Italian Ricotta Cake recipe | with Chocolate chips

There’s nothing quite as satisfying as a slice of moist, tender cake – except maybe one studded with melty bits of chocolate! This Italian ricotta cake recipe delivers on both fronts. Infused with amaretto and studded with mini chocolate chips, every bite melts in your mouth with sweet, (but not too sweet) flavors. Starting with fresh homemade ricotta cheese for an extra creamy texture, it’s the perfect dessert for any occasion. Enjoy a little taste of Italy with this decadent, chocolate chip ricotta cake recipe.

I have been on a ricotta kick over the last few weeks! Once you learn how easy it is to whip up a batch of homemade ricotta cheese you will be too. Use it it in all kinds of recipes from savory dishes like manicotti and lasagna to sweet treats like this Italian Ricotta Cake (I also made a lemon blueberry version).

You can even use it for breakfast. These First Watch-Inspired Lemon Ricotta Pancakes are light, fluffy and SO delicious!

You just have to try it so you can make some of these delicious recipes for yourself.

I always give instructions with step-by-step photos in my posts just in case some readers have questions. But if you are just here for the recipe, click the JUMP TO RECIPE tab under the title and it will take you straight there. You can also print the recipe card with full instructions or you can click one of the SHARE BUTTONS and save it for later!

Let’s gather up the ingredients for this Italian chocolate ricotta cake recipe!

Organizing all of your ingredients ahead of time not only streamlines the cooking process but also ensures you have everything required to complete the dish successfully. You can find the exact amounts in the recipe card below.

• All-purpose flour– you could also use cake flour.

• Baking powder

• Salt

• Butter– room temperature butter

• Granulated sugar

• Eggs

• Amaretto– if you don’t have amaretto you could substitute almond extract or vanilla extract, but the amaretto adds a unique flavor profile and once you have it on hand you can use it to make delicious cocktails like this amaretto sour!

• Homemade ricotta cheese– you could also use a high-quality store-bought brand, but you should absolutely try making your own. It’s easy, fun, and tastes SO much better!

• Mini chocolate chips– I used semi-sweet chips in this recipe because they are my favorite, but you could also use milk chocolate or dark chocolate chips. 

Now let’s get cooking!

​Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. 

Prepare the cake pan. Turn the bottom of the springform pan upside down. place a sheet of parchment paper on it and then lock the outter ring in place. It’s ok if the paper sticks out around the edges.

Grease the bottoms and sides with butter and then dust with powdered sugar. To do this, place a tablespoon of powdered sugar in the bottom of the pan and then gently tilt and rotate the pan to cover it completely with the powdered sugar. Do this over the sink or even outside so you don’t make a mess. 

In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt.

Whisk together and then set aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or if you don’t have an electric mixer, you could use a large bowl and a handheld mixer), combine the butter and sugar.

Cream together on medium speed until fluffy and pale in color, 2 to 3 minutes. Scrape down the side of the bowl with a rubber spatula if necessary.

Add the eggs one at a time, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl between each addition.

Add in the amaretto and beat until combined. The batter will look curdled at this point. That’s ok. 

Add in the ricotta cheese.

Mix on medium speed until fully combined.

Scrape the sides of the bowl and then, add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients.

Mix together on low speed so that you don’t get an explosion of flour all over your RV kitchen. Trust me on this.

Once combined, remove the bowl from the mixer and add the chocolate chips using the rubber spatula to fold them in. Scrape the bowl all the way to the bottom. Make sure the chocolate chips are evenly dispersed throughout the batter. 

Transfer the batter to the prepared pan. Use your spatula to smooth and level out the top.

Bake for approximately 55-65 minutes until completely set and the top of the cake is golden brown. 

Place the pan on a wire rack to cool for about 15 minutes.

Tips for success:

• Bring all ingredients to room temperature before starting for proper incorporation and rising.
• Be sure not to overbeat the batter once the dry ingredients are added to keep the cake tender and a moist crumb.
• Use full-fat, high-quality ricotta cheese for the creamiest, richest texture. Drain excess liquid from the ricotta if it seems watery.
• Fold in the chocolate chips gently by hand to avoid breaking them into smaller pieces.
• Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick – a few moist crumbs are okay but the toothpick shouldn’t have wet batter coating it.
• Allow the cake to cool completely on a wire rack before removing from the pan to prevent cracking or crumbling.
• When greasing and sugaring the pan, use a light, even hand to coat all surfaces for easy release.
• For extra decadence, dust the cooled cake with powdered sugar or top with chocolate ganache or whipped cream.

Frequently Asked Questions

This cake is the perfect ending for Italian meals like this Rigatoni Bolognese.

The next time you are looking for an impressive yet easy dessert to share with family or friends or for gatherings at the campground, give this delicious Italian ricotta cake a try. The rich flavor and beautiful presentation will impress your guests every time! 

Did you make this recipe?

If you made this Italian Ricotta Cake recipe with Chocolate chips or any of my other recipes, I’d love to know how it turned out! Please let me know by leaving a review below. Or snap a picture and tag me on Facebook.

As always, I will be back next week with more delicious recipes from my RV kitchen to yours

Italian Ricotta Cake recipe with Chocolate chips

Delicate and rich, this Italian ricotta cake is studded with semi-sweet chocolate chips and infused with the delightful flavor of amaretto. Luscious homemade ricotta cheese helps create an ultra moist and tender crumb that tastes straight from an Italian bakery. Easy enough for any home baker yet impressive for company, this irresistible cake is guaranteed to satisfy any sweet tooth.

5 from 11 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine Italian

Servings 12

Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

• 1 9 inch springform pan
• parchment paper

Ingredients

  

• 1 ¾ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 ½ sticks butter, softened
• 1½ cups granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon amaretto
• 15 ounces whole milk ricotta cheese
• 1 cup mini chocolate chips

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Prepare the cake pan. Turn the bottom of the springform pan upside down. place a sheet of parchment paper on it and then lock the otter ring in place. It’s ok if the paper sticks out around the edges. Grease the bottoms and sides with butter and then dust with powdered sugar. To do this, place a tablespoon of powdered sugar in the bottom of the pan and then gently tilt and rotate the pan to cover it completely with the powdered sugar. Do this over the sink or even outside so you don’t make a mess.
• In a medium bowl, combine 1 3/4 cups flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, and 1 teaspoon salt.
• Whisk together and then set aside.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or if you don’t have an electric mixer, you could use a large bowl and a handheld mixer), combine the 12 tablespoons softened butter and 1 1/2 cups ugar.
• Cream together on medium speed until fluffy and pale in color, 2 to 3 minutes. Scarpe the side of the bowl with a rubber spatula if necessary.
• Add the 3 eggs one at a time, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl between each addition.
• Add in 1 tablespoon amaretto and beat until combined. The batter will look curdled at this point. That’s ok.
• Add in 15 ounces of ricotta cheese.
• Mix on medium speed until fully combined.
• Scrape the sides of the bowl and then, add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients.
• Mix together on low speed just until combined. Don't over mix.
• Once combined, remove the bowl from the mixer and add 1 cup of chocolate chips using the rubber spatula to fold them in. Scrape the bowl all the way to the bottom. Make sure the chocolate chips are evenly dispersed throughout the batter.
• Transfer the batter to the prepared pan, Use your spatula to smooth and level out the top.
• Bake for approximately 55-65 minutes until completely set and the top of the cake is golden brown.
• Place the pan on a wire rack to cool for about 15 minutes before removing the ring from the springform pan.

Notes

Calorie Disclaimer:

The nutritional information provided is intended for informational purposes only. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, the actual nutritional content of recipes may vary depending on various factors, including the specific ingredients used, portion sizes, and cooking methods.

Keyword Amaretto, Chocolate chips, Italian Ricotta Cake