You’ll love my Ricotta Chocolate Chip Cake! It’s a delicious blend of ricotta, mascarpone, and chocolate stuffed between two layers of a buttery crust that will make this the best ricotta cake you’ve ever tasted.
If you’re looking for that extra special dessert, a one-of-a-kind creation, my Ricotta Chocolate Chip Cake is just what the doctor ordered!
It was one of my extended (Italian) family favorites and one I was lucky enough to learn from my adopted Nonna. This delicious “Torta di Ricotta e Cioccolata” was served over the Christmas and Easter holidays. But this cake is too good to serve just at those holidays, perfect for any occasion.
What caught my attention about this torta was the cake itself, I’ve made layer cakes stuffed with my cannoli recipe before and they were delicious, but they were traditional layer cakes. The difference with this cake was the batter.
What Ingredients do I need to make a Ricotta Chocolate Chip Cake?
Let’s start by gathering the ingredients we need to make my Ricotta Chocolate. In Chef Speak, this is called the “Mise en Place,” which translates to “Everything in its Place.”
Not only does setting your ingredients up ahead of time speed up the cooking process, but it also helps ensure you have everything you need to make the dish.
How do I make a Ricotta Chocolate Chip Cake?
- In a large bowl mix all of the ingredients for the crust together, except the butter
- Cut the butter into very thin slices and add it to the mixture working it in gently, you don’t want the butter to blend in, the mixture should be chunky.
This cake will seem more like a scone batter, or even a fruit crisp topping than most cake batters you make. But don’t be worried about how it looks before you bake it. You’ll be rewarded with a moist cake, with a delightful crumb and the perfect blend of flavors.
- Mix the ricotta, mascarpone, egg, and sugar using a fork.
- Add the chocolate chips and stir to blend
- Press half of the cake mixture gently into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan that has been greased with butter and dusted with flour. (do not mash it down!)
- Spread the ricotta mixture evenly on top of the first layer of the cake mixture in the springform pan.
- Crumble the remainder of the crust over the ricotta filling. Make sure to cover the ricotta completely.
- Sprinkle pistachios over the top of the cake
Bake in a 350ยฐ F preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes.
Allow the cake to cool in the springform pan for 10 minutes before removing the pan. When the cake has fully cooled, add a layer of confectioners sugar to the top of the cake.
*The confectioner’s sugar will basically dissolve if the cake is too hot)
If you’re looking for a delicious new treat to serve your family or take to your next potluck dinner with friends, give my cake a try.
Who knows, it may even become one of your signature desserts!
Wouldn’t you love to sit down to a slice of this delicious ricotta chocolate chip cake?
The Mom Chef ~ Taking on Magazines One Recipe at a Time
Wow, Chef. That cake is so moist and tender, when I saw it at first I thought it was a cheesecake. You did find a massively wonderful recipe. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Alida's Kitchen
You are so inspiring and uplifting. Thank you for your insight. And your cake looks incredible – absolutely beautiful picture. Happy New Year, Chef Dennis!
Emily @ Life on Food
I have been playing with some blog goals in my head but this definitely makes me want to sit down and draft some of them out.
Your cake looks marvelous! The first thing I thought of when I saw the title was a cannoli cake. I gave myself a pat on the back when I was right. It seriously looks like a little piece of heaven.
Kiri W.
Oh my, what a delectable, moist yet crumbly looking cake! ๐ Perfect.
Thank you for your insights, too. I am definitely on the for-fun side of things, but there sure is time invested etc. Lots to ponder!
Jill @ MadAboutMacarons
Dennis, what a delicious looking ricotta cake – I love the texture! As always, appreciate your words of blogging wisdom, too. I’m asking myself this right now, in fact, as I earn zilch from blogging and much that I’m having fun writing and taking pics, it’s ‘work’ and would be so good to earn a little something since earnings from being an author isn’t what it seems! Yep, let’s think goals in 2012! Thanks, Chef.
Alyssa
That cake looks to-die-for! What another great, Ask Chef Dennis. I think from time to time, even those of us who are doing this just for fun have to re-evaulate our goals and what it is we are hoping to get out of our blogs. Great food for thought! ๐
Elin
Chef Dennis…thanks for another awesome post ! That is the reason why I am here…valuable advices and good food ๐ May 2012 brings you to greater height as you enjoy your blogging ๐ This cake looks delish !
Cheers,
Elin
anne
Well said , Chef Dennis ๐ & your cake looks wonderful !
Hyosun Ro
Chef Dennis – This cake is right up my alley! I love ricotta and mascarpone. Thanks again for the valuable and timely advice as we start a new year of blogging! It really hits home.
Terra
Your cake looks wonderful, perfect with a cup of coffee:-) Thank you for your words, I agree 100%!
Take care, Terra
balvinder
First of all Happy New year! Your advice is helpful to new bloggers like me. I am not sure about other people but I started blogging when I did not find enough gluten free recipes on the internet for Indian cooking. Now, one of my husband’s friend was recently diagnosed to be gluten intolerant. When I gave his wife the white chapatti flour which I made it myself she was very thankful and asked for the recipe. That’s what I want from my blog. Viewership.
Your ricotta chocolate chip cake looks so dense and beautiful. I love ricotta and mascarpone cheese.
Sandra
You’re awesome, thank you.
Amalia
Awesome advice Chef Dennis! You’re totally right about everything you said; setting realistic goals, finding your voice, and placing value in yourself. Thank you for your words of experience and wisdom ๐ And this cake looks amazing! I love ricotta and combining it with chocolate chips in a cake is genius!
Jessica | Oh Cake
Great words of advice, Chef. Back when I was working in higher ed with students I always talked about making SMART goals: specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely. I’m now trying to apply that to myself.
For me it has also helped to have close (non-blogger) friends to keep my perspective balanced. I recently lamented to a friend that I wanted to have a specific (lofty goal) number of readers and was down that I didn’t. She reminded me that when I started I was hoping for ANY readers and now I had more specific goals. It was excellent perspective.
I definitely find your posts helpful and I agree – we need to value ourselves for others to find value in us.
Happy New Year!
Kim - Liv Life
As always, well said, Chef!! And a gorgeous cake photo to boot!! Happy New Year!!