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A homemade slice of Italian Love Cake with moist chocolate layers and creamy ricotta filling, shown close up on a white plate in warm natural sunlight.

Italian Love Cake

5 from 1 vote
An impressive yet simple Italian Love Cake layered dessert featuring chocolate cake, creamy ricotta filling, and silky chocolate pudding topped with whipped cream. Perfect for feeding a crowd, easy to transport, and even better the next day.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Chill Time 3 hours
Total Time 4 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 14
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 420
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

Chocolate Cake Layer
  • 1 box (15.25 oz) Chocolate cake mix - Any brand
  • 1¼ cups Water
  • ⅓ cup Vegetable oil
  • 3 large Eggs
Ricotta Filling
  • 2 pounds Whole milk ricotta cheese - Room temperature for best texture
  • ¾ cup Granulated sugar
  • 4 large Eggs
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
Chocolate Pudding Topping
  • 2 boxes (3.9 oz each) Instant chocolate pudding mix
  • 3 cups Cold whole milk - Must be very cold
  • 1 container (8 oz) Frozen whipped topping - Thawed
Optional Garnish
  • Chocolate shavings
  • Fresh berries
  • Powdered sugar - Light dusting

Equipment

  • 1 9x13-inch baking pan (Greased)
  • 2–3 Large mixing bowls (For cake, ricotta, and pudding)
  • 1 Electric mixer (For smooth ricotta)
  • 1 Rubber spatula (Spreading layers)
  • 1 Offset spatula (For clean pudding/whipped topping layer)

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F, grease a 9×13-inch pan, mix the chocolate cake batter, and pour it evenly into the pan.
  2. Beat the ricotta, sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth, then gently spread it over the cake batter.
  3. Bake for 60–70 minutes until the ricotta layer is set and a toothpick inserted into the chocolate layer comes out clean.
  4. Cool completely, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
  5. Whisk chocolate pudding with cold milk, let it thicken, and spread it over the chilled cake.
  6. Spread whipped topping over the pudding and chill 2–3 more hours before serving

Nutrition

Serving: 150gCalories: 420kcalCarbohydrates: 48gProtein: 11gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 380mgSodium: 260mgPotassium: 2mgFiber: 36gSugar: 450gVitamin A: 1IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 210mgIron: 2.5mg

Notes

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be considered an approximation. Actual values may vary based on specific ingredients used and portion sizes

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