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The Best Italian Love Cake Recipe: Creamy Ricotta and Chocolate Layers

A rich slice of Italian love cake featuring a dark chocolate base, creamy white layer, and thick chocolate frosting.
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Make this decadent Italian Love Cake, a layered dessert featuring a moist chocolate base, a creamy ricotta filling that bakes in place, and a smooth chocolate pudding topping. This recipe is simple to follow and perfect for special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 box (15.25 oz) chocolate cake mix
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 (15 oz) container whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract
  • 1 box (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
  • 1 cup cold milk
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Chocolate shavings for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the chocolate cake mix, flour, 1 cup sugar, and baking soda. Mix well.
  3. Add the water, oil, vanilla extract, and eggs to the dry ingredients. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for two minutes. Pour this batter into the prepared baking pan.
  4. In a medium bowl, whisk together the ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 cup whole milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and almond extract until smooth.
  5. Slowly pour the ricotta mixture evenly over the chocolate batter in the pan. Do not stir.
  6. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. The ricotta mixture will magically set into a layer during baking.
  7. Let the cake cool completely on a wire rack.
  8. Prepare the pudding layer: In a small bowl, whisk the instant vanilla pudding mix with 1 cup cold milk until thickened, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
  9. Prepare the topping: In a separate bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
  10. Gently fold the prepared vanilla pudding into the whipped cream until just combined.
  11. Spread the creamy topping evenly over the cooled cake.
  12. Chill the cake for at least 2 hours before slicing. Garnish with chocolate shavings before serving.

Notes

  • You can prepare this layered pudding cake ahead of time; chilling helps the layers set firmly.
  • For a richer chocolate flavor in the base, substitute cocoa powder for some of the flour as directed by your cake mix brand, or use a chocolate cake mix that already includes cocoa.
  • If you prefer a stronger citrus note, add 1 teaspoon of lemon zest to the ricotta filling.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://littlekitchendiary.com/italian-love-cake-recipe-creamy-ricotta-chocolate/