Description
This beautiful and flavorful Neapolitan Cake combines three iconic flavors—chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry—into a stunning layered dessert. Perfect for celebrations or when you can’t choose just one flavor!
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Cake Layers:
- Chocolate Layer:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup milk
- Vanilla Layer:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup milk
- Strawberry Layer:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon strawberry extract
- 1/2 cup strawberry puree (fresh or frozen)
For the Frosting:
- 2 cups unsalted butter, softened
- 5 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3–4 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
- Pink food coloring (optional, for decoration)
Instructions
1. Preheat and Prepare Pans:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease and line three 8-inch round cake pans.
2. Make the Cake Layers:
- For each flavor (chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry), mix the dry ingredients in one bowl and cream together the butter and sugar in another.
- Add eggs and flavorings to the wet mixture, then alternate adding dry ingredients and milk (or strawberry puree for the strawberry layer). Mix until combined.
3. Bake the Layers:
- Pour each batter into its prepared pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
4. Make the Frosting:
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy.
- Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing on low speed.
- Add vanilla extract and heavy cream, and beat until smooth and fluffy. Adjust consistency with more cream if needed.
5. Assemble the Cake:
- Place the chocolate layer on a cake stand. Spread an even layer of frosting on top. Repeat with the vanilla and strawberry layers.
- Frost the entire cake with the remaining frosting.
6. Decorate:
- Use pink food coloring to tint some frosting for decorative piping, if desired.
- Chill the cake for 30 minutes to set before slicing.
Notes
- For a more vibrant strawberry layer, add a few drops of red food coloring.
- Use high-quality cocoa powder for the best chocolate flavor.