Italian Cream Cake

desserts

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Servings: Makes approximately 5 cups

Ingredients

1 cup all-vegetable shortening

½ cup butter, softened

2 cups sugar

1 tablespoon orange zest

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

6 large eggs, separated

2¼ cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

1 cup whole buttermilk

1 (7-ounce) package sweetened, flaked coconut

2½ cups chopped walnuts, divided

1 (10 ounces) package cream cheese, softened

⅔ cup butter, softened

8 teaspoons heavy whipping cream

1½ tablespoons orange zest

1½ teaspoons vanilla extract

8¾ cups confectioners’ sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Spray 3 (9-inch) round cake pans with non-stick baking spray with flour. Set aside.
In a large bowl, combine shortening, butter, sugar, zest and vanilla. Beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
In a small bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt. Add flour mixture to shortening mixture in thirds, alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour mixture.
In a large bowl, beat egg whites at high speed until stiff peaks form. Fold beaten egg whites into butter-flour mixture. Add coconut and 1 cup walnuts, stirring gently to combine. Divide batter evenly among prepared pans.
Bake until a wooden pick inserted in the center of layers comes out clean, approximately 20 minutes. Let layers cool in pans for 10 minutes. Remove from pans and let cool completely on wire racks.

Orange Cream-Cheese Frosting

For the frosting, beat cream cheese, butter, cream, zest and vanilla in a large bowl at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add confectioners’ sugar, beating until smooth.
Spread frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake. Gently press remaining 1½ cups walnuts halfway up sides of cake.