• 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter softened
• 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon fresh orange zest
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cup milk
• Frosting: (see notes below)
• 1 tub (10 ounces) ricotta cheese drained overnight if
  needed, (see note below)
• 1 tub (16 ounces) mascarpone cheese drained if needed
• 3 cups powdered sugar (possibly more if needed to thicken
  frosting)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon fresh orange juice
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 bag (10 ounces) mini chocolate chips divided (if you want
  a lot of chocolate chips on the outside, you may want to have another bag on
  hand)

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Butter and flour 2 9-inch
   round baking pans (or can substitute 8-inch round baking pans).
2. Mix together flour, baking powder, and salt in medium mixing
   bowl until well combined.
3. Beat together butter and granulated sugar in large mixing
   bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Beat in
   eggs one at a time. Then beat in fresh orange zest and 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
   extract until well combined.
4. Alternate adding the dry ingredients and milk into the
   butter and sugar mixture, beating after each addition until just combined.
5. Pour cake batter into prepared pans, spread to form even
   layers. Bake for about 20-25 minutes or until toothpick inserted into middle
   comes out clean. (If using 8 inch pans, baking time will be about 30-35
   minutes.)
6. Cool cakes slightly then remove from pans and finish cooling
   completely on wire racks. When cakes are completely cool, split each layer in
   half horizontally with a long serrated knife to form 4 layers.
7. For frosting, beat together ricotta and mascarpone in a
   large mixing bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until well combined.
   Beat in powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, orange juice, cinnamon, and salt
   until well combined.
8. To assemble cake, place one layer on cake dish. Top with
   frosting then sprinkle about 2-3 tablespoons of mini chocolate chips on top.
   Repeat with remaining layers. Frost outside of cake and add remaining chocolate
   chips to outside of cake or as desired. Use remaining frosting to decorate or
   pipe as desired.

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