Name: Cannoli Cake
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 12 servings
Cuisine: Europe, Italian
Ingredients: 1 package French vanilla cake mix (regular size); FILLING:; 1 carton (15 ounces) ricotta cheese; 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar; 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 1 teaspoon almond extract; 1 teaspoon rum extract; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped; FROSTING:; 2 cartons (8 ounces each) mascarpone cheese; 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar, sifted; 1/4 cup whole milk; 2 teaspoons almond extract; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 cup sliced almonds; 2 tablespoons miniature semisweet chocolate chips

A luscious, chocolate-studded cannoli filling separates the tender layers of this rich cannoli cake, which (surprise!) starts with a packaged mix. Serve it chilled, with Italian red wine, as desired.

Ingredients

1 package French vanilla cake mix (regular size)

FILLING:

1 carton (15 ounces) ricotta cheese

1/2 cup confectioners' sugar

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon almond extract

1 teaspoon rum extract

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped

FROSTING:

2 cartons (8 ounces each) mascarpone cheese

3/4 cup confectioners' sugar, sifted

1/4 cup whole milk

2 teaspoons almond extract

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup sliced almonds

2 tablespoons miniature semisweet chocolate chips

Instructions

1 Bake the cake mix

2 Prepare and bake the cake mix according to the package directions, using two greased and floured 9-inch round baking pans. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before removing them to wire racks to cool completely.

3 Make the filling

4 In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, confectioners' sugar, cinnamon and extracts, then stir in the chocolate.

5 Make the frosting

6 In another bowl, beat the mascarpone cheese, confectioners' sugar, milk and extracts on medium speed until creamy (do not overmix).

7 Make the cake layers

8 Place one cake layer on a serving plate, then spread it with 1 cup of filling. Top with the second cake layer. Spread the remaining filling over the top of the cake to within 1 inch of the edge. Frost the sides and top edge of the cake with 2 cups of frosting.

9 Decorate and refrigerate

10 Press almonds into the sides of the cake, sprinkle chocolate chips on top, then refrigerate. Let the chilled cake sit on the counter for at least 30 minutes before serving.