This traditional Italian Chocolate Chip Ricotta Cake is the perfect dessert or snacking cake to have on hand. Made with ricotta cheese and mini chocolate chips, this simple cake is the best texture with so much flavor.
If you are looking for a simple and delicious Italian cake recipe, then this is it. Chocolate Chip Ricotta Cake has all of those flavors you love in an easy to make cake that's both fluffy and slightly dense.
This is a great cake to have on hand for any occasion. Perfect for the holidays, brunch, or even with a cup of coffee for breakfast. Moreover, it's a simple dessert that's elegant with rustic look, perfect for your next dinner party.
Italian Ricotta Desserts
Ricotta cheese plays a prominent role in Italian desserts. This light and fluffy cheese, is subtly sweet in flavor and gives desserts a creamy and slightly dense finish.
If you've never baked with ricotta, you should definitely try it. The key to successfully baking with ricotta is creaming it along with the butter and sugar before adding the remaining ingredients. This will add air to the baked good without making it too dense.
I recommend beating the ricotta with a handheld mixer or stand up mixer for about five minutes. This will smooth the ricotta and make a more fluffy, rather than dense, cake.
Here are some delicious ricotta-based Italian desserts:
- Italian Lemon Ricotta Cake is a great way to introduce ricotta into your baking. Full of lemony flavor, this is the perfect cake for every occasion.
- Limoncello Ricotta Cookies are like pillows of lemon cake with a crispy exterior and delicious limoncello glaze.
- Almond Ricotta Cake is another delicious Italian cake that is super simple to make ahead. Great for brunch, after dinner, or a snacking cake to serve with coffee.
- Limoncello Ricotta Cake with cream cheese frosting is the perfect birthday cake or dessert for any special occasion.
- Lemon Ricotta Bundt Cake is a Nonna specialty and tastes great even days after baking.
So give baking with ricotta a shot and you'll be glad you did! You'll end up with a fluffy and light baked treat stay moist for days.
Chocolate Chip Ricotta Cake Recipe
This simple dish comes together fast and only requires a few ingredients, most of which you probably already have on hand.
To start, you will need grease and dust the cake pan. I like to use a 9 inch springform pan for this cake because it allows for easy release. However, if you don't have a springform, you could use a regular cake pan with high sides.
Next, cream together the room temperature butter, sugar, and ricotta using either a stand up mixer or handheld mixer. Cream for about four to five minutes, or until the mixture is creamy and light in texture. Add in the eggs and vanilla. Beat in the dry ingredients just until the mixture is combined; then fold in the mini chocolate chips.
Spread the batter into the greased pan and bake for 45-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean. Let cool on a baking rack for 10 minutes before removing the collar of the pan.
Note that when the cake comes out of the oven, it will be puffed and domed on top. After a few minutes, it will settle and flatten a bit. Let cool before adding the topping.
Topping the Chocolate Chip Ricotta Cake
Keep it simple by topping the cake with a sprinkle of powdered sugar and mini chocolate chips. To make it extra special, serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
To create the uniform powdered sugar look on this cake, simply place about a tablespoon of powdered sugar in a fine mesh sieve. Gently shake the sieve overtop the cake leaving a uniform dusting of powdered sugar on top.
Lastly, sprinkle with mini chocolate chips. I like to do this while the cake is still a bit warm, so the chips melt slightly and adhere to the cake.
You can store this cake on the countertop in a domed cake pedestal for up to three days. Alternately, cut into slices and refrigerate for up to a week. This cake also freezes well; just be sure to slice ahead of time and place in an airtight container.
I hope you love this recipe for Chocolate Chip Ricotta Cake. Be sure to comment below if you try it. Enjoy!
Chocolate Chip Ricotta Cake
Equipment
- 9 inch springform pan
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened (one stick)
- 1 ¼ cups sugar
- 1 15 ounce container whole milk ricotta cheese
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ¾ cup mini chocolate chips
Topping
- 2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
Greasing Pan
- 1 tablespoon butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and position baking rack in the middle of the oven. Use one tablespoon of butter to grease a 9-inch standard springform pan. Add in one tablespoon of powdered sugar and move around the pan, shaking out excess when coated. Set aside.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl with handheld mixer or stand up mixer fitted with paddle attachment, cream together the stick of softened butter, sugar, and ricotta cheese until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add in the eggs and vanilla and cream together for another minute. Pour in the flour mixture and mix until combined. Fold in the mini chocolate chips.
- Pour the batter into the prepared springform pan. Bake on center rack for 45-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in cake comes out clean. Let cool in pan for at least 10 minutes before releasing springform and cooling on wire baking rack completely.
- For the topping, place one tablespoon of powdered sugar in a fine mesh sieve and shake on top of cake until cake is just covered. Sprinkle on two tablespoons of mini chocolate chips.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Erika
This cake looks so moist. Once I get some ricotta cheese I'm going to try this!
angelakallison
You're going to love it!
Paula
I poured the batter into a cupcake pan and they were absolutely amazing! Thx4sharing! 🙂
angelakallison
What a great idea! So happy you loved them!
V Clark
Can you use double cream ricotta cheese in this recipe?
angelakallison
yes!
Chris Collins
I've never made a ricotta cake before but I'm totally trying it after seeing this! Plus who can resist chocolate chips!?
Catherine
What an absolutely decadent and delicious cake! It looks so moist...I would LOVE a slice of this right now. Saving for later 🙂
Cyndy
Oh yum! I love lemon ricotta cake but I think my kids will like this one better. Can't wait to try it this weekend.
Nancy
Easy and Delicious and loved by all. It’s my go to cake for many occasion’
Charla @ That Girl Cooks Healthy
I have never eaten Ricotta cake but you sold me with the chocolate chips.
Candice
This cake...So ridiculously moist! That ricotta is a magical ingredient in here. Cannot wait to make this again!
Stephanie
Mine came out amazing & looked exactly like this! Wasn’t hard at all!!
Vanessa
Fantastic! It has been a hit at several celebrations!
angelakallison
Wonderful! So happy you loved it!
Elena
Simple and delicious, will definitely do this recipe again ! Loved it 🙂
Denise Darin
I really want to try this cake. I have half a container of ricotta do you think this will come out okay if I halved all the ingredients??
angelakallison
It should be ok, you'll just have to bake in a small container... perhaps a loaf pan?
Liz Dwyer
I made this cake and found it to be a bit dense, I would have preferred a lighter cake.
Kimberlt
Can I use a Bundt pan for this.
angelakallison
yes, you will just have to adjust the cooking time. Be sure to test doneness with a toothpick.
Jay
Can you make this with homemade ricotta or does it have to be the smoother store bought kind? Thanks!
angelakallison
You can use homemade ricotta just be sure to drain it really well. Enjoy!
Ursi
This was absolutely wonderful! I am an avid baker with some professional baking experience, and honestly I rarely stumble across a blog recipe that works out well. But I was wanting to experiment with a few ricotta cakes and this one blew the others away! Best part was that it was comparatively easier— most others required separating the eggs and beating the whites. I made sure to mix the liquid ingredients the full 5 times stated in the recipe.
It came out so moist and fluffy, yet the crumb held together nicely; a dusting of confectioner’s sugar is all this cake needs for presentation.
I did this in a goldstone Bundt pan and it was done just past the 40 min mark. Also, I added a 1/2 tsp of almond extract (I would have added pistachio if I had it). I skimped on the sugar— used about 5/8 cup— for personal taste.
Bravo! Excellent recipe!
Bridget
Wonderful cake! Everyone loved it!
Amanda
Thank you for noting your use of almond extract. I was thinking that would be the perfect addition but wasn’t sure how much to add.
Lori
Outstanding!
angelakallison
So happy you loved it!
Sam
This is totally embarrassing, but I accidentally used a 15oz tub of whipped cream cheese instead (I had taken out the ricotta, and then later reached into the fridge and grabbed the cream cheese without thinking).
Amazingly it tuned out great. It was done on the early end, at 45 minutes. It had a great taste.
I think next time I'll use half ricotta half cream cheese.
angelakallison
yay! I'm so happy to hear this worked out for you anyway. Let me know how the half ricotta/cream cheese works out for you.
Mindy Fewless
This cake was so moist and everyone loved it!! Thank you!
angelakallison
So happy you loved it!
veenaazmanov
Looks delicious and chocolaty and perfect for the Tea Time Treat. I definitely have to try your yummy recipe.
Claudia Lamascolo
I should have made two, this was eaten so fast I couldnt believe it everyone had a second piece! great recipe
Jessica Formicola
I love a good cake recipe and this chocolate chip ricotta cake is one of my favorites! Thanks so much for sharing the recipe!
Shalini
This looks wow! How I wish I could get hold of some ricotta cheese now. Bookmarking until then!
angelakallison
It's amazing. You're going to love it!!
Jackie
Can regular sized chocolate chips be substituted for the mini chocolate chips? I happen to have those on hand.
angelakallison
yes, that works. I hope you love the cake, it's one of my favorites! 🙂
Bridget
This is soo good. I will make cupcakes next time. I love love love this recipe. I used a thermometer to be sure the middle was set.
angelakallison
So happy you loved it!
Nancy
It always bothers me when people rate a recipe that they have changed. I am that person now. I realized half way through making this that I only had 7 ounces or ricotta I substituted the rest with cottage cheese and it turned out amazing. I can only imagine how good this would be with all of the original ingredients.
Charlene
This looks amazing. Can it be mad with part skim ricotta cheese?
angelakallison
yes it can!
Charlene
@angelakallison, Thank you! I made a couple of large lasangas and I always use part skim. I bought a lot more than I needed and have to find a way to use it.
Can"t wait to try it! Happy New year!
Maria warren
Can I use salted butter that’s all I have in the fridge
angelakallison
Yes! Just omit any additional salt in the recipe. Enjoy!
Victoria
This cake is delicious! My batter was a little thinner than in the video, but it didn’t seem to matter. Two questions: Is there a recommended brand of ricotta that’s on the dryer side? And can the cake be stored at room temperature?
angelakallison
I like to use frigo or galbani ricotta. Hope you loved it!
Carol
Can I freeze this cake?
angelakallison
yes! Just place in an airtight container.
Smg65
Made this, followed recipe to a tee. Came out so moist light and delicious! Next time, I am going to use an ORANGE FOR a different flavour to surprise my brother who loves Orange anything. Thanks for the great recipe.
angelakallison
Orange would be delicious! I'm so happy you enjoyed it! 🙂
Diana G
My son is allergic to eggs, do you have any recommendations on a substitution? Thanks!
angelakallison
I've never made this without eggs. However you could try making a flax egg or using applesauce in its place. Let me know how it works for you!
rose333
Can greek yogurt or smooth cottage cheese be used in place of the ricotta? Your thoughts?
angelakallison
I've never done it with either. I would say smooth (blended) cottage cheese may work. Let me know!
Erin
Just made this cake & I could barely wait for it to cool before I tried a piece. It came out amazing! And very easy to put together. After reading through the comments I might add a little almond or orange extract next time for a variation but other than that I wouldn’t change a thing.
angelakallison
So happy you loved it!