Italian Love Cupcakes

Prep 15 min
Total 1 hr 25 min
Servings 24

Chocolaty fudge cupcakes topped with chocolate frosting get some Italian lovin' thanks to a layer of ricotta cheese filling. Add some white chocolate shavings for an elegant touch.

By Stephanie Wise

Updated May 18, 2016

Make with

Betty Crocker Cake Mix

Ingredients

Cake Layer

1

box Betty Crocker™ Super Moist™ chocolate fudge cake mix
1 1/4

cups water
1/2

cup vegetable oil
3

eggs

Ricotta Layer

2

containers (15 oz each) whole-milk ricotta cheese
3/4

cup sugar
1

teaspoon vanilla
4

eggs

Frosting

1

box (6-serving size) chocolate instant pudding and pie filling mix
1

cup milk
1 1/2

cups whipped cream or Cool Whip frozen whipped topping, thawed

Steps

1

Heat oven to 350°F. Place paper baking cup in each of 24 regular-size muffin cups.
2

In large bowl, beat Cake Layer ingredients with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds. Increase speed to medium; beat 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally.
3

In separate large bowl, mix Ricotta Layer ingredients until combined.
4

Fill each muffin cup about one-third full with cake batter (you may not use all the batter). Divide ricotta mixture evenly among cups.
5

Bake 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes; remove from muffin cups to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
6

When cupcakes are completely cooled, make frosting. In large bowl, beat pudding mix and milk with whisk until combined and set. Fold in whipped cream. Pipe frosting on top of cupcakes.

Garnish cupcakes with white chocolate shavings or chocolate chips.
Cupcakes taste even better the next day if covered and chilled overnight.
Any leftover cake batter can be baked into regular cupcakes then frozen for a later use.