Double Chocolate Ricotta Marble Cake Recipe

Heavenly Double Chocolate Ricotta Marble Cake Recipe

Decadent swirls of rich double chocolate ricotta marble cake dance across your plate, promising an indulgent dessert experience.

Silky ricotta cheese brings unexpected smoothness to this classic treat.

Each slice reveals mesmerizing chocolate patterns that entice dessert enthusiasts.

Layers of deep cocoa and delicate cheese create a harmonious blend of flavors.

chocolate lovers will adore the luxurious texture and intense taste.

This cake emerges as a stunning centerpiece for any gathering.

Prepare to be enchanted by every delectable bite.

FAQs

  • What makes the marble effect in this cake?

The marble effect is created by alternating spoonfuls of plain and chocolate batters in the pan, then gently swirling them together with a knife or skewer, which creates beautiful swirled patterns throughout the cake.

  • Can I make this cake without chocolate chips?

Yes, the chocolate chips are optional. You can skip them entirely or substitute with other mix-ins like chopped nuts or white chocolate chips if you prefer.

  • Why is ricotta cheese used in this cake?

Ricotta adds moisture and a subtle richness to the cake, making it tender and creating a unique texture that’s different from traditional cakes. It helps keep the cake soft and smooth.

Why Double Chocolate Marble Cake Stands Out

  • Master Flavor Complexity: Dive into a symphony of caramelized onions, rich Gruyere cheese, and tangy balsamic glaze that creates an extraordinary culinary experience beyond traditional tart recipes.
  • Tackle Gourmet Cooking: Challenge your kitchen skills with a sophisticated French-inspired dish that transforms simple ingredients into an impressive, restaurant-quality masterpiece perfect for adventurous home cooks.
  • Celebrate Versatile Entertaining: Serve this stunning tarte as a showstopping appetizer, elegant side dish, or centerpiece for dinner parties, brunch gatherings, or special weekend meals that will wow your guests with minimal fuss.
  • Customize Culinary Creativity: Experiment with different cheese variations, swap onion types, or adjust spice levels to make this recipe uniquely yours while maintaining its classic French charm.

Double Chocolate Ricotta Marble Cake Ingredients

Main Ingredients:
  • Butter: A rich, creamy ingredient that adds moisture and helps create a tender cake texture.
  • Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a light, fluffy cake structure.
  • Ricotta Cheese: Adds moisture, richness, and a subtle tangy flavor to the cake.
  • Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and contribute to the cake's structure and rise.
  • Flour: The primary dry ingredient that forms the base of the cake.
Chocolate Components:
  • Cocoa Powder: Delivers deep chocolate flavor and gives the cake its rich brown color.
  • Chocolate Chips: Provides extra bursts of chocolate throughout the cake.
Leavening and Seasoning:
  • Baking Powder, Salt: Help the cake rise and enhance the overall flavor profile.
  • Milk: An optional ingredient to adjust the batter's consistency if needed.

Steps for Marble Cake With Double Chocolate

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Get your oven ready by heating it to 350°F. Prepare a 9-inch round cake pan by greasing and flouring it or lining with parchment paper.

Step 2: Whip Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, beat softened butter and sugar until they become light, fluffy, and creamy. This process takes about 3-4 minutes of continuous mixing.

Step 3: Blend Creamy Ingredients

Add ricotta cheese and eggs to the butter-sugar mixture. Blend until the mixture becomes smooth and well combined.

Step 4: Combine Dry Elements

In a separate bowl, mix together:
  • Flour
  • Baking powder
  • Cocoa powder
  • Pinch of salt

Whisk these ingredients until they are evenly distributed.

Step 5: Merge Wet and Dry Mixtures

Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture.

Mix until just combined. If the batter seems too thick, you can add a splash of milk to achieve a smoother consistency.

Step 6: Create Chocolate Variation

Divide the batter into two portions. In one half, gently fold in:
  • Chocolate chips
  • Extra cocoa powder

This will enhance the chocolate flavor and create depth.

Step 7: Craft the Marble Design

Pour alternating spoonfuls of plain and chocolate batters into the prepared pan. Use a knife or skewer to gently swirl the batters together, creating a beautiful marbled pattern.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Place the cake in the preheated oven. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 9: Cool and Rest

Remove the cake from the oven. Let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 10: Decorate and Serve

For a final touch, dust the cooled cake with powdered sugar or drizzle with melted chocolate before serving.

Notes for Rich Ricotta Chocolate Marble Cake

  • Add milk gradually to prevent a dry cake, ensuring a rich, tender crumb that melts in your mouth.
  • Use a gentle zigzag motion when creating marble effect to achieve beautiful, natural-looking patterns without overmixing.
  • Toss chocolate chips in a bit of flour before adding to batter to prevent them from sinking during baking.
  • Let ingredients like butter, eggs, and ricotta sit at room temperature for smoother blending and better cake texture.
  • Wipe knife or skewer clean between swirls to maintain distinct chocolate and vanilla layers in the marble design.

Marble Cake Variations to Try at Home

  • Gluten-Free Chocolate Ricotta Marble Cake: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free blend for a celiac-friendly version. Use certified gluten-free cocoa powder to ensure complete dietary compatibility.
  • Vegan Chocolate Ricotta Alternative: Substitute ricotta with silken tofu or cashew cream. Replace eggs with flax eggs and use dairy-free dark chocolate chips. Select plant-based butter for a completely vegan cake experience.
  • Low-Sugar Chocolate Marble Cake: Swap granulated sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia. Reduce overall sugar content while maintaining rich chocolate flavor. Add extra cocoa powder for intense chocolate notes without additional sweetness.
  • Nutty Chocolate Ricotta Variation: Incorporate chopped walnuts or almonds into the batter. Mix ground nuts directly into chocolate portion for added texture and nutty complexity.

Drinks and Sides With Chocolate Marble Cake

  • Pair Creamy Chocolate with Rich Red Wine: Select a bold, full-bodied red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot that complements the cake's deep chocolate notes and ricotta creaminess.
  • Enhance Dessert with Espresso Shots: Serve small espresso shots alongside the cake to highlight the chocolate's intensity and provide a classic Italian-style coffee pairing that cuts through the cake's richness.
  • Create Fruity Contrast with Raspberry Coulis: Drizzle a tangy raspberry sauce around the cake slice to introduce a bright, acidic element that balances the chocolate's sweetness and adds a vibrant color contrast.
  • Elevate Experience with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Add a scoop of premium vanilla bean ice cream next to the cake slice, creating a temperature and texture contrast that amplifies the dessert's decadent qualities.

How to Keep Marble Cake Soft and Moist

  • Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap or place in an airtight container. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, ensuring maximum freshness and preventing dryness.
  • Slice the cake, wrap each piece individually in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months, maintaining its delicious texture and flavor.
  • Store at room temperature in a sealed container for 2-3 days, ideal for maintaining softness and preventing refrigerator-induced hardening.
  • Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300F for 5-7 minutes, restoring the cake's original moisture and warmth.
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Double Chocolate Ricotta Marble Cake Recipe

Double Chocolate Ricotta Marble Cake Recipe


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4.5 from 39 reviews

  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Rich double chocolate ricotta marble cake swirls delectable layers of cocoa and cream into a mesmerizing dessert. Chocolate lovers will savor each luxurious slice, experiencing pure Italian-inspired indulgence with creamy ricotta and deep chocolate notes.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

Sweeteners and Chocolate:

  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/4 cup milk

Leavening and Seasoning:

  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350F (175C) and preparing a 9-inch round cake pan with grease, flour, or parchment paper.
  2. Create a creamy base by thoroughly blending softened butter and granulated sugar until achieving a light, airy texture, approximately 3-4 minutes.
  3. Incorporate ricotta cheese and eggs into the butter-sugar mixture, whisking until achieving a smooth, uniform consistency.
  4. Separately combine dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, cocoa powder, and a pinch of salt, ensuring even distribution.
  5. Gradually integrate dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. If needed, add milk to maintain optimal batter consistency.
  6. Divide the batter into two portions, with one half receiving additional chocolate chips and cocoa powder for enhanced chocolate flavor.
  7. Create a marbled effect by alternating spoonfuls of plain and chocolate batters in the prepared pan, then gently swirling with a knife or skewer.
  8. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean.
  9. Allow cake to rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.
  10. Optionally embellish with a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted chocolate before serving.

Notes

  • Soften butter completely at room temperature for smoother creaming and better cake texture.
  • Use full-fat ricotta cheese to ensure rich, moist cake with creamy consistency.
  • Avoid overmixing batter to prevent tough, dense cake; mix just until ingredients are combined.
  • Gently fold chocolate chips to distribute evenly without deflating the batter’s airiness.
  • Swirl marbling technique sparingly to maintain distinct chocolate and vanilla patterns.
  • Check cake doneness early to prevent overbaking, which can dry out the delicate texture.
  • Allow cake to cool completely before slicing to maintain structural integrity.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 258 kcal
  • Sugar: 13 g
  • Sodium: 95 mg
  • Fat: 15 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 26 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 6 g
  • Cholesterol: 75 mg
Jess Martinez

Jess Martinez

Contributing Recipe Writer & Nutrition Consultant

Expertise

Southwestern and Latin American cooking, Nutritional analysis and healthy recipe planning, Cultural food traditions, Modifying traditional dishes for better health

Education

Santa Fe Community College
Certificate in Culinary Arts

Focused on mastering the flavors and cooking methods of traditional Southwestern cuisine.


Jess’s love for bold, homegrown flavors led her straight into the world of Southwestern cooking and cultural nutrition.
After completing her Certificate in Culinary Arts at Santa Fe Community College, she made it her mission to show that good-for-you food can still taste incredible.
At saltytart.com, Jess shares vibrant, health-conscious recipes with roots in tradition but a fresh, modern twist. When she’s not testing new recipes, you’ll find her at local growers’ markets, tending her herb garden, or digging into food history books.

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