Description
A recipe for a moist chocolate cake that magically separates into layers with a creamy ricotta filling during baking, topped with chocolate pudding frosting.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups cold water
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 package (3.4 oz) instant chocolate pudding mix
- 2 cups cold milk (for pudding)
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (for frosting)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, 1 1/2 cups sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add the cold water, oil, vinegar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Mix with a whisk until just combined; do not overmix. The batter will be thin.
- Pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.
- In a separate medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, 1/4 cup sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.
- Drop spoonfuls of the ricotta mixture evenly over the top of the cake batter. Do not spread.
- Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. The cake will separate into layers during baking.
- Let the cake cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
- Prepare the frosting: Whisk the instant chocolate pudding mix into 2 cups of cold milk until thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the powdered sugar.
- Spread the chocolate pudding frosting evenly over the cooled cake.
- Chill the cake for at least 2 hours before slicing and serving.
Notes
- This cake is best served chilled.
- You can substitute the chocolate pudding frosting with a simple chocolate ganache if preferred.
- This dessert makes a good make ahead dessert as the flavors improve overnight.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 50 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 45g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 45mg