Chocolate Cassata Recipe | King Arthur Baking

Ingredients

• 8 tablespoons (113g) unsalted butter, at room temperature, at least 65°F
• 1 1/2 cups (298g) granulated sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon table salt
• 2 teaspoons King Arthur Pure Vanilla Extract
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon espresso powder, optional
• 2/3 cup (57g) Dutch-process cocoa
• 3 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 1/4 cups (150g) King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
• 3/4 cup (170g) milk, at room temperature
• 2 cups (425g to 454g) ricotta cheese, part-skim preferred
• 1/3 cup (39g) confectioners' sugar
• 1 teaspoon King Arthur Pure Vanilla Extract
• 3/4 cup (170g) semisweet chocolate chips, mini chocolate chips preferred
• 3 tablespoons (43g) simple syrup, to brush on cake, optional
• 1 cup (85g) natural cocoa powder
• 1 3/4 cups (198g) confectioners' sugar, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon espresso powder, optional
• 1/2 cup (113g) heavy cream
• 8 tablespoons (113g) butter, at room temperature, at least 65°F
• 1/8 teaspoon table salt