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Chocolate Italian Love Cake
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
40 mins
Total Time
1 hr
 
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: Cake, italian, Ricotta, Sicilian
Servings: 18
Ingredients
  • 1 box chocolate or vanilla cake mix plus the ingredients called for in the directions
  • Mascarpone Ricotta Filling
  • 28 ounces ricotta cheese
  • 4 ounces mascarpone ½ cup
  • 3 eggs
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • ⅛ tsp salt
  • Frosting
  • 10 ounces mascarpone 1 ¼ cups
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 3.9 ounce box instant chocolate or vanilla pudding mix
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 Container Cool Whip
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven according to the cake mix box. Spray a 9x13 inch pan with nonstick spray.
  2. Prepare the cake mix according to the directions on the box. Pour it into the bottom of the prepared pan and set aside.
  3. To make the ricotta filling: combine the ricotta, mascarpone, eggs, sugar, and salt in a stand mixer and mix until smooth.
  4. Gently pour the ricotta filling into the cake pan, on top of the cake batter layer. Use an offset spatula to spread evenly, covering the entire layer.

  5. Bake until the center is fully cooked, about 45-65 minutes. A fork inserted into the middle should come out mostly clean. Let cool completely.

  6. To make the frosting: blend together the mascarpone, milk, pudding mix, and sugar in the stand mixer again until it’s smooth. Fold in all of the cool whip. You can let this thicken in the fridge while the cake cools.

  7. Once the cake is ready to be served, frost the top of the cake using an offset spatula.
Recipe Notes
  • Adapted from Valerie Bertinelli's - Sicilian Love Cake
  • If after 40 min your cake is still jiggly, continue baking & check every 5-10 minutes. Some people have wildly different baking times due to different box cakes requiring different temperatures. Ovens also vary. My cake will bake at 375 for 45 minutes.
  • If the top of the cake begins to brown, cover with foil to continue baking.
  • Some people experience the layers not switching - this can be due to the cake not being fully done. Be sure that it is not jiggly in the center. If the layers don't switch, for whatever reason, it will still taste delicious! :)