Italian Love Cake is pure magic in dessert form: a seemingly simple chocolate cake transforms in the oven, shifting layers to create a striped masterpiece filled with creamy ricotta and topped with a dreamy, mousse-like pudding frosting. Every bite is a nostalgic blend of chocolatey goodness, delicate sweetness, and irresistible creaminess. Whether you’re making it for Sunday dinner, a birthday, or a just-because treat, this Italian Love Cake is sure to win hearts and become one of those recipes people request again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You don’t need anything fancy to make Italian Love Cake, but each ingredient plays a starring role. Think of this as a symphony of flavors and textures: the chocolate cake brings richness, the ricotta adds cloud-like lightness, and the pudding topping is the ribbon that ties it all together.
- Boxed chocolate cake mix: The perfect shortcut for a super-moist, deeply chocolatey base—just grab your favorite 15.25 oz brand.
- Eggs, oil, and water (for the cake mix): Follow the specific amounts on your box; these bring the cake batter to life and impact texture.
- Ricotta cheese (15 oz): Ricotta’s creamy magic creates the signature layered look and adds a gentle, cheesecake-like flavor.
- Large eggs (2): These help bind the ricotta mixture, so it bakes up soft but stable.
- Granulated sugar (½ cup): Just enough sweetness to brighten the creamy middle layer without making it cloying.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Adds warmth and depth that makes the ricotta filling taste like dessert, not lasagna!
- Instant chocolate pudding mix (3.9 oz): A speedy way to whip up a soft, fluffy frosting with deep cocoa flavor.
- Cold milk (1 cup): Cold milk thickens the pudding, making it ultra-silky and spreadable.
- Whipped topping (8 oz, like Cool Whip): The secret to a light-as-air pudding layer that tastes like mousse—no whipping required.
- Chocolate shavings or mini chocolate chips (optional, for garnish): Scatter these on top for extra texture and visual drama.
How to Make Italian Love Cake
Step 1: Prepare the Chocolate Cake Batter
First things first: preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9 by 13-inch baking dish. Follow the directions on your box of chocolate cake mix, combining it with the eggs, oil, and water as instructed. Pour the luscious chocolate batter right into the prepared baking pan. This chocolatey base is about to become so much more.
Step 2: Mix the Ricotta Layer
In a separate bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, two large eggs, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. Whisk everything together thoroughly until the mixture is beautifully smooth and creamy—no lumps allowed! This mixture will feel a bit thinner than traditional cheesecake batter, and that’s perfect.
Step 3: Layer the Cake
Now, here’s the fun part. Gently spoon the ricotta mixture across the top of the unbaked chocolate cake batter. Don’t stress if it seems to sink in spots or swirl a bit with the cake layer. That’s part of the Italian Love Cake magic! As it bakes, the layers will flip: the ricotta mixture sinks and the chocolate cake rises.
Step 4: Bake
Transfer your assembled cake to the oven and bake for 50 to 60 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the kitchen smells like heaven. Don’t fret if the middle puffs up a bit then settles—that’s completely normal. Let your cake cool completely before frosting. This step takes patience, but it’s so worth it!
Step 5: Make the Pudding Frosting
While the cake cools, whisk together the instant chocolate pudding mix with one cup of cold milk. Beat until thick—about 2 minutes. Once the pudding sets up, gently fold in the whipped topping until everything is completely blended and gorgeously fluffy. This topping is what makes Italian Love Cake unforgettable!
Step 6: Finish and Chill
Spread the pillowy pudding frosting evenly over your cooled cake, taking care to go all the way to the edges. At this point, refrigerate the cake for at least 4 hours—overnight is even better. This gives the flavors time to meld and makes slicing a breeze. When you’re ready to serve, add a shower of chocolate shavings or a sprinkle of mini chips if you’d like a little extra flourish.
How to Serve Italian Love Cake
Garnishes
Garnishing your Italian Love Cake is almost as fun as eating it! Go classic with chocolate shavings or mini chocolate chips, or get artistic with a dusting of cocoa powder or even a few fresh berries for color. A drizzle of chocolate syrup can take it over the top for the ultimate dessert lover.
Side Dishes
This cake is a showstopper all on its own, but if you want to round out dessert, serve it with a handful of ripe strawberries, a scoop of vanilla gelato, or tiny glasses of espresso for a real Italian-American bakery vibe. It pairs especially well after a hearty pasta dinner or any festive family meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, cut Italian Love Cake into elegant squares and use fancy cupcake liners for a grab-and-go treat. You can also layer leftover cubes of cake into individual parfait glasses with extra whipped topping and fruit for a fun twist. The dramatic layers look stunning on a simple white plate, letting the bold stripes steal the show!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Italian Love Cake keeps beautifully in the fridge. Just cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap or foil, or transfer slices to an airtight container. The cake will stay fresh and delicious for up to five days, with the layers staying moist and the topping fluffy.
Freezing
You can absolutely freeze Italian Love Cake if you want to plan ahead or save some for later. Slice the chilled cake, wrap individual pieces tightly in plastic wrap, and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving for the best texture.
Reheating
No reheating needed—Italian Love Cake is meant to be enjoyed cold! In fact, the flavor and texture improve after time in the fridge. Simply let slices sit out for a few minutes to take the chill off before serving.
FAQs
What makes Italian Love Cake different from other cakes?
Italian Love Cake stands out thanks to its magical layer-switching as it bakes, combining a rich chocolate cake with a creamy ricotta filling and a fluffy, pudding-based topping. The result is a cake with striking stripes and a unique, delicious texture that’s unlike ordinary chocolate or cheesecake desserts.
Can I use homemade whipped cream instead of Cool Whip?
Yes, you can swap in homemade whipped cream if you prefer! Just make sure it’s whipped to fairly stiff peaks so it holds up when folded into the pudding. Keep in mind your frosting may be slightly softer and best enjoyed fresh.
Is it possible to make Italian Love Cake gluten-free?
Absolutely! Substitute your favorite gluten-free chocolate cake mix and check that your pudding is gluten-free. The rest of the ingredients (ricotta, eggs, sugar, etc.) are naturally gluten-free, making this a perfect dessert to adapt for gluten sensitivities.
Can I make Italian Love Cake ahead of time?
Yes, in fact, Italian Love Cake is even better when made ahead! The flavors meld, the layers set up nicely, and slicing is a breeze after it’s been thoroughly chilled. Make it the night before your gathering and relax knowing dessert is taken care of.
What other flavors work well in Italian Love Cake?
You can swap the chocolate cake for a vanilla or lemon cake mix and flavor the ricotta layer with almond or citrus zest for a fresh twist. The pudding topping could also be vanilla, white chocolate, or even pistachio—let your imagination (or cravings) lead the way!
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing, make-ahead treat that’s both striking and scrumptious, you simply can’t go wrong with Italian Love Cake. There’s a reason it’s a beloved favorite: easy to put together, endlessly adaptable, and always impressive. Go ahead, bake it for someone you love—or treat yourself!
Print
Italian Love Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes (plus chilling time)
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Italian Love Cake is a decadent and indulgent dessert that combines layers of rich chocolate cake, creamy ricotta cheese, and a luscious pudding topping. This easy-to-make treat is perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth and impressing guests at any gathering.
Ingredients
For the Chocolate Cake Layer:
- 1 box (15.25 oz) chocolate cake mix (plus ingredients listed on the box: usually eggs, oil, and water)
For the Ricotta Layer:
- 1 container (15 oz) ricotta cheese
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Pudding Topping:
- 1 box (3.9 oz) instant chocolate pudding mix
- 1 cup cold milk
- 1 container (8 oz) whipped topping (such as Cool Whip)
Optional Garnish:
- Chocolate shavings or mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Prepare the Cake Batter: Prepare the chocolate cake batter according to the instructions on the box and pour it into the prepared baking dish.
- Mix the Ricotta Layer: In a separate bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, eggs, sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Spoon the mixture over the cake batter.
- Bake: Bake for 50–60 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Make the Pudding Topping: Whisk together the pudding mix and cold milk until thickened. Fold in the whipped topping and spread over the cooled cake.
- Chill: Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Garnish: Garnish with chocolate shavings or mini chocolate chips before serving.
Notes
- For a flavor variation, try using a different cake mix with complementary ricotta flavors.
- This cake is best served chilled and can be made a day ahead.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 31g
- Sodium: 370mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
