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Italian Love Cake Recipe

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4.5 from 98 reviews

Italian Love Cake is a decadent layered dessert featuring a rich chocolate cake base topped with a creamy ricotta mixture and finished with a smooth chocolate pudding frosting. This indulgent treat boasts a perfect balance of textures and flavors, making it an ideal dessert for special occasions or family gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

Ricotta Layer

  • 2 (15-ounce) containers ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature

Chocolate Cake Layer

  • 1 (15.25-ounce) box chocolate or devil’s food cake mix
  • 1/2 cup canola or vegetable oil
  • 1 cup water
  • 3 large eggs

Chocolate Pudding Frosting

  • 1 (5-ounce) box instant chocolate pudding mix
  • 3 cups cold milk
  • 1 (8-ounce) container whipped topping, thawed

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set it aside.
  2. Make Ricotta Layer: In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract. Using an electric mixer, blend until smooth. Gradually add the 4 eggs while mixing to incorporate fully and achieve a creamy consistency.
  3. Prepare Chocolate Cake Batter: In a separate bowl, whisk together the chocolate cake mix, oil, water, and 3 eggs until the batter is smooth and well combined.
  4. Layer the Cake Batter: Pour the chocolate cake batter evenly into the prepared baking dish.
  5. Add Ricotta Mixture: Carefully pour the ricotta mixture over the chocolate cake batter, spreading it gently to cover the entire surface.
  6. Bake the Cake: Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 minutes, or until the cake is set and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out mostly clean. The center may be slightly jiggly but should not be liquid.
  7. Cool: Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool completely to room temperature.
  8. Make Chocolate Pudding Frosting: In a bowl, whisk together the instant chocolate pudding mix and cold milk thoroughly until smooth. Let it rest for 2-3 minutes to thicken.
  9. Fold in Whipped Topping: Gently fold the thawed whipped topping into the pudding mixture until fully combined and creamy.
  10. Frost the Cake: Spread the chocolate pudding frosting evenly over the cooled cake.
  11. Chill: Cover the cake and refrigerate for at least 4 hours to allow the flavors to meld and the frosting to set before serving.

Notes

  • Use room temperature eggs to ensure the ricotta layer mixes smoothly and evenly.
  • If the center of the cake jiggles slightly after baking, it is normal; the cake will firm up as it cools.
  • For best results, refrigerate the finished cake overnight to let the layers fully set and flavors deepen.
  • You can substitute whipped topping with freshly whipped heavy cream for a fresher taste.
  • Ensure the pudding mix and milk are well chilled before mixing to help the frosting thicken properly.

Keywords: Italian Love Cake, chocolate cake, ricotta cheese, chocolate pudding frosting, layered dessert, Italian dessert, easy cake recipe

Find it online: https://lucabites.com/italian-love-cake-recipe/