Ingredients:
- Nonstick cooking spray, for the baking pan
- 1 box strawberry cake mix (plus ingredients indicated on the box, such as eggs and vegetable oil)
- 32 oz. part-skim ricotta cheese
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 4 large eggs
- 16 ounces mascarpone
- One 3.4-ounce box instant strawberry creme pudding
- 1 cup milk
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with cooking spray.
- Prepare the cake according to the directions on the box and pour it into the prepared pan. Set aside.
- Combine the ricotta, sugar, vanilla, eggs and 4 ounces (1/2 cup) of the mascarpone in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat on medium speed until smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed.
- Gently scoop the filling onto the cake batter and cover it completely. Bake until a skewer inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean and the strawberry layer has risen to the top, 50 to 60 minutes. Cool completely on a rack.
- Combine the remaining 12 ounces mascarpone with the pudding mix and milk in a clean bowl in the stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat on low speed until incorporated. Increase the speed to medium and beat until smooth and creamy. Spread the frosting evenly over the cake. Serve.