The Fluffiest Chocolate Chip Ricotta Crumb Cake Recipe Ever

Chocolate chip ricotta crumb cake elevates ordinary dessert into a luxurious experience that tantalizes taste buds.

Soft, creamy textures mingle with sweet chocolate scattered throughout a tender cake base.

Dense yet delicate, this unexpected treat blends traditional bakery techniques with innovative ingredients.

ricotta brings unexpected moisture and richness, creating a uniquely smooth crumb that melts in your mouth.

Each slice promises a delightful balance between crumbly streusel and rich, silky cake layers.

Home bakers love how simple ingredients can produce such an extraordinary dessert.

The magical combination of chocolate and ricotta elevates this cake from standard to spectacular.

Why You’ll Fall for Chocolate Chip Ricotta Crumb Cake

• Create Luxurious Texture Contrast: The crumbly crust combined with creamy ricotta filling delivers an incredible mouthfeel that dances between crispy and smooth, making every bite an exciting sensory experience.
• Simplify Baking Magic: This recipe transforms basic ingredients into an elegant dessert with minimal technical skills, perfect for home bakers wanting professional-looking results without complicated techniques.
• Customize Chocolate Delight: Mini chocolate chips scattered throughout provide bursts of rich sweetness, allowing chocolate lovers to enjoy delightful cocoa moments in every single slice of this versatile cake.
• Quick Weekend Treat: With just 30-40 minutes of baking time and straightforward preparation steps, this cake becomes an ideal spontaneous dessert for lazy weekend mornings or unexpected guest gatherings.

Pantry Picks for a Ricotta Crumb Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: Neutral base for creating the crumbly cake texture with a soft, tender structure.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with browning and caramelization.
• Baking Powder: Gives the cake its light and airy rise during baking.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness.

• Ricotta Cheese: Creamy filling ingredient that adds moisture and rich, mild flavor.
• Egg: Binds ingredients together and provides structure to both crust and filling.
• Frozen Butter: Creates flaky, tender crumb when grated and mixed into dry ingredients.

• Mini Chocolate Chips: Adds delightful chocolate bursts throughout the cake, creating texture and flavor.
• Powdered Sugar: Light dusting for elegant presentation and subtle additional sweetness.
• Vanilla Ice Cream: Optional serving suggestion for added indulgence.

Instructions for Baking a Moist Crumb Cake

Step 1: Prepare Magical Crumb Base

• Flour
• Granulated sugar
• Baking powder
• Salt

Grate frozen butter into mixture and mix with fork until crumbly.

Add egg and mix until dough slightly holds together.

Step 2: Create Crust Foundation

Press about two-thirds of crumb mixture into cake pan, covering bottom and sides.

Refrigerate crust while preparing filling.

Step 3: Whip Creamy Ricotta Filling

• Drained ricotta
• Granulated sugar
• Egg

Mix until smooth and creamy.

Gently fold in chocolate chips.

Step 4: Assemble Delicious Layers

Remove chilled crust from refrigerator.

Spread ricotta filling evenly across crust.

Sprinkle remaining crumb mixture on top.

Scatter additional chocolate chips over surface.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).

Bake cake for 30-40 minutes until top turns golden brown.

Step 6: Cool and Serve Decadent Treat

Allow cake to cool completely.

Dust with powdered sugar.

Optional: Serve with vanilla ice cream.

Slice and enjoy your homemade masterpiece!

Ricotta Cake Tips That Make a Difference

• Grate the Butter Perfectly: Freeze the butter beforehand and use a box grater for ultra-fine, even crumbs that distribute beautifully throughout the cake.
• Drain Ricotta Thoroughly: Use a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove excess moisture from ricotta, ensuring a creamy, not watery filling.
• Crumple Parchment Like a Pro: Wetting and crumpling the parchment paper helps it conform smoothly to the pan's edges, preventing wrinkles and uneven baking.
• Balance Chocolate Chip Distribution: Mix half the chocolate chips into the filling and sprinkle the rest on top for visual appeal and varied chocolate bursts in every bite.
• Cooling is Crucial: Allow the cake to cool completely before slicing to help the filling set and prevent crumbling, creating clean, picture-perfect slices.

How to Keep Your Crumb Cake at Its Best

• Refrigerate: Store cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or lid to prevent moisture loss.
• Freeze: Wrap individual slices in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving.
• Reheat: Warm cake slices in microwave for 15-20 seconds on medium power. Alternatively, bring to room temperature for 30 minutes before enjoying. Sprinkle fresh powdered sugar on top to refresh the look and taste.

Beverages and More That Complement This Cake

• Pair with Creamy Cappuccino: Rich, smooth cappuccino complements the cake's chocolate and ricotta flavors, cutting through the sweetness with its bold espresso notes.
• Serve alongside Fresh Berries: Tart raspberries or strawberries provide a bright, acidic contrast to the cake's rich, creamy texture, balancing the chocolate and ricotta.
• Match with Dessert Wine: A sweet moscato or late-harvest riesling enhances the cake's delicate sweetness, creating a luxurious dessert experience with its light, fruity undertones.
• Accompany with Vanilla Gelato: Smooth, cold vanilla gelato adds a refreshing element that perfectly matches the cake's warm, crumbly texture and chocolatey richness.

Flavor Mixes for Ricotta Crumb Cake

• Citrus Zest Delight: Enhance the cake by adding lemon or orange zest to the ricotta filling for a bright, refreshing flavor profile. Grate citrus peel directly into the mixture for an aromatic punch.
• Nutty Chocolate Crunch: Incorporate chopped almonds or walnuts into the crumb topping for added texture and depth. Sprinkle the nuts generously over the chocolate chips for a satisfying crunch.
• Berry Swirl Sensation: Gently fold fresh or frozen berries like raspberries or blueberries into the ricotta filling before baking. The berries will create beautiful pockets of color and burst with fruity flavor throughout the cake.
• Spiced Chocolate Version: Mix ground cinnamon or nutmeg into the crumb mixture for a warm, comforting undertone. The spices will complement the chocolate chips and create a more complex taste experience.

Chocolate Chip Ricotta Crumb Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Luxurious chocolate chip ricotta crumb cake brings Italian-inspired comfort to classic American baking. Delicate ricotta creates a moist, tender texture while rich chocolate chips deliver irresistible sweetness you cannot resist.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 2½ cups (590 milliliters) all-purpose flour
• 1½ cups (355 milliliters) + 2 tablespoons ricotta cheese
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) butter, very cold or frozen and grated

Sweeteners and Sugars:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) granulated sugar
• 2–3 tablespoons (30–45 milliliters) powdered/icing sugar
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) mini chocolate chips

Leavening and Seasoning Agents:

• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 pinch salt (if using unsalted butter, add ¼ teaspoon salt)

Binding Ingredients:

• 2 large eggs

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Instructions

1. Thoroughly crumple a large parchment square, dampen it, and line an 8-inch round cake pan, ensuring even coverage and minimal wrinkles.
2. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a spacious mixing bowl, creating a uniform dry mixture.
3. Grate frozen butter directly into the dry ingredients, using a fork to transform the mixture into a coarse, sandy texture.
4. Incorporate an egg into the crumbly dough, mixing until the ingredients barely hold together without becoming overly smooth.
5. Carefully press approximately two-thirds of the crumb mixture into the pan’s bottom and sides, creating an even, sturdy base. Refrigerate while preparing the filling.
6. In a separate bowl, whip ricotta, sugar, and egg until the mixture achieves a silky, consistent cream-like consistency.
7. Gently fold mini chocolate chips into the ricotta mixture, distributing them evenly throughout the filling.
8. Extract the chilled crust from the refrigerator and spread the ricotta filling in a smooth, uniform layer.
9. Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture over the filling, then generously scatter additional mini chocolate chips across the surface.
10. Position the cake in a preheated 350°F oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, monitoring until the top transforms into a rich, golden-brown color.
11. Allow the cake to cool completely at room temperature, ensuring structural integrity and enhanced flavor development.
12. Before serving, dust the surface with a delicate layer of powdered sugar and optionally accompany with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Notes

• Crumple and wet parchment paper creates a unique, easy-to-release cake liner that prevents sticking and adds moisture to the pan.
• Freezing and grating butter helps create a perfect, flaky crumb texture that distributes evenly throughout the cake.
• Use drained ricotta to prevent excess liquid, ensuring a creamy and stable filling that doesn’t make the cake soggy.
• Mini chocolate chips distribute more evenly than regular chips, providing a consistent chocolate flavor in every bite.
• Chilling the crust before adding filling helps set the base and prevents the crumb from becoming too soft or absorbing moisture.
• Cooling the cake completely allows the filling to set and develops deeper, richer flavors, making it taste even better after resting.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Breakfast
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 310
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg