Dreamy Neapolitan Cake Recipe: Tri-Colored Sweetness!

Sweet layers of childhood nostalgia dance through this creamy neapolitan cake recipe, blending strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate into a delightful dessert.

Soft, velvety textures meld together in perfect harmony, creating a stunning visual and taste experience.

Each slice promises a journey through classic flavors that spark joy and memories.

The delicate balance of colors makes this cake a showstopper at any gathering.

Rich chocolate, smooth vanilla, and bright strawberry create a symphony of taste in every single bite.

Chocolate lovers and dessert enthusiasts will adore this elegant and playful cake that transforms simple ingredients into a spectacular treat.

Dive into this delectable recipe and treat yourself to a slice of pure happiness.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 11

Ingredients List For Neapolitan Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides sturdy structure and smooth texture for the cake layers.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a light, tender crumb.
• Unsalted Butter: Brings rich flavor and helps create a moist, tender cake.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and add moisture and richness.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, aromatic notes.
• Baking Powder: Creates gentle lift and ensures a soft, fluffy texture.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies other flavors in the cake.

• Strawberry Puree: Delivers vibrant, fruity flavor and natural pink color.
• Cocoa Powder: Provides deep, intense chocolate taste for the brown layer.
• Chocolate: Adds rich, smooth chocolate essence to the dark layer.
• Vanilla Bean Paste: Intensifies vanilla flavor with specks of real vanilla.

• Heavy Cream: Creates smooth, luxurious buttercream with silky texture.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes frosting for perfect consistency.
• Cream Cheese: Adds tangy richness and helps frosting hold its shape.
• Strawberries: Offers fresh garnish and matching flavor to cake layers.

Tools To Bake Neapolitan Cake

• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining cake ingredients smoothly.
• Electric mixer: Essential for beating butter, sugar, and creating fluffy batter.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise measurements guarantee cake success.
• Rubber spatula: Helps scrape batter from sides of bowl and fold ingredients gently.
• 8-inch round cake pans (3): Specific size for creating even Neapolitan cake layers.
• Parchment paper: Ensures easy cake removal and prevents sticking.
• Wire cooling rack: Allows cake layers to cool evenly and prevent soggy bottoms.
• Offset spatula: Great for spreading and smoothing frosting between layers.

How To Make Neapolitan Cake Step By Step

• Oven Preparation

Set the oven to a warm and toasty temperature, creating the perfect baking environment for your delightful cake creation.

• Pan Readiness

Prepare your baking vessels by lightly coating them with a thin layer of butter and lining the bottom with delicate parchment paper. This ensures your cake layers will slide out smoothly and beautifully.

• Chocolate Layer Foundation

Blend rich cocoa powder into your cake mixture, creating a deep, velvety chocolate base that promises intense flavor and a luxurious texture. Carefully pour the batter into one of your prepared pans.

• Vanilla Dream

Craft a smooth, classic vanilla layer by incorporating pure vanilla extract into your cake batter. The aroma will fill your kitchen with warmth and anticipation. Gently spread this pale, creamy mixture into another prepared pan.

• Strawberry Sensation

Transform your final layer with vibrant strawberry essence, adding a pop of color and fruity brightness. Mix in strawberry puree or extract to create a blush-pink batter that hints at the delicious flavor to come.

• Baking Magic

Slide your three distinct layers into the preheated oven, allowing them to bake until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Each layer will develop its own unique character and depth of flavor.

• Cooling and Assembly

Let the layers cool completely before carefully stacking them. Begin with the chocolate base, then the vanilla layer, and crown with the strawberry layer. Each tier tells a delicious story of flavor and texture.

• Frosting Finale

Enrobe your cake in a smooth, creamy frosting that complements the three distinct layers. Consider a light vanilla buttercream or a delicate whipped cream to tie the flavors together beautifully.

Baking Tips For Neapolitan Cake

• Flavor Fusion Tricks: Mix in a teaspoon of almond extract with the vanilla for a deeper, more complex flavor profile that elevates the classic Neapolitan taste.
• Texture Perfection Hack: Let ingredients like eggs and butter sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before mixing to ensure a smoother, more even cake batter that bakes beautifully.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Swap regular milk with almond milk or coconut milk, and use vegan butter or coconut oil to create a delightful plant-based version that's just as creamy and delicious.
• Decorative Twist: Create stunning visual layers by using a piping bag to carefully separate strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate batters, ensuring crisp color divisions that look as good as they taste.
• Make-Ahead Magic: This cake can be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, allowing you to prepare it in advance for stress-free entertaining and maximum flavor development.

Fun Ways To Serve Neapolitan Cake

• Strawberry Swirl: Top each slice with fresh strawberry compote or swirl homemade strawberry sauce for an extra burst of fruity flavor that complements the classic Neapolitan layers.
• Chocolate Drizzle Delight: Enhance the chocolate layer by drizzling warm chocolate ganache over the cake, creating a luxurious and indulgent finishing touch that chocolate lovers will adore.
• Ice Cream Pairing: Serve alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream to echo the cake's nostalgic Neapolitan ice cream inspiration, creating a playful and delightful dessert experience that brings back childhood memories.
• Elegant Garnish: Decorate with chocolate shavings, fresh berries, or edible flowers to elevate the cake's presentation and add a sophisticated touch to this classic dessert.

Storage Plan For Neapolitan Cake

• Smart Batch Prepping: Bake all three cake layers simultaneously to save time and energy, ensuring consistent texture and uniform cooling across strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate sections.
• Fridge-Friendly Storage: Keep the decorated cake sealed in an airtight container for up to 4 days, maintaining moisture and preventing flavor absorption from other foods.
• Slice and Freeze Strategy: Cut individual cake portions, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then store in freezer-safe containers for convenient grab-and-go dessert moments lasting 2-3 months.
• Temperature-Perfect Serving: Remove cake from refrigerator 30-45 minutes before serving, allowing flavors to soften and develop, creating a more delectable taste experience at room temperature.

Elegant Neapolitan Cake Recipe

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4.8 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 11 1x

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Description

Layered Neapolitan cake blends strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate flavors into a delightful dessert. Sweet combinations highlight classic Italian pastry techniques with colorful cake tiers that promise delicious memories.

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Ingredients

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• 2 large eggs (for each layer)
• 1.5 cups (360 ml) all-purpose flour (for each layer)
• 0.75 cups (180 ml) granulated sugar (for each layer)
• 0.5 cups (120 ml) unsalted butter, softened (for each layer)
• 0.5 cups (120 ml) milk (for chocolate and vanilla layers)
• 0.5 cups (120 ml) cocoa powder (chocolate layer)
• 0.5 cups (120 ml) strawberry puree (for strawberry layer)
• 1 tsp (5 ml) baking powder (for each layer)
• 0.5 tsp (2.5 ml) baking soda (for each layer)
• 0.25 tsp (1.25 ml) salt (for each layer)
• 1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract (vanilla layer)
• 1 tsp (5 ml) strawberry extract (strawberry layer)
• 2 cups (480 ml) unsalted butter, softened
• 5 cups (1200 ml) powdered sugar
• 1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract
• 0.75 tbsps (11.25 ml) heavy cream or milk
• Pink food coloring (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Position oven rack centrally and preheat to 350F (175C), ensuring optimal baking environment.
2. Pan Setup: Generously grease three 8-inch round cake pans and line bottoms with parchment paper for effortless cake removal.
3. Dry Ingredient Blend: Thoroughly combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl, eliminating potential lumps for a uniform texture.
4. Butter Mixture: Vigorously cream butter and sugar until the mixture transforms into a light, airy, pale yellow consistency.
5. Egg Integration: Methodically add eggs to the butter mixture, blending completely after each incorporation to maintain batter integrity.
6. Batter Formation: Delicately fold dry ingredients into wet components, creating a silky, homogeneous cake base.
7. Flavor Differentiation: Partition the base batter into three distinct sections – vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry – each receiving unique flavor treatments.
8. Layer Development: Transform each batter portion – incorporate cocoa powder for chocolate, strawberry puree for pink layer, and leave vanilla base pristine white.
9. Pan Distribution: Carefully dispense flavored batters into prepared pans, smoothing surfaces for even baking and professional appearance.
10. Baking Process: Place pans in preheated oven, rotating midway through 25-30 minute cooking time to ensure consistent golden-brown coloration.
11. Doneness Verification: Confirm cake readiness by inserting a toothpick – it should emerge clean with minimal crumb attachment.
12. Cooling Protocol: Allow cakes to rest in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks for complete cooling before potential leveling and final assembly.

Notes

• Measure Ingredients Precisely: Use exact measurements for consistent texture and flavor, especially in cake baking where proportions dramatically impact results.
• Monitor Oven Temperature: Accurate 350F is crucial; use an oven thermometer to verify actual internal temperature for perfect cake layers.
• Prevent Color Bleeding: When mixing strawberry and chocolate batters, clean mixing tools between colors to maintain distinct, vibrant layer appearances.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure butter, eggs, and dairy are at room temperature for smoother batter integration and better cake structure.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 11
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 50 g
• Sodium: 220 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 55 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg