Italian Love Cake Dessert (Print)

Vanilla and chocolate cake layers paired with creamy filling for a memorable Italian-style dessert.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cake Batter

01 - 1 box (15.25 oz) vanilla cake mix
02 - 1 cup water (240 mL)
03 - 1/2 cup vegetable oil (120 mL)
04 - 3 large eggs

→ Cream Cheese Layer

05 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened (225 g)
06 - 1 cup powdered sugar (120 g)
07 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Cocoa Drizzle and Topping

08 - 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (50 g)
09 - 1 cup milk (240 mL)
10 - 1/2 cup chocolate chips (90 g)

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking pan.
02 - In a large bowl, combine the vanilla cake mix, water, vegetable oil, and eggs, then mix until smooth.
03 - Pour half of the batter into the prepared pan evenly.
04 - In a separate bowl, mix the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
05 - Pour the cream cheese mixture over the batter in the pan, spreading it evenly.
06 - Spoon the remaining batter over the cream cheese layer, covering it as much as possible.
07 - In another bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder and milk until combined, then drizzle this over the batter.
08 - Sprinkle the chocolate chips on top of the batter.
09 - Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
10 - Allow to cool completely before serving.

# Additional Notes:

01 - For a richer flavor, consider adding a teaspoon of espresso powder to the cocoa mixture.
02 - If you're short on time, feel free to substitute homemade cake batter with store-bought cake mix, but aim for quality brands for best results.
03 - Make sure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature for easier mixing and to avoid lumps.
04 - This cake is best served chilled. Refrigerating it for at least an hour after cooling can enhance the flavors.