Light & Fluffy Chocolate Chip Ricotta Crumb Cake Recipe

Bakers have long sought the perfect blend of tender, moist cake with irresistible chocolate chip ricotta crumb cake that melts in your mouth.

This delightful dessert combines the richness of ricotta with the classic comfort of a traditional crumb cake.

Silky cheese and chocolate chips create a luxurious texture that dances between creamy and crumbly.

Each slice promises a symphony of flavors that will make your taste buds sing with delight.

The subtle sweetness and buttery crumb topping add depth to every single bite.

Warm from the oven or enjoyed at room temperature, this cake turns an ordinary moment into something extraordinary.

Dive into this decadent recipe and experience a slice of pure culinary bliss.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30-40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 220 kcal

Servings: 13

Chocolate Chip Ricotta Crumb Cake Ingredients

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and creates the delightful crumbly base for the cake, ensuring a tender texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a golden-brown crust with a delicate crunch.
• Frozen Butter: Grated frozen butter creates flaky, melt-in-your-mouth crumbs with exceptional texture.
• Egg: Binds the crumb mixture, helping it hold together while adding richness to the base.

• Ricotta Cheese: Creamy and smooth base that brings a light, delicate texture to the cake, choose fresh and well-drained ricotta for best results.
• Granulated Sugar: Balances the ricotta's mild flavor and adds a perfect touch of sweetness.
• Egg: Helps set the filling and create a smooth, custard-like consistency.
• Mini Chocolate Chips: Adds delightful bursts of chocolate throughout the creamy filling, select high-quality chips for maximum flavor.

• Powdered Sugar: Light dusting adds a beautiful presentation and subtle sweetness to the finished cake.
• Vanilla Ice Cream (Optional): Provides a cool, creamy complement to the warm cake, enhancing the overall dessert experience.

Tools for Assembling Ricotta Crumb Cake

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining dry ingredients and creating the crumb crust.
• Medium mixing bowl: Perfect for preparing the creamy ricotta filling.
• 8-inch round cake pan: Key for baking and shaping the crumb cake.
• Parchment paper: Helps line the pan and prevent sticking.
• Whisk: Great for blending dry ingredients smoothly.
• Fork: Useful for mixing butter into the crumb mixture.
• Grater: Needed to grate the frozen butter into small pieces.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient quantities.

Steps to Bake Chocolate Chip Ricotta Crumb Cake

• Crumbly Foundation

Create a delightful base using flour, sugar, and butter. Mix ingredients until they resemble soft, sandy texture that will form the cake’s delicious framework.

• Chilled Preparation

Carefully press most of the crumbly mixture into a round cake pan, ensuring an even coating along the bottom and sides. Chill the crust to help it set perfectly.

• Creamy Filling

Blend ricotta with sugar and egg until smooth and silky. Gently fold in tiny chocolate morsels, creating a luscious center that will make taste buds dance.

• Chocolate Sprinkle Magic

Drizzle remaining crumb mixture over the ricotta layer. Scatter extra chocolate chips across the top for bursts of sweet surprise.

• Oven Transformation

Slide the cake into a warm oven at 350°F. Watch as golden edges develop and the aroma fills your kitchen with anticipation.

• Cooling Moment

Allow the cake to rest and cool completely. This patience ensures perfect texture and helps flavors meld together beautifully.

• Elegant Finish

Dust with powdered sugar for a delicate, cloud-like appearance. Serve alongside a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream for an extra touch of indulgence.

Tips for Moist Cake and Crunchy Topping

• Replace mini chocolate chips with chopped dark, milk, or white chocolate for a personalized flavor profile that matches your taste preferences.
• Wrap the cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 weeks, ensuring a delightful treat is always ready when unexpected guests arrive or sweet cravings hit.
• Drain ricotta cheese overnight in a cheesecloth-lined strainer for an extra-thick, creamy filling that holds its shape perfectly and prevents excess moisture in the cake.
• Enhance the cake's complexity by adding a pinch of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or orange zest to the crumb mixture, creating a subtle depth of flavor that surprises and delights.
• Transform this simple cake into an elegant dessert by pairing it with fresh berries, a dollop of whipped cream, or a drizzle of warm chocolate sauce for an impressive presentation that elevates the entire experience.

Serving Ideas for Ricotta Crumb Cake

• Brunch Companion: Pair this delightful crumb cake with a fresh cup of coffee or tea for a relaxing morning treat that feels like a warm hug.
• Sweet Dessert Transformation: Drizzle warm chocolate sauce or caramel over a slice to elevate the cake into an indulgent after-dinner dessert perfect for special occasions.
• Creamy Accompaniment: Serve alongside a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of gelato to add extra richness and complement the cake's delicate ricotta texture.
• Party Presentation: Cut into small squares for a beautiful potluck or afternoon tea spread, making it an easy-to-share and crowd-pleasing dessert option.

How to Store Chocolate Chip Crumb Cake

• Smart Storage Solutions: Transfer leftover cake slices into an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid to maintain freshness for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freezer-Friendly Strategy: Wrap individual cake portions in plastic wrap, then place inside a freezer-safe bag. Frozen slices can stay delicious for up to 2 months when properly sealed.
• Temperature Considerations: Always store the ricotta-based cake in the coldest part of your refrigerator to prevent bacterial growth and maintain optimal texture.
• Quick Serving Tips: Remove cake from refrigerator 15-20 minutes before serving to allow it to reach room temperature, which enhances the chocolate chip flavor and softens the crumb texture.

Fluffy Chocolate Chip Ricotta Crumb Cake

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4.6 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Sweet and moist chocolate chip ricotta crumb cake delivers a delightful blend of creamy ricotta and rich chocolate. Homemade comfort presents a simple yet indulgent dessert you’ll savor bite after delectable bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 large eggs
• 1½ cups (355 ml) + 2 tbsps ricotta cheese
• 1 cup (240 ml) granulated sugar
• 2½ cups (590 ml) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (120 ml) mini chocolate chips
• ½ cup (120 ml) butter, very cold or frozen and grated
• 2–3 tbsps (30–45 ml) powdered/icing sugar
• 2 tsps baking powder
• 1 pinch salt (if using unsalted butter, add ¼ tsp salt)

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Instructions

1. Prepare Pan: Crumple and dampen a parchment square, lining an 8-inch round cake pan with minimal wrinkles for easy removal.
2. Create Crumb Base: Blend flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt, then grate frozen butter into the mixture. Use a fork to transform into a sandy texture, incorporating an egg until ingredients barely hold together.
3. Form Crust: Press two-thirds of the crumb mixture into the pan’s bottom and sides, creating an even base. Refrigerate while preparing the filling.
4. Craft Ricotta Filling: Whip ricotta, sugar, and egg into a silky cream, gently folding in mini chocolate chips for even distribution.
5. Assemble Cake: Remove chilled crust from refrigerator, spread ricotta filling in a uniform layer. Sprinkle remaining crumb mixture and additional chocolate chips across the surface.
6. Bake and Cool: Slide cake into a preheated 350°F oven for 35-40 minutes until the top achieves a golden-brown hue. Cool completely at room temperature to enhance flavor and structure.
7. Finish and Serve: Dust with powdered sugar and optionally pair with vanilla ice cream for a decadent presentation.

Notes

• Chill the Crust: Refrigerating the crumb base helps it set firmly and prevents sogginess, creating a crisp foundation for your cake.
• Butter Grating Trick: Freeze butter beforehand and grate it directly into dry ingredients for ultra-light, evenly distributed crumbs that melt perfectly in your mouth.
• Gentle Mixing Matters: Avoid overmixing the dough to maintain a tender, crumbly texture that doesn’t become tough or dense.
• Topping Technique: Sprinkle chocolate chips generously on top for a delightful visual appeal and extra chocolatey crunch in every bite.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30-40 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Breakfast
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 220
• Sugar: 15 g
• Sodium: 85 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg