Italian Love Cake: A Decadent Layered Delight

Italian Love Cake: A Decadent Layered Delight

Italian Love Cake is a luscious, multi-layered dessert that masterfully combines elements of moist chocolate cake, creamy ricotta cheesecake, and a dreamy chocolate pudding topping. This crowd-pleasing treat is not only beautiful but also ideal for preparing in advance — a true testament to the sweet, comforting layers of love it’s named for.

Why This Cake Wins Hearts

Cheesecake Vibes, Without the Weight: The ricotta layer is silky smooth and cheesecake-like, yet surprisingly airy, even after chilling. It’s rich in flavor without feeling overly heavy.

Balanced Chocolate Flavor: Perfect for chocolate enthusiasts, yet mellow enough for those who prefer more subtle sweetness. It delivers just the right amount of chocolatey indulgence.

What You’ll Need

Chocolate Cake Layer

1 box of chocolate cake mix

Eggs, oil, and water (as specified on the cake mix box)

Ricotta Cheesecake Layer

2 pounds ricotta cheese

4 eggs

¾ cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Creamy Topping

1 (5.9 oz) box of instant chocolate pudding

1½ cups cold milk

8 oz Cool Whip or your favorite whipped topping

How to Make Italian Love Cake

Preheat the Oven

Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

Mix the Cake Layer

Prepare the chocolate cake batter following the instructions on the package. Pour it evenly into the prepared pan.

Create the Ricotta Layer

In a separate bowl, blend ricotta, eggs, sugar, and vanilla until creamy. Gently spoon this mixture over the cake batter — don’t stir or mix them together.

Bake

Bake the layered cake for about 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow it to cool completely.

Prepare the Topping

Whisk the pudding mix with cold milk until it thickens. Fold in the whipped topping until smooth and creamy.

Assemble and Chill

Spread the pudding mixture over the cooled cake. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours — overnight is even better for best flavor and texture.

Pro Tip:

This cake is even better the next day as the layers have time to fully settle and the flavors meld together. It slices beautifully and makes for an impressive presentation with minimal effort.