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Italian Love Cake Recipe

4.6 from 68 reviews

Italian Love Cake is a moist and tender dessert featuring creamy ricotta cheese and a light vanilla-infused batter, baked to golden perfection and lightly dusted with powdered sugar for a delicate finish. This cake is a lovely balance of creamy texture and sweet flavor, perfect for an elegant dessert or special occasion treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup whole milk (or almond milk)
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 15 oz ricotta cheese

For Finishing

  • Powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a baking pan, either rectangular or round, to prevent sticking and help with even baking.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt until all ingredients are evenly combined to ensure consistent texture.
  3. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat the eggs with milk and vanilla extract until frothy. Then, add the ricotta cheese and mix until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.
  4. Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring gently with a spatula or spoon until just combined. Be careful not to overmix to maintain a light and tender cake texture.
  5. Transfer Batter and Bake: Pour the batter evenly into the greased baking pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the cake is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  6. Cool and Finish: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Before serving, dust the top generously with powdered sugar for a beautiful presentation and a touch of sweetness.

Notes

  • You can substitute whole milk with almond milk to make it dairy-light, though flavor and texture may slightly vary.
  • For a richer flavor, try adding lemon zest or orange zest to the batter.
  • Ensure not to overmix after combining wet and dry ingredients to keep the cake tender.
  • Use fresh ricotta cheese for the best texture and taste.
  • This cake stores well covered at room temperature for 2 days or refrigerated for up to 4 days.

Keywords: Italian Love Cake, ricotta cake, moist cake, Italian dessert, ricotta cheese cake, vanilla cake, easy cake recipe