---------- Recipe via Meal-Master (tm) v8.05

     Title: California Ricotta Cake
Categories: Cakes, Chocolate
     Yield: 12 Servings

18 1/4 oz Pkg devil's food cake mix
    16 oz Container ricotta cheese
   1/3 c  Powdered sugar
   1/3 c  Heavy cream
     2 ts Vanilla extract
     2 ts Orange zest; grated
   1/3 c  Semisweet chocolate chips;
          -miniature size
   2/3 c  Roasted almonds; diced
     2 tb Orange-flavored liqeur

 Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Grease and flour two 9" round cake
 pans.  Prepare cake mix according to package directions. Turn
 batter into prepared pans.

 Bake according to package directions (30-35 minutes).

 Let cake cool in pans 15 minutes, then unmold and let cool
 completely on wire racks.

 In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, powdered sugar, cream,
 vanilla, and orange zest.  Beat with an electric mixer on medium
 speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Stir in chocolate
 chips and 1/3 cup almonds.

 Sprinkle 1 tb orange liqueur over top of each cake layer. Stack
 cake layers together with cheese filling in between and on top and
 sides. Sprinkle remaining 1/3 cup almonds around top edge of cake
 in a 1"-wide ring.  Refrigerate until serving time.

 Source: 365 Great Chocolate Desserts.

 Shared and MM by Judi M. Phelps (G.PHELPS1) GENIE, (JPHELPS) NVN

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