Neapolitan Cake Recipe
This delightful Neapolitan Cake features three distinct layers—rich chocolate, fresh strawberry, and classic vanilla—each baked separately and then stacked with a luscious cream cheese frosting. Perfect for celebrations or any occasion where you want a trio of flavors in one elegant dessert.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Batter
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 4 large eggs (room temperature)
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup melted chocolate (for chocolate layer)
- 1/2 cup pureed strawberries (for strawberry layer)
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 1 cup softened butter
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease three round cake pans or line them with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the cakes.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt until uniformly combined.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, whole milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Slowly incorporate this wet mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring gently to avoid overmixing which can make the cake dense.
- Divide and Flavor Batter: Divide the batter evenly into three separate bowls. To one portion, fold in the melted chocolate thoroughly to create the chocolate layer. To the second portion, carefully mix in the pureed strawberries for the strawberry layer. Leave the final portion as the vanilla layer.
- Bake the Layers: Pour each flavored batter into its prepared cake pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Once baked, allow the cakes to cool completely in the pans before removing them.
- Prepare Frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter and cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar while continuing to beat until the frosting is fluffy and spreadable.
- Assemble the Cake: Place the vanilla cake layer on your serving plate. Spread a generous layer of cream cheese frosting on top. Repeat with the strawberry layer and additional frosting, then top with the chocolate layer. Cover the entire cake with the remaining frosting, smoothing it out for an even finish.
Notes
- Ensure eggs are at room temperature for a smoother batter.
- Puree fresh or thawed strawberries without added sugar for the best strawberry layer flavor.
- Do not overmix the batter to maintain a tender crumb.
- Allow the cakes to cool completely before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- Refrigerate the cake for at least an hour before serving to let the flavors meld.
Keywords: Neapolitan Cake, chocolate cake, strawberry cake, vanilla cake, cream cheese frosting, layered cake, dessert
Find it online: https://dinewithdylan.com/neapolitan-cake-recipe/
