I love doctored cake mix recipes and when in a hurry to bring a cake to a dinner party, potluck, or just because the cake is outstanding in flavors, this is my first pick.
The recipe is super easy to prepare, the cheesecake ricotta layer on top is baked right in and it becomes a moist festive cake for Easter time for a quick dessert.
Our doctored marble cake mix bakes perfectly in just about any kind of pan although we use a 13 x 9 sheet and cut it into squares when ready to serve.
Save a few extra maraschino cherries and grated chocolate to sprinkle on top of a dollop of whipped cream and you will turn this ordinary cake into a beautiful addition to any dessert table.
We love making easy cakes with a cake mix and fooling everyone it's not from scratch.
I have made delicious Sour Cream Coffee Cupcakes using a cake mix, cookies, and even a Scrumptious Banana Cake Mix Cake that all taste like they were from scratch!
We even love using cookie mixes for great chocolate chip cheesecake bars!
Scroll down to the printable recipe card for this delicious easy doctored cake mix recipe!
Easy Dessert Ideas
This cake has the creamiest most delicious topping with a swirl of vanilla and chocolate cake under it and so delicious.
It can be transformed into a beautiful cake or served plain with a dollop of whipped cream on top or dusted with powdered sugar.
Of course, if you prefer to make the Authentic Easter Italian Cassata, my mom's recipe is over 100 years old to try.
The cake is moist and the cherries and added chocolate give it the perfect balance of flavors.
I prefer to use a good brand name cake and also switch flavors now and then and make all chocolate cake or white cake.
Topped with whipped cream and sprinkled with nuts, chocolate, and cherries, it's an Easter-time favorite dessert.
Fruit Substitutions for Cherries or Strawberry Allergies
- Red Raspberries
- Blackberries
- Dried Cranberries
- Boysenberries
Tips:
- grease and flour your pan
- preheat the oven
- use any size pan for two rounds, 13 x 9, springform or make cupcakes with this recipe
- blot the fruit with paper towels
- use whole milk ricotta cheese
- any cake mix will work with this basic recipe
- Use a different fruit as suggested for food allergies
- Cake mixes with pudding in it work fine also
- Make a chocolate cake mix with the ricotta and chocolate you can omit the cherries and add chocolate whipped cream topping for a garnish (see photo below)
Ingredients You Will Need
- eggs
- ricotta
- maraschino cherries or citron
- grated chocolate or mini chocolate chips
- marble cake mix or another flavor you prefer
- Garnish Options
- whipped cream
- cherries or strawberries
- pistachio nuts finely chopped
- oil spray and flour to grease the pan you're using
Doctored Cake Mix Recipes
Red Velvet CakeCarrot Cake
Banana Cake
Dark Fudge Cake
Peach Dump Cake
Cake Mix Lemon Bars
Topping Suggestions
- Dusted with powdered sugar
- Real sweetened whipped cream
- Whipped Non-Dairy Topping
- Drizzle with hot fudge sauce
- Ice cream
- If using all chocolate cake mix, add cocoa powder to the whipped cream for a chocolate whipped cream or hot fudge
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Calling all Non-Bakers
This can be the most impressive and easiest cake to make if you're just starting out as a new baker or hate to bake.
This ricotta cake is so delicious everyone will rave about it and think you made this from scratch.
The best part is, using a cake mix makes this a foolproof Mock Easter Cassata Cake that everyone will love this recipe idea instead of rolling the dough and making everything from scratch for Authentic Easter Cassata.
We do have another Mini Version made from scratch in cupcake tins we call Mini Cassata Easter Cheesecakes you can also try.
For a Roundup of Italian Desserts and delicious recipes, do try our Best Easter Family Dinner Favorites!
Easy Mock Easter Cassata Cake
Yield: 18
Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 55 MinTotal time: 1 H & 5 M
This is a marble cake mix baked with a ricotta cheese layer on top that has maraschino cherries and chocolate added. A delicious cake served at Easter time we call mock cassata cake.
Ingredients
- Cake:
- 1 box of your favorite marble flavored cake mix or use all chocolate, vanilla, or another flavor you prefer
- ingredients listed on the package of the box
- Topping:
- 2 lbs whole milk Ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 4 eggs
- 1/2 cup grated milk chocolate bar or mini chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup chopped maraschino cherries blotted dry or you can use citron which is a candied fruit medley
- Garnish Suggestions:
- Whipped cream
- mini chocolate chips or grated chocolate bar
- maraschino cherries left whole blotted dry
- sliced or whole strawberries to top the whipped cream
- finely chopped pistachio nuts
- See notes for other options
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350.
- Grease and flour a 13 x 9-inch pan.
- In a large mixer make the cake to your package instructions and pour it into a greased 13 x 9-inch pan.
- In a clean large bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, sugar, eggs, cherries, and chocolate.
- Pour cheese topping over the cake batter and bake at 350 degrees for 45 to 55 minutes or until the middle comes clean with the toothpick method.
- Cool.
- Serve plain or choose a garnish (if desired) with whipped cream, sprinkle with mini chocolate chips, and top with a cherry or strawberry.
Notes
Tips:
- grease and flour your pan
- preheat the oven
- use any size pan for two rounds, 13 x 9, springform or make cupcakes with this recipe
- blot the fruit with paper towels
- use whole milk ricotta cheese
- any cake mix will work with this basic recipe
- Use a different fruit as suggested for food allergies
- Cake mixes with pudding in it work fine also
- Make a chocolate cake mix with the ricotta and chocolate you can omit the cherries and add chocolate whipped cream topping for a garnish
Topping Suggestions
- Dusted with powdered sugar
- Real sweetened whipped cream
- Whipped Non-Dairy Topping
- Drizzle with hot fudge sauce
- Ice cream
- If using all chocolate cake mix, add cocoa powder to the whipped cream for a chocolate whipped cream or hot fudge
Pin for later
Try Some Other Recipes and Easy Dessert That Wow Everyone!
Amaretto Cheesecake
Strawberry New York Cheesecake
Cake Mix Lemon Cheesecake Bars
Holiday Cannoli Mousse
