Description
Italian Love Cake is a decadent layered dessert featuring a moist vanilla cake base, a creamy sweetened cream cheese filling, and a luscious chocolate cocoa topping with chocolate chips. This easy-to-make cake combines textures and flavors that create a perfect balance of sweetness and richness, ideal for sharing with loved ones on any special occasion or as a delightful treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Vanilla Cake Base
- 1 box (15.25 oz) vanilla cake mix
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs
Cream Cheese Layer
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Chocolate Cocoa Topping
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan to prevent the cake from sticking.
- Make Vanilla Cake Batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine the vanilla cake mix, water, vegetable oil, and eggs. Mix thoroughly until you achieve a smooth batter with no lumps.
- Pour Half the Batter: Pour half of the prepared batter evenly into the greased baking pan to form the cake’s base layer.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Filling: In a separate bowl, blend the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Spread the Cream Cheese Layer: Evenly spread the cream cheese mixture over the batter layer in the baking pan, making sure to cover the entire surface.
- Add Remaining Batter: Carefully spoon the remaining half of the cake batter over the cream cheese layer, distributing it gently to avoid mixing the layers.
- Prepare Cocoa Drizzle: Whisk together the unsweetened cocoa powder and milk until smooth and pourable, then drizzle this cocoa mixture evenly over the top of the batter layer.
- Add Chocolate Chips: Sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly on top of the cocoa drizzle to add bursts of melted chocolate and texture.
- Bake the Cake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake (avoiding the cream cheese layer) comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve: Let the cake cool completely in the pan before slicing. This allows the layers to set properly and enhances the flavors.
Notes
- Ensure cream cheese is softened to room temperature for easier blending.
- Do not mix the batter layers together; keep them separate for distinct textures.
- Use a greased or parchment-lined pan to make removing the cake easier.
- Allow cake to cool completely for best slicing and flavor development.
- Can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/12 of cake)
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: Italian Love Cake, vanilla cake, cream cheese filling, chocolate topping, layered cake, easy dessert, chocolate chips