Description
Make a rich, layered Italian Love Cake featuring a moist chocolate base and a creamy, self-layering ricotta filling. This decadent dessert is perfect for special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
- 2 large eggs, separated
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt for the cake base.
- In a separate bowl, combine the water, oil, vanilla extract, and vinegar. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Pour the cake batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.
- In a medium bowl, prepare the ricotta filling. Beat the ricotta cheese, egg yolks, powdered sugar, 1/4 cup flour, and 1/4 teaspoon salt until smooth.
- In a clean bowl, beat the two egg whites until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the beaten egg whites into the ricotta mixture.
- Carefully spoon dollops of the ricotta mixture over the chocolate batter in the pan. It will look uneven.
- Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the top of the batter.
- Bake for 45 to 55 minutes. During baking, the layers will magically separate, creating a cake layer, a creamy ricotta layer, and a pudding-like layer on the bottom.
- Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and serving.
Notes
- For an extra rich topping, dust the cooled cake with powdered sugar or spread a thin layer of chocolate ganache.
- Ensure your egg whites are beaten to stiff peaks for the best separation during baking.
- This cake tastes best after chilling for at least two hours, allowing the layers to set fully.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 50 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 35
- Sodium: 250
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Unsaturated Fat: 9
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 50
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 9
- Cholesterol: 75