Whip Up a Dreamy Neapolitan Cake Recipe for Sweet Delight

Sweet layers of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry dance together in this irresistible neapolitan cake recipe that promises pure dessert bliss.

Bakers adore this classic Italian-inspired treat for its nostalgic charm and stunning visual appeal.

The vibrant colors create a mouthwatering masterpiece that catches everyone’s eye at gatherings.

Each slice reveals perfectly balanced flavors, blending rich chocolate with delicate vanilla and bright strawberry notes.

Creamy frosting and tender cake layers make this dessert a showstopper for any celebration.

Prepare to indulge in a slice of pure culinary magic that will transport you to dessert heaven.

You won’t be able to resist the temptation of this delectable neapolitan cake.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 12

Ingredients You Need For Neapolitan Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and softness to the cake layers.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create a tender cake texture.
• Baking Powder: Ensures light and fluffy cake layers with perfect rise.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor profile.

• Unsalted Butter: Creates rich, moist cake texture and adds depth of flavor.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients and provide structure to the cake layers.
• Whole Milk: Adds moisture and helps create a smooth cake batter.
• Vanilla Extract: Brings warm, classic flavor to vanilla and frosting layers.

• Cocoa Powder: Delivers deep, rich chocolate flavor for chocolate layer.
• Strawberry Puree: Infuses authentic strawberry taste and natural color.
• Food Coloring: Optional touch for creating vibrant strawberry layer color.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, spreadable frosting with perfect sweetness.
• Heavy Cream: Provides creamy consistency and helps adjust frosting texture.

• Pink Food Coloring: Optional accent for creating decorative piping details.

Baking Tools For Neapolitan Cake Prep

• Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer: Essential for creaming butter, beating frosting, and mixing cake batters smoothly.
• Three 8-inch Round Cake Pans: Crucial for creating distinct layers in the Neapolitan cake.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise measurements ensure perfect cake texture and flavor.
• Whisk: Great for combining dry ingredients and creating smooth cake batters.
• Wire Cooling Rack: Helps cakes cool evenly and prevents soggy bottoms.
• Spatula: Perfect for spreading frosting and scraping bowl contents.
• Toothpicks: Helps check cake doneness by testing for clean insertion.
• Cake Stand: Provides elegant presentation and easy frosting surface.
• Piping Bag (optional): Useful for decorative frosting details.

How To Bake Neapolitan Cake Step By Step

• Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350F, creating the perfect baking environment for your delightful treat.

• Prepare Cake Pans

Lovingly coat three round pans with grease and line them with parchment, ensuring your layers will slide out effortlessly.

• Create Cake Batters

Whip up separate batters for chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry layers. Mix dry ingredients in one bowl, cream butter and sugar in another. Gently fold in eggs and unique flavor additions, alternating between dry ingredients and liquid to create smooth, velvety mixtures.

• Bake with Care

Pour each vibrant batter into its designated pan. Slide into the heated oven and bake until a toothpick emerges clean, typically 20-25 minutes.

• Cool Down Layers

Let cakes rest in pans for a brief moment, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.

• Whip Up Frosting

Beat softened butter until creamy and cloud-like. Gradually incorporate powdered sugar, vanilla, and cream, creating a silky smooth frosting that’ll make taste buds dance.

• Stack and Decorate

Carefully layer cakes – chocolate first, then vanilla, topped with strawberry. Generously spread frosting between each layer and cover the entire cake.

• Final Touches

For extra flair, tint some frosting pink and pipe delicate designs. Chill the cake to set the masterpiece before serving.

Tips To Make Your Neapolitan Cake Stand Out

• Flavor Swap Magic: Experiment with different extract combinations like almond in vanilla or orange in strawberry for unique flavor profiles.
• Make-Ahead Masterstroke: Bake cake layers up to two days ahead and store wrapped in plastic at room temperature to save time on party day.
• Dairy-Free Delight: Substitute butter with coconut oil and milk with almond milk for a lactose-friendly version that doesn't compromise on taste.
• Texture Perfection Trick: Ensure room temperature ingredients blend more smoothly, creating a lighter, more even cake texture that melts in your mouth.
• Gluten-Free Option: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend, adding xanthan gum to help maintain the cake's structure and prevent crumbling.

Serving Suggestions For Colorful Neapolitan Cake

• Party Slice Surprise: Serve each slice with a small scoop of matching flavor ice cream, creating a delightful flavor echo and extra creamy experience.
• Fruity Fresh Garnish: Top the cake with fresh strawberry slices, whole raspberries, or edible flowers to add brightness and visual appeal to the beautiful layered cake.
• Tea Time Companion: Pair this colorful dessert with a light chamomile or Earl Grey tea, which complements the sweet cake's rich layers and enhances the overall tasting experience.
• Celebration Centerpiece: Display the cake on an elegant cake stand with a doily underneath, making it a stunning focal point for birthdays, bridal showers, or special family gatherings.

How To Store Neapolitan Cake And Keep It Moist

• Smart Storage Solutions: Refrigerate cake in an airtight container for up to 5 days, ensuring freshness and flavor preservation.
• Freezing Fantastic: Wrap individual cake layers tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for 2-3 months, perfect for make-ahead dessert planning.
• Room Temperature Tips: Keep cake at cool room temperature for 1-2 days if serving soon, covering loosely with a cake dome or plastic wrap to prevent drying.
• Slice and Serve Strategy: Cut cake slices with a clean, warm knife for smooth edges. Store separated slices in sealed containers to maintain moisture and prevent flavor mixing.

Dreamy Neapolitan Cake Recipe

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4.8 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Luxurious neapolitan cake layers stack classic strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate flavors into a nostalgic dessert. Elegant slices showcase colorful stripes that celebrate Italian-American bakery traditions with sweet precision.

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Ingredients

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• 2 cups unsalted butter, softened (frosting)
• 5 cups powdered sugar (frosting)
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (chocolate layer)
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (vanilla layer)
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (strawberry layer)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour (chocolate layer)
• ¾ cup granulated sugar (chocolate layer)
• ¾ cup granulated sugar (vanilla layer)
• ¾ cup granulated sugar (strawberry layer)
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened (chocolate layer)
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened (vanilla layer)
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened (strawberry layer)
• ½ cup cocoa powder (chocolate layer)
• 2 large eggs (chocolate layer)
• 2 large eggs (vanilla layer)
• 2 large eggs (strawberry layer)
• ½ cup milk (chocolate layer)
• ½ cup milk (vanilla layer)
• ½ cup strawberry puree (strawberry layer)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (chocolate and vanilla layers)
• 1 tsp strawberry extract (strawberry layer)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (frosting)
• 34 tbsps heavy cream or milk (frosting)
• 1 baking powder (leavening agent)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Calibrate oven to 350°F (175°C) and outfit three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper and light grease coating.
2. Batter Construction: Craft individual flavor batters by merging dry ingredients, then cream butter and sugar in separate mixing vessels, incorporating eggs and distinctive flavor extracts for chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry layers.
3. Mixing Technique: Delicately fold dry ingredients and liquid components into each batter, ensuring smooth, uniform consistency without overmixing, then distribute evenly across prepared pans.
4. Baking Process: Position pans in preheated oven, bake for 20-25 minutes until toothpick emerges cleanly from cake centers, then allow layers to rest momentarily in pans before transferring to cooling racks.
5. Frosting Preparation: Whip softened butter until ethereally creamy, gradually integrating powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and heavy cream to achieve silky, spreadable buttercream consistency.
6. Cake Assembly: Strategically layer cake beginning with chocolate base, spreading frosting between each tier, then enrobe entire confection with remaining buttercream, creating seamless exterior.
7. Finishing Touches: Optionally tint a frosting portion pink for decorative piping, then refrigerate 30 minutes to stabilize structure and harmonize flavor profiles.

Notes

• Optimize Cake Texture: Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature to guarantee smoother batter and more even cake layers.
• Prevent Flavor Bleeding: Use parchment paper between layers and chill cakes before frosting to maintain distinct flavor boundaries and prevent color mixing.
• Master Even Baking: Rotate cake pans halfway through baking to compensate for potential oven hot spots and achieve uniform golden-brown coloration.
• Buttercream Brilliance: Sift powdered sugar before adding to butter to eliminate lumps and create ultra-smooth, silky frosting with professional-quality texture.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 53 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 60 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg