Italian Cream Cake doesn’t have to be a project that takes over your whole day. This version keeps the spirit of the Southern classic while quietly leaning on a cake mix for structure and reliability. Buttermilk, eggs, and oil transform that mix into a tender, tangy crumb that tastes like you measured every ingredient from scratch. Fold in flaked coconut and toasted pecans, and the texture shifts from ordinary to irresistible, with soft cake giving way to subtle crunch in every bite.

Once cooled, the layers meet a rich cream cheese frosting whipped from butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until silky and light. Extra toasted pecans stirred through add depth and a rustic, elegant finish as you frost between and around the layers. The finished cake stands tall and beautiful on the table, yet it’s disarmingly approachable to make—perfect for holidays, potlucks, or any night you want dessert to feel like an occasion without the stress.