Description
A dreamy, layered Italian dessert with chocolate cake, ricotta cheesecake, and creamy pudding topping. Perfect for dessert lovers and special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 box (15.25 oz) chocolate cake mix
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 cups whole milk ricotta cheese
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 box (3.9 oz) instant chocolate pudding mix
- 1 cup cold milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- Mini chocolate chips or chocolate shavings, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
- In a large bowl, combine the chocolate cake mix, water, oil, and 3 eggs. Mix until smooth, about 2 minutes.
- Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
- In another bowl, blend ricotta cheese, cream cheese, granulated sugar, 4 eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Spoon the ricotta mixture evenly over the cake batter. Do not mix.
- Bake for 50–55 minutes, until the center is set and a toothpick comes out mostly clean.
- Cool completely before adding topping.
- Whisk instant pudding mix and cold milk until thick. In another bowl, whip heavy cream and powdered sugar to soft peaks. Fold whipped cream into pudding.
- Spread the topping over cooled cake. Garnish with mini chocolate chips or chocolate shavings.
- Chill in the fridge for 2–3 hours before serving.
Notes
For easy removal, line the pan with parchment paper. The cake is best served chilled and can be made a day ahead. For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free chocolate cake mix. Garnish with mini chocolate chips or chocolate shavings for extra flair.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of cake)
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 25
- Sodium: 420
- Fat: 23
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 36
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 8
Keywords: Italian chocolate love cake, chocolate ricotta cake, layered dessert, easy Italian dessert, pudding cake, make ahead dessert, Valentine’s Day cake, chocolate cake, ricotta cheesecake, potluck dessert