Servings 16-20 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 box Butter Pecan Cake mix 18.25-ounce
  • 1/4 cup cocoa
  • 1/3 cup canola oil
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 egg whites
  • 1 1/4 cups water
  • 1 teaspoon coconut extract
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans toasted
  • 1/2 cup flaked coconut
  • Chocolate Cream Cheese Icing recipe follows
  • tablespoons Toasted coconut and pecans optional (about 2each)

Servings 16-20 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 box Butter Pecan Cake mix 18.25-ounce
  • 1/4 cup cocoa
  • 1/3 cup canola oil
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 egg whites
  • 1 1/4 cups water
  • 1 teaspoon coconut extract
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans toasted
  • 1/2 cup flaked coconut
  • Chocolate Cream Cheese Icing recipe follows
  • tablespoons Toasted coconut and pecans optional (about 2each)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven 350°F. Coat three 9-inch pans with nonstick cooking spray.

  2. In mixing bowl, beat together cake mix, cocoa, oil, eggs, egg whites, water and coconut extract. Stir in pecans and coconut.

  3. Pour batter evenly into prepared pans. Bake 12-15 minutes, until tops spring back when touched. Cool 10 minutes and turn out onto cooling racks.

  4. Frost layers and sides with Chocolate Cream Cheese Icing (see recipe) and sprinkle with toasted coconut and pecans, if desired.

Print Recipe

Chocolate Cream Cheese Icing

Servings

Ingredients

  • 1 package reduced-fat cream cheese 8-ounce
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1/4 cup cocoa
  • 1 box confectioners’ sugar 16-ounce
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Servings

Ingredients

  • 1 package reduced-fat cream cheese 8-ounce
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1/4 cup cocoa
  • 1 box confectioners’ sugar 16-ounce
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. In bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add cocoa and confectioners’ sugar, mixing until creamy. Add vanilla.

Nutritional Information

Per Serving:Calories 315 Calories from Fat 38% Fat 13g Saturated Fat 4g Cholesterol 31mg Sodium 246mg Carbohydrates 46g Dietary Fiber 1g Total Sugars 35g Protein 4g, Dietary Exchanges: 3 other carbohydrate, 2 1/2 fat

A Good Hand Mixer is Perfect When Short On Space

I have always used a Kitchen Aid Mixer and the big one, however, I know so many people who prefer a hand mixer. So, if you are short on room, I recommend this Kitchen Aid Hand mixer to keep for all your baking needs. A good mixer makes baking easier! Trust me as I have a sweet tooth!

I am a fan of Kitchen-Aid mixersBest Chocolate Italian Cream Cake Recipe starts with a cake mix!! (9) and a fan of Cuisinart food processorsBest Chocolate Italian Cream Cake Recipe starts with a cake mix!! (10). As much as I have used both of these products for so many years, they stand up to the test of time and use!

Easy Italian Cream Cake Recipe Tastes Like Original Recipe But SIMPLE!

Italian Cream Cake is still my favorite cake ever so what can be even more decadent than adding chocolate to an all time favorite. I love to top the cake with toasted coconut and toasted pecans (about 2 tablespoons each) for the added touch. What’s great about this recipe is you probably have all the ingredients already in your pantry. Best of all you start with a Butter Pecan cake mix which is such a time saver. The old recipe had so much butter and eggs and you had to beat the eggs separately. With my easy cake made with cake mix recipe that you can whip up the cake in minutes.

Look For Butter Pecan Cake Mix

The secret to this recipe is the Butter Pecan Cake mix.If you can’t find it in your local grocery, you can order them from Amazon to have on hand. I always buy extras and keep in my pantry.

If you don’t like coconut, like my sister, you can leave it out. And, no time to toast the pecans, then don’t as I toast them just to intensify the flavor.

Best Chocolate Italian Cream Cake Recipe starts with a cake mix!! (13)

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Best Chocolate Italian Cream Cake Recipe starts with a cake mix!! (20)
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Best Chocolate Italian Cream Cake Recipe starts with a cake mix!! (2024)

FAQs

How do you pimp up cake mix? ›

Add Milk, Coffee, or Soda

Take things one step further and pair your cake mix with a flavored liquid. For example, buttermilk sings in a yellow and red velvet cake and brewed coffee makes chocolate cake taste bolder. Also, pop open a can of soda—Sprite, 7 Up, or ginger beer—for lemon and strawberry cake mixes.

What can I add to a cake mix to make it like homemade? ›

Add one to two teaspoons of a pure extract to make it taste like a from-scratch cake. Pure vanilla extract and pure almond extract are great options, but you could also try lemon extract or orange extract paired with fresh citrus zest.

Should you refrigerate Italian cream cake? ›

Due to the cream cheese frosting, the cake needs to be refrigerated. Keep any leftovers, loosely covered with plastic wrap, in the fridge for up to 1 week. If you have a cake keeper, you can use that. If not, the dollops of frosting on top might get a little squished from plastic wrap.

What is an Italian cream cake made of? ›

Made with tangy buttermilk, flaked coconut, and a nutty cream cheese frosting, this decadent layer cake would be just as welcome at a casual gathering as at a wedding celebration. Get ahead of your party prep by baking the cake layers in advance, and this beauty will come together in no time.

What can I add to store bought cake mix to make it better? ›

Try adding a few of these tips to your box cake mix taste better!
  1. Use milk instead of water. ...
  2. Add extra eggs. ...
  3. Add sugar and flour to the dry mix. ...
  4. Use coffee instead of water for chocolate cakes. ...
  5. Sour Cream is perfect for adding moisture and rich flavor. ...
  6. Pudding adds moisture and flavor.

How do you make store bought cake mix better? ›

8 Simple Tips and Tricks to Make Box Cake Better
  1. Use Room Temperature Ingredients. ...
  2. Replace Water with Milk or Buttermilk. ...
  3. Substitute Sour Cream in the Mix. ...
  4. Substitute Oil for Butter. ...
  5. Use More Eggs. ...
  6. Add Vanilla Extract. ...
  7. Make It a Chocolate Lovers' Cake. ...
  8. Decorate Your Cake Like A Pro.

How do you make a cake taste like a bakery cake? ›

Step 1: Look at the directions on the cake mix. Step 2: Add one more egg (or add 2 if you want it to be very rich). Step 3: Use melted butter instead of oil and double the amount. Step 4: Instead of water, use whole milk.

What does adding extra egg yolk do to cake? ›

  1. Moisture: Extra egg yolks can add extra moisture to the cake, making it more tender and soft.
  2. Richness: Egg yolks are high in fat and can add a richness and depth of flavor to the cake.
  3. Color: The extra yolks can also give the cake a deeper yellow color.
Feb 19, 2021

How do you make a box cake moist and dense? ›

How To Make Boxed Cake Denser
  1. Add 2 extra egg yolks. ...
  2. Swap out oil for melted butter. ...
  3. Add 2 mashed ripe bananas, fold in just before baking. ...
  4. Add 1 cup pumpkin purée, fold in just before baking. ...
  5. Swap out water for coconut milk. ...
  6. Swap out oil for ricotta cheese. ...
  7. Add 4 ounces of chocolate, melted. ...
  8. Swap out water for heavy cream.
May 16, 2023

Can you leave Italian cream cake out overnight? ›

If you plan to consume the Italian cream cake within a day or two and your kitchen is relatively cool (around 70°F or below), you can leave the cake at room temperature. However, be mindful of the temperature and avoid exposing the cake to direct sunlight or warm environments.

What does an Italian cream cake taste like? ›

If you're looking for an easy way to amplify a basic cake flavor, Italian cream cake may just be the recipe to try. The dessert is characterized by a white cake base with coconut, buttermilk, and pecans mixed in. The buttermilk vanilla cake is fairly mildly flavored on its own.

What is the name of Italian cakes? ›

NameDescription
CassataRound sponge cake moistened with fruit juice
CavallucciPastry made with anise, walnuts, candied fruits, coriander, and flour
CiambellaRing-shaped cake made using flour, milk, sugar, and vanilla flavoring
Colomba di Pasqua
8 more rows

Why is Portillo's cake so good? ›

The cake is made with high-quality ingredients. It includes cocoa powder, butter, and real chocolate, which gives it a rich, chocolatey flavor and a moist, tender crumb. The frosting is also made with real butter and cream, which gives it a velvety smooth texture and a decadent taste.

How to make store bought cake mix taste like bakery cake? ›

Even better, most are super easy, with items you probably already have in your kitchen.
  1. Add an extra egg. Adding an extra egg to a boxed cake recipe is a longtime trick to amp up the moisture and density. ...
  2. Swap milk for water. ...
  3. Or try coffee … or soda! ...
  4. Add mayonnaise. ...
  5. Add a box of instant pudding.
Dec 2, 2021

What is the 90 cent cake mix hack? ›

The mum-of-three mixes a can of fruit (typically $1-$2) with a 90c vanilla cake mix from Coles or Woolworths and simply distributes the mixture in her muffin tin. She does not use anything extra - including milk, eggs, or butter.

What do you beat cake mix with? ›

Unlike folding, beating means to stir rapidly to blend ingredients into a smooth mixture while also adding a bit of air to the mixture. Beating can be done by hand with a whisk or using a stand mixer with the whisk attachment (or an electric handheld mixer) on medium to high speed.

How do you fluff up boxed cake mix? ›

Extra egg: To make your cake lighter, mixing in another egg will do the trick. "Adding an additional egg creates a richer, fluffier cake," says Waterson. Tack on an additional egg than what's called for on the box while mixing, and mix as normal. Egg whites: Egg yolks contain more fat than egg whites.

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