Name: Neapolitan Cake
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 1/2 sticks (170g) unsalted butter, softened; 2 cups (400g) sugar; 4 large eggs, room temperature; 3 cups (342g) cake flour; 2 teaspoons (8g) baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon (3g) baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon (3g) salt; 1 1/4 cups (296g) buttermilk; 1/4 cup (54g) vegetable oil; 2 teaspoons (8g) vanilla extract; 3 tablespoons (21g) unsweetened cocoa powder; 3 tablespoons (44g) very hot water; 1/4 cup strawberry reduction; Optional: 2 teaspoons Strawberry Jell-O powder or 3/4 teaspoon strawberry extract; 1 cup (240g) heavy cream; 1/4 cup (29g) powdered sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla; 3 sticks (339g) unsalted butter, softened; 7 cups (805g) confectioners sugar; 1/3 cup (72g) milk or cream; 1/2 teaspoon salt (optional); 2 teaspoons (8g) vanilla extract; Optional: pink coloring gel; 4 oz dark chocolate chips (or semi-sweet); 4 oz heavy cream (or whipping cream)

Neapolitan Cake

By:

Patricia

| Published on:

August 18, 2025

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Neapolitan Cake is a delightful three-layer dessert that combines the classic flavors of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. Its beautiful appearance and wonderful taste make it a crowd favorite for any occasion. This cake is not only stunning but also relatively easy to make, making it perfect for both beginner bakers and seasoned pros. The layers bring together the richness of chocolate, the lightness of vanilla, and the refreshing taste of strawberry in every bite. Each slice offers a delightful experience, appealing to both the eyes and the palate.

The cake has a moist texture complemented by creamy frosting. Topped with ganache and possibly a sprinkle of chocolate chips, it’s a treat that’s hard to resist. Whether you serve it at a birthday party, a family gathering, or simply as an indulgence at home, this cake is sure to impress. With its colorful layers and rich flavors, Neapolitan Cake is not just dessert; it’s a celebration on a plate.

Let’s dive into why you should make this lovely cake, how to create it step by step, and some extra tips to help you along the way.

Why make this recipe

Making Neapolitan Cake is a perfect way to showcase your baking skills and impress your friends and family. The combination of flavors appeals to many people, making it suitable for various occasions. Moreover, the cake is visually stunning, serving as a centerpiece on any dessert table. It can also be a fun family project where everyone can join in and help create the layers. This cake is more than just a treat; it’s a delightful experience that brings people together while satisfying sweet cravings.

How to make Neapolitan Cake

Ingredients

1 1/2 sticks (170g) unsalted butter, softened
2 cups (400g) sugar
4 large eggs, room temperature
3 cups (342g) cake flour
2 teaspoons (8g) baking powder
1/2 teaspoon (3g) baking soda
1/2 teaspoon (3g) salt
1 1/4 cups (296g) buttermilk
1/4 cup (54g) vegetable oil
2 teaspoons (8g) vanilla extract
3 tablespoons (21g) unsweetened cocoa powder
3 tablespoons (44g) very hot water
1/4 cup strawberry reduction
Optional: Strawberry flavor (two teaspoons Strawberry Jell-O powder or three-fourths teaspoon strawberry extract)
1 cup (240g) heavy cream
1/4 cup (29g) powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 sticks (339g) unsalted butter, softened
7 cups (805g) confectioners sugar
1/3 cup (72g) milk or cream
1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
2 teaspoons (8g) vanilla extract
Optional: pink coloring gel
4 oz dark chocolate chips (or semi-sweet)
4 oz heavy cream (or whipping cream)

Directions

For the Strawberry Reduction: Puree approximately 5-6 strawberries in a blender. Pour 1/2 cup of this puree into a small saucepan and simmer on low-medium heat for about 15 minutes until reduced to 1/4 cup. Stir frequently and let cool. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), then grease and flour three 8-inch round pans.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt for 30 seconds. Set aside. In another bowl, mix the buttermilk, oil, and vanilla.

In a mixer, blend the butter until smooth. Gradually add the sugar and mix until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Slowly alternate adding the flour mixture and the buttermilk mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients.

Divide the batter into three bowls. To one, add cocoa powder mixed with hot water for the chocolate batter. To another, add the strawberry reduction for the strawberry batter. Leave the third bowl as vanilla.

Pour each flavor of batter into the prepared pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let them cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans.

For the frosting, chill the mixing bowl and beaters. Whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until stiff peaks form. In another bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth. Gradually add half of the confectioners’ sugar and most of the milk. Mix well, then add the remaining sugar and milk. Beat until smooth.

For the ganache, melt chocolate with heavy cream in the microwave, stirring until smooth.

Layer the cakes starting with chocolate, followed by a buttercream dam, whipped cream filling, vanilla layer, then another dam, and finally strawberry. Crumb coat the cake, chill, and frost with the remaining buttercream. Decorate with ganache and chocolate chips if desired.

How to serve Neapolitan Cake

Slice the Neapolitan Cake into even pieces for serving. You can enjoy it plain or with a dollop of whipped cream on the side. It pairs wonderfully with fresh strawberries or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. For a festive touch, add sprinkles or additional ganache on top!

How to store Neapolitan Cake

Store Neapolitan Cake at room temperature or in the refrigerator if you live in a warm climate. Cover it with plastic wrap or keep it in an airtight container to maintain its moisture. It’s best eaten within a few days, but it can last about a week in the fridge.

Tips to make Neapolitan Cake

Consider using room temperature ingredients for better mixing. Take your eggs, buttermilk, and butter out in advance. Make sure not to over-mix your batter to keep the cake fluffy. Adjust the sweetness of your frosting by adding a bit of salt. If the frosting is too thick, you can thin it using more milk. Take your time while decorating to achieve a beautiful finish!

Variation

You can customize the flavors by using different extracts or purees, such as raspberry or lemon. You can also use a boxed cake mix if you prefer a quicker option. Swap out the chocolate for other options like lemon or coconut for a unique twist on this classic cake!

FAQs

Can I make this cake ahead of time?

Yes, you can bake the cake layers in advance and store them in the fridge for a few days or freeze them for longer storage.

Can I use fresh strawberries instead of strawberry reduction?

Yes, fresh strawberries can be used, but a reduction enhances the flavor and gives a concentrated taste.

How do I know when the cake is done?

Insert a toothpick in the center of the cake; if it comes out clean or with a few crumbs, it’s done.

Can I use different frosting?

Absolutely! You can use any frosting that you prefer, like cream cheese frosting or a chocolate ganache.

How can I make the cake more chocolatey?

You can add more cocoa powder to the chocolate layer or use dark chocolate frosting for additional richness.

Neapolitan Cake

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A delightful three-layer dessert combining chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry flavors, perfect for any occasion.

Author: sfd
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 60 minutes
Yield: 12 servings 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Instructions

For the Strawberry Reduction: Puree approximately 5-6 strawberries in a blender. Pour 1/2 cup of this puree into a small saucepan and simmer on low-medium heat for about 15 minutes until reduced to 1/4 cup. Stir frequently and let cool.
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), then grease and flour three 8-inch round pans.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt for 30 seconds. Set aside.
In another bowl, mix the buttermilk, oil, and vanilla.
In a mixer, blend the butter until smooth. Gradually add the sugar and mix until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
Slowly alternate adding the flour mixture and the buttermilk mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients.
Divide the batter into three bowls. To one, add cocoa powder mixed with hot water for the chocolate batter. To another, add the strawberry reduction for the strawberry batter. Leave the third bowl as vanilla.
Pour each flavor of batter into the prepared pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let them cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans.
For the frosting, chill the mixing bowl and beaters. Whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until stiff peaks form.
In another bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth. Gradually add half of the confectioners’ sugar and most of the milk. Mix well, then add the remaining sugar and milk. Beat until smooth.
For the ganache, melt chocolate with heavy cream in the microwave, stirring until smooth.
Layer the cakes starting with chocolate, followed by a buttercream dam, whipped cream filling, vanilla layer, then another dam, and finally strawberry.
Crumb coat the cake, chill, and frost with the remaining buttercream. Decorate with ganache and chocolate chips if desired.