Preparation time: 25 mts.
Cooking time: 1 &1/2 hrs
This is absolutely delicious! The ricotta cheese makes this so moist and creamy!
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 C). Grease and flour a 9 x 13-inch rectangular cake pan.
Prepare cake mix as directed on cake mix box for a 9 x 13-inch cake pan.
Pour batter into prepared pan and set aside. Do NOT bake yet.
With an electric mixer set on medium speed, blend ricotta cheese, eggs, sugar, and vanilla extract. Spoon ricotta mixture evenly over unbaked cake batter. Do NOT mix (see note).
Note: The cake rises above the ricotta cheese mixture.
Bake torta at 350 degrees F (180 C) for about 75 minutes if using a glass pan or about 90 minutes if using a metal pan. Insert toothpick in center of cake and if it comes out clean then it is done. Cool torta in pan on wire rack.
Frosting: Using an electric mixer set on medium speed, combine instant pudding mix, confectioners' sugar, and milk; add whipped topping and beat at a low speed until creamy. Spread frosting over cooled cake. Decorate top of cake, if desired. (i.e., cherries, rose petals)