Here’s a confession. I’m really not a great cake baker. Sure, I’ve baked enough of them, but there’s something about cake that I find so intimidating. Cupcakes are much friendlier and way more forgiving. They don’t generally fall apart and if you bake one batch a bit too long, you can just pop another batch in the oven. Frosting cupcakes is also much more straightforward and if you mess up on one, just move on to the next. Cake? Not so much. It’s much more of a commitment, too. I bake cupcakes for fun all the time, but I never bake cakes unless it’s for a special occasion.
Like birthdays. While scouring the internetz for a cake to make for my mom’s birthday last month, I landed upon this Chocolate Ricotta Icebox Cake from Martha Stewart. After my parents went to Italy a couple years ago, they came back raving about the ricotta pie they tried. Ricotta is probably on the bottom of my “I love cheese” list, but when I tried the pie, I loved it, too. However, we are very much a chocolate family. So, when I spotted a chocolate ricotta cake from Martha, I knew it was going to be a winner. I made some alterations and added a couple ingredients to give the cake more depth (seriously, the original recipe only had 4 ingredients!) and the final product was perfection. Enormous bonus points to the fact that this cake was SO easy to make. No baking; just waiting while it chills. I can handle that.
Chocolate Ricotta Cake (serves about 8):
Adapted from Martha Stewart
Print this recipe!
- 12 oz. semisweet chocolate (not chocolate chips), plus more for shaving on top
- 2 containers (15 oz. each) part-skim ricotta cheese
- 1 t espresso powder
- 2 T vanilla
- 3/4 C heavy cream
- 1 package (9 oz.) chocolate wafers
Start by preparing your 9-inch springform pan. Remove the sides and place a sheet of waxed paper on the bottom, leaving an overhang. Lock the sides in to secure the paper and spray the inside of the pan with cooking spray. Then line the sides with a strip of waxed paper (28 inches long and 4 inches wide).
I chose to use semisweet Scharffen Berger chocolate because I knew it would make an absolutely decadent cake.
Break up the chocolate and melt it in a double burner, or in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Stir occasionally until the chocolate is melted.
Blend the ricotta in a food processor until it’s nice and smooth, about one minute.
Add the melted chocolate and blend until smooth. Mix in the espresso and vanilla, too.
In a large bowl, use a hand mixer (or whisk) to beat the cream until stiff peaks form.
Then fold in the chocolate-ricotta mixer.
Place half the wafer cookies in an overlapping fashion on the bottom of the springform pan.
Spoon half the chocolate ricotta mixture over the cookies.
And arrange the remaining cookies on top of the chocolate ricotta mixture.
And put the remaining ricotta mixture on top, smoothing it out as much as possible.
Now comes the waiting game. Cover the cake n plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or up to 2 days. You see? It’s the best cake ever since you can make it 2 days ahead of time and not be stressing at the last minute!
When you’re ready to serve, release the sides of the pan and peel away the waxed paper from the sides of the pan. Life cake onto a platter and remove the waxed paper from the bottom as you’re lifting the cake.
Obviously put some candles on it if you’re celebrating a birthday. And sing a little happy birthday, too 
This cake was pretty incredible, especially considering how easy it was to make! Honestly, I would make this cake again even if it was a whole lot more difficult to make. It was delightfully creamy and chocolatey, with a little bit of crunch from the cookies. Basically heavenly.
If you enjoy a ultra rich cane with lots of depth, definitely try this out. And don’t wait for a special occasion either. I mean, it wouldn’t hurt to just have this chilling in the fridge to help you get through a long week. Am I right?
Twitter Party with Angelo Surmelis and O.co and a GIVEAWAY!:
Are you free Wednesday night and a fan of HGTV? I’m not going to lie- I spend a lot of time watching HGTV, even though it makes me insanely jealous. Especially when I’m watching house hunters and see how much cheaper houses are pretty much everywhere in this country than in the Boston-area. It’s seriously depressing. But I still continue to watch. And many of HGTV’s other shows give me major inspiration for SOME DAY when I have a house… or an area of space that’s large enough to furnish. So, when Justine emailed us and asked if we wanted to join a Twitter party with Angelo Surmelis of HGTV’s Rate My Space, I thought, of course! I’m disappointed I can’t attend since I already have plans on Wed. evening, but I still wanted to tell all of you about it! Plus, I wanted to offer you a chance to win a $30 gift certificate from O.co (also known as Overstock.com).
So, during the O.co Twitter party, Angelo will be answering all your questions about home design and sharing tips and tricks to help improve your space. How fun is that? Whether you live in a tiny apartment or just bought your dream home (lucky!!), I’m sure Angelo will be willing to help you. Not only that, but you will have the chance to win one of six O.co gift cards, as long as you follow @Odotco and @AngeloSurmelis. If you want to join in the Twitter chat, just be sure to RSVP here. And use the hashtag #OandHome while you’re chatting. The party starts at 8 p.m.!
Angelo’s style totally floats my boat and his entire collection on O.co is seriously swoon-worthy. I have no idea what my eventual long-term living space will look like, but I do know I would like it to involve this chair.
Or possibly this one:
And definitely this one:
If you can’t attend the Twitter party or just feel like having another chance to win, we’re also giving away a $30 O.co gift card here. All you have to do to win is tell us which piece of Angelo Surmelis furniture or decor is your favorite and follow O.co on Twitter and Facebook, too.
Leave a comment here by Friday, October 14 at 11:59 p.m. for a chance to win!
Good luck and have a happy week
[Sues]
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Definitely the Napa Springs Tulip Red wicker set
With an ingredient list like that, how could it not be amazing? Love ricotta
OMG! the ricotta cake is what i NEED right now. need to make it soon.
I love icebox cakes!! This sounds delicious and oh-so-eary (exactly my type of cake). I am already thinking of when I can make this – and I will probably garnish with some strawberries or raspberries… Yum!
Oh and my favorite piece would have to be the Bradstreet Marzipan Cream Renu Loveseat – it actually fits my current decor right now and would be perfect for my apartment!
Following on Twitter and Facebook too
I cannot wait to try this love ricotta, love chocolate and I’m so addicted to those expensive little wafer cookies how can I not try it possibly this weekend lol. My question I don’t like flat cakes lol so do you think doubling this would work to make it higher and fill up the pan more? I think this would be a wonderful addition to Christmas Desert this and Eggnog Cheesecake yum
lol I was so excited by this recipe for having all my favorites in it plus looking easy I forgot to say I will probably use full fat ricotta well because i’m italian and my mother would never use low fat on any ricotta whether it be desert or pasta and I figure on desert its the one time you can have all the goodness of the full fat and not feel guilty and again can you tell how excited I am about this recipe. I have her cookbooks but I don’t remember seeing this one. hmmm off to look
That looks rich and delicious! Looks like you are a good cake baker to me:-)
this cake sounds soo good! and since my oven isn’t working at the moment, this is perfect!
Oh, this cake looks divine. I love the wafer cookies and the silky filling! I’m always interested in patio furnishings. The wicker chairs look super comfy!
I am following Angelo on twitter and O.co on Facebook and twitter. I love almost every single piece. But I am in LOVE with the: HOME Modern Damask Black and White Chair. Both the arm chair and armless chair are beautiful.
WOW! That cake looks so good! Love the idea of the combination of textures with the wafers and the filling!
I have an addiction to purple and green so I LOVE that purple chair. And how you feel about cakes is how I feel about pies. I’ve wanted to attempt one, but they always scare me off.
All of those chairs are fantastic! And that cake. . . adding it to my must-make list!
I cannot wait to try that cake.
I’m a huge fan of teal right now, I can’t wait to get my hands on that chair.
Mmmmm, that chocolate ricotta cake sounds heavenly!
Since I won’t be able to break away from the television and watching our Brewers play the Cardinals I can’t attend the Twitter party but what a great giveaway!
I love the angelo:HOME Grant Twillo Lotus Green Arm Chair. I also like them on facebook & twitter
littlegray88 at yahoo dot com
I’ve been to the Scharffen Berger Factory and done a tour! So much fun!
Oh my goodness, and I want the Red Pyramid Trunk Coffee Table! LOVE!
Damask is extremely trendy right now, but I know if I had the Modern Damask Black and White Armless Chair I would die of happiness and never ever get rid of it.
YOWZA! the sight of that cake made me salivate! The money shot was that silken chocolate deliciousness right before the first layer. I imagined myself prematurely licking the spatula! oh good lord!
Love the red trunk table, perfect for my living room!
Love, Love, Love the teal trunk, I have a quiet and understated love affair with teal and this coffee table/trunk is beautiful! http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/angelo-HOME-Turquoise-Pyramid-Trunk-Coffee-Table/6002318/product.html
The Harlow Clay Mango armchair!
Oh, and I love this chocolate ricotta cake recipe…yummy!
I like the Damask armless chair!
This chocolate ricotta looks and sounds absolutely heavenly.
i have a new appreciation for ricotta after trying some of the real fresh stuff! (sorry part skim, our days are numbered!!) sounds like a great recipe
Now that looks like a fantastic cake! What a nice daughter you are for making this
Ummmm I’m obsessed with the turquoise chair!
AHHH!! Marlowe Bed in Brown Leather alongside the Davis Chair in Yellow and White floral!!
This cake was very delicious and much appreciated by all who were lucky enough to share it for a fabulous Birthday party!!
cakes scare me, too. especially layer ones with lots of frosting.
yours looks like it turned out pretty fantastically, though. i’d make that in a heartbeat!
follow o+co! love the ennis shoreline aqua blue sofa. so cute and looks comfy. also, that cake is calling my name. serious sweet tooth over here!
I like the angelo:HOME Napa Springs Tulip Red Indoor/Outdoor Resin Wicker Arm Chair (Set of 2) ….and i am following O.co on twitter and facebook! Thanks.