Name: Italian Love Cake Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 1 h 10 min
Total time: 5 h 30 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2 (15-ounce) containers ricotta cheese; 1 cup granulated sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 4 large eggs (room temperature); 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; 1 (5-ounce) box instant chocolate pudding mix; 3 cups cold milk; 1 (8-ounce) container whipped topping, thawed

Jump to Recipe

This Italian Love Cake is the ultimate celebration of layers – from tender chocolate cake to a dreamy ricotta cheesecake center, all finished with a luscious chocolate pudding frosting. With every slice, you get a perfect balance of creamy and chocolatey that’s impossible to resist. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just want to treat yourself, this cake promises to win over every heart at the table.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of Italian Love Cake comes from its beautifully simple, pantry-friendly ingredients. Each one has a purpose, from the creamy ricotta to the comforting richness of chocolate cake and pudding. Here’s what you’ll need before you start:

Ricotta cheese (2 15-ounce containers): Go for whole milk ricotta for the creamiest cheesecake layer possible.
Granulated sugar (1 cup): Adds just the right sweetness to balance the tangy ricotta.
Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Enhances the flavor and aroma in the ricotta layer.
Large eggs (4 for ricotta layer, 3 for cake layer): Make sure they’re room temperature for super-smooth mixing and perfect texture.
Chocolate or Devil’s Food cake mix (1 15.25-ounce box): The backbone of the chocolate cake layer—Devil’s Food brings an extra punch of cocoa if you want it even richer.
Canola or vegetable oil (1/2 cup): Keeps your cake layer moist and tender.
Water (1 cup): Helps bring the cake batter together and creates that classic cake crumb.
Instant chocolate pudding mix (1 5-ounce box): For an ultra-silky, easy chocolate frosting.
Cold milk (3 cups): Whisks with the pudding mix for a thick, creamy topping.
Whipped topping (1 8-ounce container, thawed): Lightens the pudding frosting and adds a dreamy finish.
Cooking spray: Don’t forget to grease your 9×13-inch baking dish to keep every slice perfect!

How to Make Italian Love Cake

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare the Pan

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your cake bakes evenly from the get-go. Generously grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray so every luscious layer comes out intact when it’s time to slice.

Step 2: Mix Up the Ricotta Layer

In a mixing bowl, blend together the ricotta cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is silky-smooth and irresistible. Add the eggs one at a time, blending until just combined—don’t over-mix! This layer turns creamy in the oven and forms the “cheesecake” heart of your Italian Love Cake.

Step 3: Make the Chocolate Cake Batter

In another bowl, whisk together the chocolate cake mix, oil, water, and eggs until you have a smooth batter. The boxed mix makes this cake weeknight-friendly, and you’ll still end up with a tender, cocoa-rich base that complements the ricotta.

Step 4: Layer and Bake

Pour the chocolate cake batter into your prepared pan, then gently and evenly pour the ricotta mixture over the top—don’t stir or swirl! Watch the magic as the layers reverse during baking. Pop it in the oven and bake for 60 to 70 minutes, or until the center is set. Let the cake cool completely before frosting.

Step 5: Whip Up the Chocolate Pudding Frosting

In a separate bowl, whisk together the instant chocolate pudding mix and cold milk for 2 to 3 minutes, until thickened. Fold in the thawed whipped topping to create a cloud-like chocolate layer that’s both decadent and light.

Step 6: Frost and Chill

Spread the pudding frosting in a generous layer over the cooled cake. Let your Italian Love Cake chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours—this helps the layers set and makes the cake ridiculously easy to slice. Enjoy every bite of this harmonious, multi-layered masterpiece!

How to Serve Italian Love Cake

Garnishes

The finishing touch can really take your Italian Love Cake from amazing to unforgettable. Try a dusting of cocoa powder, a handful of mini chocolate chips, fresh raspberries, or delicate chocolate curls. Each bite looks as stunning as it tastes!

Side Dishes

Serve Italian Love Cake alongside a fresh berry salad, a scoop of vanilla gelato, or a piping-hot espresso. The creamy, chocolaty layers pair perfectly with anything bright, fruity, or with just a touch of bitterness to balance out the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

If you want to get playful, cut the cake into geometric slices or use cookie cutters for fun shapes. For special occasions, serve individual portions in mason jars or parfait glasses, layering bits of cake, ricotta, and frosting. Italian Love Cake always impresses, no matter how you present it!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Cover your Italian Love Cake tightly and store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The cake actually gets even tastier as the flavors meld, making it perfect for next-day enjoyment or sneaky midnight snacks.

Freezing

For longer storage, Italian Love Cake freezes beautifully. Slice the cake and wrap each piece securely in plastic wrap, then again in foil, before tucking them in an airtight container or freezer bag. Thaw overnight in the fridge when cravings strike.

Reheating

Italian Love Cake is best enjoyed cold or at room temperature, so you don’t need to reheat it. If you prefer a slightly warmer bite, let a slice sit out for 20 minutes before serving—it’ll taste luscious and melt-in-your-mouth.

FAQs

Can I use homemade cake mix or pudding?

Absolutely! While boxed mixes make the process nearly foolproof (and speedy), you can use homemade chocolate cake or pudding if you love baking from scratch. Just keep the quantities about the same for the perfect texture.

Why do the cake and ricotta layers “flip” during baking?

It’s the magic of Italian Love Cake! The ricotta mixture is heavier, so it sinks as the cake bakes, flipping the layers and giving you that signature cheesecake-on-the-bottom look.

Do I have to use whipped topping in the frosting?

If you prefer real whipped cream, you can swap it in for the whipped topping—just make sure it’s whipped to stiff peaks so your frosting holds up nicely.

How far in advance can I make Italian Love Cake?

Italian Love Cake is made for advance prep. Make it a day (or even two!) ahead to give the flavors time to meld. Just keep it tightly covered in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.

Can I add other flavors or mix-ins?

Of course! Orange zest, espresso powder, or a few chocolate chips mixed into the batter make delicious variations. Italian Love Cake is wonderfully adaptable to your tastes.

Final Thoughts

There’s something magical about sharing a pan of Italian Love Cake with people you love. Its velvety layers, rich chocolate, and gentle sweetness bring everyone to the table with smiles. If you’ve never tried it, now is the time to enjoy this classic—it’s sure to become one of your most requested treats!

Italian Love Cake Recipe

★★★★★

5.2 from 15 reviews

Author: lina
Total Time: 5 hours 30 minutes
Yield: 12 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Italian Love Cake is a decadent dessert that combines layers of rich chocolate cake, creamy ricotta cheese, and a luscious chocolate pudding frosting. It’s a delightful treat that will surely impress your loved ones!

Instructions

Preheat oven and prep baking dish: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
Prepare Ricotta Layer: In a mixing bowl, beat ricotta cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, mixing until combined.
Prepare Cake Batter: In a separate bowl, whisk together chocolate cake mix, oil, water, and eggs until smooth.
Layer the Cake: Pour the cake batter into the baking dish, then carefully pour the ricotta mixture over it without mixing.
Bake: Bake for 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 minutes until the center is set. Let it cool completely.
Prepare Frosting: Whisk pudding mix and cold milk for 2-3 minutes until thickened. Fold in whipped topping.
Assemble the Cake: Spread the pudding frosting over the cooled cake. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving.

Notes

For best results, refrigerate the cake overnight to allow the flavors to meld together.
Garnish with chocolate shavings or fresh berries before serving for an elegant touch.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Italian