Name: Italian Love Cake
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 65 min
Ingredients: 2 15-ounce containers ricotta cheese (Make sure to use room temperature ricotta for easier mixing.); 1 cup granulated sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 4 large eggs (At room temperature.); 1 15.25 ounce box chocolate or devil’s food cake mix (For a richer flavor, use dark chocolate cake mix.); 1/2 cup canola or vegetable oil; 1 cup water; 3 large eggs; 1 5-ounce box instant chocolate pudding; 3 cups milk (Must be cold.); 1 8-ounce container whipped topping (Thawed.)

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Why Make This Recipe

Italian Love Cake- Perfect for Valentine's Day

Italian Love Cake is the perfect dessert for Valentine’s Day. It combines rich flavors and has a romantic presentation. The layers of chocolate and ricotta create a delicious contrast that will impress your loved one. It’s easy to make and is sure to be a hit at any celebration.

How to Make Italian Love Cake

Making Italian Love Cake is simple and fun. Just follow the steps, and you’ll have a lovely dessert ready for your special occasion.

Ingredients:

2 15-ounce containers of ricotta cheese
1 cup of granulated sugar
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
4 large eggs (room temperature)
1 15.25 ounce box of chocolate or devil’s food cake mix
1/2 cup canola or vegetable oil
1 cup of water
3 large eggs
1 5-ounce box of instant chocolate pudding
3 cups of milk (cold)
1 8-ounce container of whipped topping, thawed

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease your 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray and set it aside.
In a large bowl, mix the ricotta cheese, sugar, vanilla extract, and 4 eggs together until smooth.
In another bowl, combine the chocolate cake mix, canola oil, water, and 3 eggs. Stir well until the batter is smooth.
Carefully pour the ricotta mixture over the chocolate cake batter.
Bake in the preheated oven for about 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Let the cake cool. Then, prepare the chocolate pudding by whisking it together with the cold milk in another bowl.
Once the cake is cool, spread the chocolate pudding over the top, followed by the thawed whipped topping.

How to Serve Italian Love Cake

Slice the cake into squares and serve it chilled. You can garnish each piece with chocolate shavings or fresh berries for an extra touch. Pair it with a cup of coffee or tea for the perfect sweet ending to your meal.

How to Store Italian Love Cake

Keep any leftovers in the fridge. Store the cake in an airtight container for up to 3-5 days. If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze individual pieces for up to 2 months. Just remember to wrap them well to prevent freezer burn.

Tips to Make Italian Love Cake

Make sure your ricotta cheese is at room temperature for easier mixing.
You can add a pinch of cinnamon to the ricotta mixture for added flavor.
If you want a richer chocolate flavor, use dark chocolate cake mix.

Variation

For a fun twist, try using a vanilla or red velvet cake mix instead of chocolate. You can also switch out the chocolate pudding for vanilla for a different taste.

FAQs

1. Can I use low-fat ricotta cheese?
Yes, you can use low-fat ricotta cheese if you prefer a lighter version of this cake.

2. How long does it take to bake?
The cake typically takes about 40-45 minutes to bake, but check for doneness with a toothpick.

3. Can I make this cake a day ahead?
Absolutely! Making it a day in advance can enhance the flavor as the ingredients have time to meld together. Just remember to keep it in the fridge.