Indulge in the irresistible flavors of Italian Love Cake! This delightful treat blends quick preparation, healthy ingredients, and a symphony of taste into every bite. Imagine a dessert that fits perfectly into your busy lifestyle without compromising on flavor or well-being. I bake this cake every time I want something that feels like home, a warm hug in dessert form. Try it, and I promise you'll fall in love at first bite!
Why You Will Love This Recipe
My grandmother, Nonna Emilia, used to bake Italian Love Cake for every family celebration. The aroma would fill the entire house, and everyone would gather around the table, eagerly awaiting a slice. It wasn’t just the cake itself, but the sense of togetherness and love that accompanied it. Making this Italian Love Cake recipe brings back those cherished memories, and I hope it creates new joyful moments for you and your loved ones. It is more than a cake, it's a legacy filled with love and joy.
Ingredients
For the Cake Layer:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup boiling water
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
For the Cheesecake Layer:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making the Recipe
- Preheat: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- Combine Dry Cake Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
- Mix Wet Cake Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Add Boiling Water & Cocoa: In a small bowl, whisk together boiling water and cocoa powder. Pour into the batter and mix until smooth.
- Prepare Cheesecake Layer Mix the soft cream cheese with the egg, vanilla extract and ⅓ cup of sugar in a mixer (or by hand) until you have a smooth paste.
- Pour Cake Batter: Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan.
- Spread Cheesecake Mixture: Dollop the cheesecake mixture evenly over the cake batter. Do not swirl.
- Bake: Place in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool Completely: Let the cake cool completely in the pan before cutting and serving.
- Dust: Add powder sugar if desired.
- Serve: Cut into squares and enjoy! This is best served slightly warm or at room temperature.
Italian Love Cake
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- Combine Dry Cake Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.3 cups all-purpose flour, 2 cups granulated sugar, 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt
- Mix Wet Cake Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract.1 cup buttermilk, ½ cup vegetable oil, 2 large eggs, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Add Boiling Water & Cocoa: In a small bowl, whisk together boiling water and cocoa powder. Pour into the batter and mix until smooth.1 cup boiling water, ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- Prepare Cheesecake Layer Mix the soft cream cheese with the egg, vanilla extract and ⅓ cup of sugar in a mixer (or by hand) until you have a smooth paste.8 ounces cream cheese, softened, 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- Pour Cake Batter: Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan.
- Spread Cheesecake Mixture: Dollop the cheesecake mixture evenly over the cake batter. Do not swirl.
- Bake: Place in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool Completely: Let the cake cool completely in the pan before cutting and serving.
- Dust: Add powder sugar if desired.
- Serve: Cut into squares and enjoy! This is best served slightly warm or at room temperature.