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Chocolate Italian Love Cake topped with cocoa and whipped cream

Chocolate Italian Love Cake

A delightful dessert with rich layers of chocolate cake and creamy ricotta filling, perfect for any occasion.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 400
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cake Ingredients
  • 1.75 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1.5 cups granulated sugar
  • 0.75 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1.5 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1.5 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 0.5 cups vegetable oil
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup boiling water
Filling Ingredients
  • 1.5 cups ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for filling)
Frosting Ingredients
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 0.25 cups cream cheese
  • 0.5 cups powdered sugar (for frosting)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)

Method
 

Baking the Cake
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare two 9-inch round cake pans by greasing and flouring them.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. Add in the eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla extract, then beat on medium speed for about 2 minutes until well blended.
  4. Gradually stir in the boiling water; the batter will be thin.
  5. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans.
  6. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
Preparing the Filling and Frosting
  1. For the filling, mix ricotta cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth.
  2. In another bowl, whip the heavy cream until soft peaks form, then fold in cream cheese and powdered sugar until combined.
Assembly
  1. Once the cakes are completely cooled, layer the ricotta filling between them.
  2. Spread the whipped cream cheese frosting over the top and sides of the cake.
  3. Chill for at least an hour before serving.

Notes

Best served chilled. Enjoy with fresh berries or a drizzle of chocolate sauce, and a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful dessert experience. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days.