The Perfect Neapolitan Cake Recipe for Sweet Triple Flavor Bliss

Crafting a delectable neapolitan cake brings pure joy to any dessert enthusiast’s heart.

Layers of strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate dance together in harmonious sweetness.

Sweet memories cascade through each delightful slice, connecting generations of bakers.

Soft textures and vibrant colors make this classic treat irresistible.

Baking becomes an adventure when these three distinct flavors meld perfectly.

Chocolate lovers and fruit fans will absolutely adore this magnificent creation.

Let’s whip up something magical that sparks smiles and delights taste buds.

What Makes Neapolitan Cake a Classic Favorite

• Crafted with Colorful Layers: Delight in a stunning three-layer cake that brings visual excitement to any dessert table with its vibrant strawberry, classic vanilla, and rich chocolate tiers.
• Easy Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for gatherings where everyone has different flavor preferences, this cake ensures no one misses out on their favorite taste.
• Celebration-Ready Dessert: Ideal for birthdays, anniversaries, and special occasions that call for a show-stopping sweet treat that looks professionally made but feels homemade.
• Customizable Flavor Adventure: Allows bakers of all skill levels to mix and match flavors, creating a personalized dessert experience that sparks joy and conversation.

Neapolitan Cake Ingredient Guide

• Flour: A soft, fine powder that gives structure to the cake.
• Sugar: Sweet crystals that add sweetness and help with browning.
• Eggs: Binding agents that provide moisture and help cakes rise.
• Butter: Rich dairy product that adds flavor and tender texture.
• Baking Powder: Leavening agent that helps the cake become light and fluffy.

• Vanilla Extract: Classic flavoring that brings warmth and depth.
• Cocoa Powder: Rich, dark powder that creates deep chocolate flavor.
• Strawberry Puree or Jam: Bright, fruity component for the strawberry layer.

• Milk: Liquid that helps create smooth cake batter.
• Salt: Tiny crystals that balance and enhance overall flavor.
• Vegetable Oil: Lightweight oil that keeps cake moist and tender.

How to Make Neapolitan Cake from Scratch

Step 1: Preheat The Oven

Warm up your oven to 350°F and prepare three 9-inch round cake pans by greasing them and lining with parchment paper.

Step 2: Create Strawberry Layer

• All-purpose flour
• Sugar
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Unsalted butter
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract
• Milk
• Fresh strawberry puree
• Red food coloring (optional)

Whisk everything until smooth and pour into one prepared pan.

Step 3: Mix Vanilla Layer

• All-purpose flour
• Sugar
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Unsalted butter
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract
• Milk

Blend until well combined and transfer to second prepared pan.

Step 4: Prepare Chocolate Layer

• All-purpose flour
• Sugar
• Cocoa powder
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Unsalted butter
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract
• Milk

Mix ingredients thoroughly and pour into third prepared pan.

Step 5: Bake The Cake Layers

Place all three pans in the preheated oven.

Bake for 25-30 minutes, checking doneness with a toothpick that comes out clean.

Step 6: Cool Cake Layers

Remove pans from oven and let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes.

Then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

Step 7: Prepare Vanilla Buttercream

• Unsalted butter
• Powdered sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Heavy cream

Beat until fluffy and creamy.

Step 8: Assemble Neapolitan Cake

Stack cake layers starting with chocolate on bottom, then vanilla, topped with strawberry layer.

Spread buttercream between each layer and cover entire cake.

Step 9: Decorate Cake

Add final touches with extra frosting swirls or sprinkles if desired.

Chill cake for one hour before serving.

Tips for Baking a Perfect Neapolitan Cake

• Select ripe, vibrant strawberries for the most intense flavor in your cake layer, ensuring a natural sweetness and beautiful color.
• Always sift flour, cocoa powder, and other dry ingredients to prevent lumps and create a smoother, more consistent cake texture.
• Bring eggs, butter, and milk to room temperature before mixing to help ingredients blend more evenly and create a more tender cake.
• Use a serrated knife to carefully trim the tops of each cake layer to ensure even stacking and a professional-looking final presentation.
• Refrigerate the cake layers for 30 minutes before assembling to make frosting and stacking much easier and prevent crumbling.

Neapolitan Cake Storage Tips

• Store the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, keeping it fresh and moist.
• Wrap the cake with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent drying out and absorbing other food odors.
• Let the cake sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to soften the frosting and enhance flavors.
• Slice the cake, wrap individual pieces in plastic wrap, and freeze for up to 3 months for longer storage.

What Goes Well with Neapolitan Cake

• Pair with Prosecco: Crisp, bubbly Italian sparkling wine complements the cake's layers, cutting through the sweetness and enhancing the fruity strawberry notes.
• Match with Dark Roast Coffee: Rich, bold coffee brings out the deep chocolate layer's intensity while providing a warm contrast to the cake's light textures.
• Serve with Fresh Raspberry Sorbet: Tangy, refreshing sorbet cleanses the palate between bites, highlighting the cake's distinct flavors and adding a bright, fruity element.
• Select Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Smooth, creamy vanilla ice cream softens the cake's richness and creates a harmonious blend of temperatures and textures.

Neapolitan Cake Variants

• Gluten-Free Paradise: Swap wheat flour with almond or rice flour to create a celiac-friendly version that maintains the classic three-layer cake structure.
• Vegan Celebration: Replace eggs with flax eggs and use dairy-free milk and plant-based butter to craft an animal-product-free Neapolitan cake that's equally rich and creamy.
• Low-Sugar Option: Utilize stevia or monk fruit sweetener instead of traditional sugar, and incorporate Greek yogurt for moisture while reducing overall sugar content.
• Fruit-Infused Adaptation: Enhance strawberry layer with fresh raspberry puree or add passion fruit zest to create a more complex and vibrant flavor profile.

FAQs

• What are the key ingredients in a Neapolitan Cake?

The cake requires three distinct cake layers: strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate, each with its own unique flavor profile using ingredients like fresh strawberries, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, flour, sugar, eggs, and butter.

• Is Neapolitan Cake difficult to make at home?

While it looks impressive, the cake is relatively straightforward if you’re comfortable baking layered cakes. The main challenge is creating three separate cake batters and ensuring each layer is evenly baked.

• What frosting works best with Neapolitan Cake?

A classic vanilla buttercream or whipped cream frosting complements the cake layers perfectly, allowing each flavor to shine while providing a smooth, creamy texture between and around the layers.

• Can I make this cake for special occasions?

Absolutely! Neapolitan Cake is ideal for birthdays, anniversaries, and celebrations. Its visually striking layers and combination of flavors make it a crowd-pleaser that looks professionally made.

Neapolitan Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Rich layers of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry merge in this classic Neapolitan cake, creating a nostalgic dessert that delights taste buds. Creamy frosting and perfect texture invite you to savor each delectable slice of this timeless Italian-inspired treat.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups (414g) sugar
• 5 large eggs
• 3 cups (390g) all-purpose flour
• 10 tablespoons (140g) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons (270 milliliters) milk

Flavor and Extract Ingredients:

• 1 cup strawberry puree (from 2 cups [280g] chopped strawberries)
• 1 tablespoon + 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon strawberry extract
• 2.5 ounces (70 grams) bittersweet chocolate (60% cacao), chopped
• 2 tablespoons (14g) natural unsweetened cocoa powder

Additional Ingredients:

• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons (150 milliliters) vegetable oil
• 10 drops red food coloring

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to the specified temperature and thoroughly grease three identical-sized cake pans with butter or cooking spray.
2. Prepare the strawberry cake layer by whisking together dry ingredients, then gently fold in pureed fresh strawberries and mix until a smooth, vibrant pink batter forms.
3. Create the vanilla cake layer by carefully combining flour, sugar, and other dry components, then incorporate eggs, milk, and vanilla extract, stirring until the mixture achieves a silky, consistent texture.
4. Mix the chocolate cake layer ingredients, ensuring cocoa powder is evenly distributed throughout the batter, and blend until a rich, dark chocolate mixture develops without any lumps.
5. Pour each uniquely flavored batter into its designated pan, spreading evenly and tapping the pans to release potential air bubbles.
6. Bake the cake layers simultaneously, rotating midway through to ensure uniform cooking and golden-brown surfaces.
7. Remove layers from the oven and allow them to cool completely on wire racks, which prevents moisture accumulation and potential sogginess.
8. Prepare a smooth, creamy frosting by whipping butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until light and fluffy, creating a neutral base for layering.
9. Once cooled, carefully trim any uneven cake surfaces to create perfectly level layers.
10. Assemble the cake by placing the chocolate layer first, spreading a generous amount of frosting between each subsequent layer – strawberry in the middle, vanilla on top.
11. Cover the entire cake with remaining frosting, creating a clean, smooth exterior.
12. Optionally, decorate with chocolate shavings, fresh strawberry slices, or additional piped frosting for an elegant presentation.
13. Refrigerate the cake for at least one hour before serving to allow flavors to meld and frosting to set firmly.

Notes

• Customize cake layers by adjusting fruit puree quantities for intense or subtle flavor profiles.
• Ensure even cake layers by using a kitchen scale to measure batter precisely before baking.
• Refrigerate cake between frosting stages to create clean, sharp layer definitions and prevent crumbling.
• Select high-quality chocolate and pure vanilla extract for superior taste and professional-grade results.

• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 397
• Sugar: 27 g
• Sodium: 205 mg
• Fat: 21 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 92 mg