Italian Love Cake
A luscious, creamy dessert featuring layers of tender cake, rich ricotta, and cocoa, perfect for sharing with loved ones.
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 1 box vanilla cake mix (plus ingredients as directed on the box)
- 1 cup milk For moisture
- 2 large eggs For binding
For the Ricotta Layer
- 1 cup ricotta cheese For that creamy layer
- 1 cup powdered sugar To sweeten the ricotta
- 1 large egg To mix with ricotta
For Dusting
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder For topping
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract To enhance flavors
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a mixing bowl, combine the cake mix with the required ingredients as per the box instructions. Mix until smooth and creamy.
- Pour half of the cake batter into a greased 9×13 inch baking pan, spreading it evenly across the bottom.
- In a separate bowl, mix the ricotta cheese, powdered sugar, and one egg until well combined. Spread this mixture over the cake batter in the pan.
- Spoon the remaining cake batter over the ricotta layer, allowing some ricotta to show on top.
Baking
- Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean from the cake portion.
Cooling and Serving
- Once done, remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool for 10-15 minutes.
- Dust generously with unsweetened cocoa powder before slicing.
- Cut the cake into squares and serve it to your eager guests.
Notes
For ingredient variations, try different flavored extracts like almond or lemon. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds.