Chocolate Ricotta Cake

Featured in Sweet treats for any occasion.

Chocolate Ricotta Cake transforms the ordinary chocolate cake into something extraordinary with its distinctive three-layer composition. The foundation is a rich, moist chocolate cake made simple with a boxed mix enhanced with oil, water, and eggs. What makes this dessert unique is the creamy ricotta layer - a blend of ricotta cheese, sugar, vanilla, and eggs that creates a cheesecake-like texture and flavor that perfectly complements the chocolate base. The finishing touch is a light chocolate pudding frosting that combines instant pudding with whipped topping for a not-too-sweet, cloudlike covering. The contrasting textures and balanced sweetness make this cake a showstopper that's surprisingly easy to prepare despite its impressive three-layer composition.
A woman in an apron is preparing a meal in a sunny kitchen filled with fresh vegetables and herbs.
Updated on Mon, 10 Mar 2025 00:36:44 GMT
Italian Love Cake pin it
Italian Love Cake | myhomemaderecipe.com

Magically layered Italian Love Cake combines creamy ricotta cheese and rich chocolate cake topped with a dreamy chocolate pudding frosting. This impressive dessert creates distinct layers as it bakes, with the ricotta mixture mysteriously sinking below the chocolate cake to form a cheesecake-like bottom layer. The contrasting textures and flavors meld together beautifully, creating a cake that tastes even more spectacular than it looks. Perfect for holidays, celebrations, or whenever you want to show someone how much you care through the universal language of chocolate.

I first made this cake for my husband's birthday after his Italian grandmother mentioned it was a childhood favorite he hadn't tasted in years. The look on his face when he took the first bite was priceless, a mixture of nostalgia and pure joy. Since then, this cake has become our family's celebration tradition, requested for birthdays, anniversaries, and holiday gatherings. Everyone who tries it asks for the recipe, amazed at how such a stunning dessert can be relatively simple to create.

Essential Ingredients

  • Ricotta cheese: Creates the signature creamy layer with its distinctive texture.
  • Granulated sugar: Provides sweetness that balances the rich chocolate components.
  • Vanilla extract: Enhances the flavor of the ricotta layer with warm aromatic notes.
  • Large eggs: Bind the layers and provide structure to both components.
  • Devil's food cake mix: Offers convenience and consistent chocolate flavor.
  • Vegetable oil: Adds moisture and richness to the chocolate cake layer.
  • Water: Activates the cake mix and creates proper batter consistency.
  • Instant chocolate pudding mix: Serves as the base for the creamy frosting.
  • Cold milk: Activates the pudding for the perfect frosting consistency.
  • Whipped topping: Lightens the frosting texture for a mousse-like finish.

Baking Instructions

Ricotta Mixture Preparation:
In a large mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat until smooth, then mix in eggs one at a time.
Cake Batter Creation:
In a separate bowl, mix cake mix, vegetable oil, water, and eggs. Beat until smooth and well combined.
Layering Technique:
Pour the chocolate cake batter into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Gently pour the ricotta mixture over the cake batter, ensuring full coverage.
Proper Baking:
Bake at 350°F for 60–70 minutes until set. Avoid opening the oven door in the first 45 minutes.
Cooling Phase:
Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting, refrigerating for one hour for best results.
Frosting Creation:
Whisk together instant chocolate pudding mix and cold milk. Let sit for 2–3 minutes, then fold in whipped topping.
Final Assembly:
Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled cake. Chill for at least 4 hours or overnight before serving.
Easy Italian Love Cake pin it
Easy Italian Love Cake | myhomemaderecipe.com

My family particularly enjoys this cake the day after it's made, claiming the flavors develop more fully with time. My husband prefers a larger ratio of the ricotta layer, suggesting a slightly smaller baking dish for thicker layers. My children love decorating the frosting with patterns using the back of a spoon, making each cake a unique centerpiece.

Perfect Pairings

Serve this love cake with espresso panna cotta, amaretti cookies, and fresh berries macerated in amaretto for an elegant Italian dessert table.

Creative Variations

Try coffee-infused love cake by adding espresso powder to both the cake batter and frosting. Raspberry love cake includes fresh raspberries in the ricotta mixture and white chocolate pudding frosting. A festive peppermint version features peppermint extract and crushed candies in the frosting.

Storage Guidelines

Store covered in the refrigerator for up to five days. For longer storage, freeze individual slices wrapped in plastic and foil for up to three months.

Delicious Italian Love Cake pin it
Delicious Italian Love Cake | myhomemaderecipe.com

After years of making traditional chocolate cakes for special occasions, discovering this Italian Love Cake brought new excitement to our family celebrations. The combination of creamy ricotta and rich chocolate creates a dessert that feels luxurious and special while being surprisingly simple to prepare. What I appreciate most is how it transforms basic ingredients into a bakery-worthy masterpiece. The joy on guests' faces when they take their first bite makes any special occasion even more memorable, proving that sometimes, love is best expressed through a slice of homemade cake shared with family and friends.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I make this Chocolate Ricotta Cake ahead of time?
Yes, this cake is actually best made a day ahead. The flavors meld together and the texture improves after refrigeration overnight.
→ How long will this Chocolate Ricotta Cake stay fresh?
When stored properly in the refrigerator, this cake stays fresh for up to 5 days. Always keep it covered to prevent it from absorbing other flavors.
→ Can I freeze this Chocolate Ricotta Cake?
Yes, you can freeze the cake without the frosting for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and add the frosting before serving.
→ What if I don't have whipped topping for the frosting?
You can substitute with freshly whipped cream. Beat 2 cups of heavy cream until stiff peaks form and fold into the pudding mixture.
→ Why is my ricotta layer sinking into the cake?
Make sure your ricotta mixture isn't too thin. Drain excess liquid from the ricotta if necessary, and pour it gently over the cake batter.

Chocolate Ricotta Cake

This luxurious Chocolate Ricotta Cake combines a creamy ricotta cheese layer with moist chocolate cake and a light chocolate pudding frosting.

Prep Time
25 Minutes
Cook Time
70 Minutes
Total Time
95 Minutes
By: Zaho

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Italian-American

Yield: 12 Servings (12 generous slices)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

→ Ricotta Layer

01 2 containers (15-ounce each) ricotta cheese
02 1 cup granulated sugar
03 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
04 4 large eggs, room temperature

→ Chocolate Cake

05 1 box (15.25 ounce) chocolate or devil's food cake mix
06 1/2 cup canola or vegetable oil
07 1 cup water
08 3 large eggs

→ Chocolate Pudding Frosting

09 1 box (5-ounce) instant chocolate pudding
10 3 cups cold milk
11 1 container (8-ounce) whipped topping, thawed

Instructions

Step 01

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Grab a 9×13 baking dish and give it a good coating of cooking spray to prevent sticking. Set it aside while you prepare the layers.

Step 02

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, sugar, and vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer for a few minutes until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy. Slowly add in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition until fully incorporated.

Step 03

In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the chocolate cake mix, oil, water, and eggs until you have a smooth batter with no lumps. Pour this chocolate cake batter evenly into your prepared baking dish.

Step 04

Carefully pour the ricotta mixture over the chocolate cake batter, spreading it evenly across the entire surface. Bake for 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 minutes, or until the cake is fully baked through. Don't worry if the center still has a slight jiggle to it when you take it out—that's normal! Let the cake cool completely to room temperature.

Step 05

In a clean bowl, combine the instant chocolate pudding mix and cold milk. Whisk vigorously until well blended, then let it rest for 2-3 minutes to thicken slightly. Gently fold in the thawed whipped topping until completely combined.

Step 06

Once your cake has cooled completely, spread the chocolate pudding frosting evenly over the top. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight if possible, to allow all the flavors to meld together and the cake to set properly.

Notes

  1. This chocolate Italian love cake magically swaps layers while baking - the ricotta rises to the top while the cake sinks to the bottom!
  2. For best flavor, make this cake a day ahead to allow all the layers to fully set and flavors to develop.

Tools You'll Need

  • 9×13 inch baking dish
  • Electric mixer
  • Mixing bowls (various sizes)
  • Whisk
  • Spatula

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy (ricotta cheese, milk, whipped topping)
  • Contains eggs
  • Contains wheat/gluten (in cake mix and possibly pudding mix)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 420
  • Total Fat: 22 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 48 g
  • Protein: 12 g