Description
Italian Love Cake is a decadent Italian-American chocolate dessert with a magical bake that forms a rich cake around a creamy ricotta center, finished with silky chocolate pudding frosting. From a box chocolate cake mix, ricotta, pudding, and whipped topping, this layered cake delivers chocolatey, melt-in-your-mouth goodness. Perfect for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, or any special occasion that calls for a show-stopping dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 box chocolate cake mix (plus ingredients listed on the box)
- 2 lbs ricotta cheese
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 box (3.9 oz) instant chocolate pudding mix
- 1 cup cold milk
- 8 oz whipped topping (like Cool Whip)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Prepare the cake mix batter according to the package directions. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together ricotta cheese, sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
- Carefully spoon the ricotta mixture over the cake batter. Don’t mix — the magic happens in the oven!
- Bake for 1 hour or until the center is set. Cool completely before frosting.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together chocolate pudding mix and milk until thickened.
- Fold in whipped topping until smooth and creamy.
- Spread the chocolate pudding frosting over the cooled cake.
- Chill for at least 5 hours (or overnight) before serving for best texture and flavor.
Notes
- The ricotta layer will settle into the center during baking — do not mix it into the cake batter.
- Chill the cake thoroughly (overnight is best) to set the layers and frosting.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 3–4 days.
- For a lighter option, use reduced-fat whipped topping and skim milk in the pudding mix.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 cake)
- Calories: Approximately 450
- Sugar: Approximately 40 g
- Sodium: Approximately 350 mg
- Fat: Approximately 20 g
- Saturated Fat: Approximately 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: Approximately 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: Approximately 60 g
- Fiber: Approximately 2 g
- Protein: Approximately 9 g
- Cholesterol: Approximately 100 mg
Keywords: Italian Love Cake, chocolate dessert, ricotta cake, layered cake, chocolate pudding frosting, Valentine dessert, Italian-American dessert