Italian Love Cake

Oh yes 😍—Italian Love Cake is a tender, buttery cake layered with chocolate and often laced with rum or almond flavor—rich, soft, and utterly indulgent. It’s a classic Italian dessert that feels both elegant and comforting.

Here’s a traditional-style version you can make at home:

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🍰 Italian Love Cake

Ingredients

For the Cake:

• 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour

• 2 tsp baking powder

• ¼ tsp salt

• ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened

• 1 cup (200 g) sugar

• 3 large eggs

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• ½ cup (120 ml) milk

• ¼ cup (60 ml) strong brewed coffee (optional, enhances chocolate flavor)

For the Chocolate Layer:

• 4 oz (115 g) semi-sweet chocolate, melted

• ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream

For Optional Syrup:

• 2 Tbsp sugar

• 2 Tbsp water

• 1–2 Tbsp rum or brandy

For Topping (optional):

• Powdered sugar

• Cocoa powder

• Sliced almonds or chocolate shavings

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Instructions

1. Make the cake

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8-inch round pan.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.

3. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

4. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla.

5. Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk (and coffee if using) until smooth.

6. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake 30–35 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.

2. Prepare chocolate layer

1. Heat cream until just simmering. Pour over melted chocolate and stir until smooth and glossy. Let cool slightly.

3. Optional syrup

• Combine sugar and water in a small saucepan, heat until dissolved. Add rum/brandy. Brush over cooled cake layers for extra moistness and flavor.

4. Assemble cake

1. Slice cake horizontally into 2 layers.

2. Spread chocolate layer between cake layers and over the top.

3. Dust with powdered sugar or cocoa, and garnish with almonds or chocolate shavings.

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Tips for Perfect Italian Love Cake

• Coffee optional: enhances chocolate depth but can be skipped.

• Chocolate ganache: slightly warm ganache spreads more smoothly over cake.

• Make ahead: cake tastes better after a few hours or overnight as flavors meld.

• Variations: add a touch of almond extract or orange zest for a subtle twist.

This cake is moist, tender, and decadently chocolatey, with a melt-in-your-mouth texture—perfect for special occasions or a romantic dessert.

If you want, I can also give a quick, one-bowl version of Italian Love Cake that’s ready in under an hour and still incredibly rich