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Chocolate Sicilian Love Cake

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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 576
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • For the Chocolate Cake:
  • ¾ cup 60g unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ¾ cup 180g hot water or coffee
  • 2 cups 400g granulated sugar
  • ½ cup 110g vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs
  • ¾ cup 170g milk
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1¾ cups 210g all-purpose flour
  • 1½ tsp baking powder
  • 1½ tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • For the Ricotta Filling:
  • 24 oz 3 cups / 881g ricotta cheese
  • 3 large eggs
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • For the Cocoa Cream Cheese Frosting:
  • 8 oz cream cheese softened
  • 2½ cups cold heavy cream
  • 1⅓ cups powdered sugar
  • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Method
 

  1. Bake the Chocolate Cake
  2. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 13x9-inch pan (at least 2 inches deep) with parchment paper.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk cocoa powder and hot coffee (or water) until smooth.
  4. Add sugar, oil, eggs, milk, and vanilla, mixing until fully combined.
  5. Sift in flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, then mix until smooth.
  6. Pour batter into the prepared pan.
  7. Prepare the Ricotta Layer
  8. In another bowl, beat ricotta, eggs, sugar, vanilla, and salt until smooth.
  9. Gently pour the ricotta mixture over the cake batter, spreading it evenly (a measuring cup helps distribute it cleanly).
  10. Bake & Cool
  11. Bake for 60–70 minutes, until the top is set and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  12. Let the cake cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
  13. Make the Frosting
  14. Beat cream cheese until smooth. In a separate bowl, whip heavy cream, powdered sugar, cocoa, salt, and vanilla to stiff peaks.
  15. Fold whipped cream into cream cheese in thirds, mixing gently until fluffy.
  16. Once the cake is cool, spread frosting evenly over the top (or remove from pan to frost sides, if desired).

Notes

- Room-temperature ingredients (eggs, milk, ricotta) ensure even mixing.
- Don’t overbake—the toothpick should have a few moist crumbs but no wet batter.
- Chill the frosting for 10 minutes if it’s too soft to spread.
- Serve chilled for cleaner slices.

Serving Suggestions

Dust with extra cocoa powder or chocolate shavings for elegance.
Pair with fresh berries to balance the richness.
Refrigerate leftovers (covered) for up to 3 days.