Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Neapolitan Cake is a celebration of three classic flavors coming together in one beautiful, nostalgic dessert. Chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla layers are stacked into a single cake that is as visually striking as it is delicious. I love this recipe because it feels playful yet timeless, making it perfect for birthdays, holidays, or any occasion where you want a cake that stands out. Each layer has its own personality: rich chocolate, fruity strawberry, and smooth vanilla, yet they balance each other perfectly when sliced and served together. This cake is ideal for pleasing a crowd with different flavor preferences, since there is something for everyone in every slice. While it looks impressive, the process is straightforward when broken down step by step, and the final result is well worth the effort.
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Neapolitan Cake (Chocolate – Strawberry – Vanilla)
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 12 slices
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A classic Neapolitan Cake featuring three distinct layers of chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla cake, stacked together for a beautiful and flavorful dessert.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup strawberry puree
- Pink food coloring (optional)
- 2 cups whipped vanilla frosting or buttercream
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease three 8-inch round cake pans.
- In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla.
- Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk until batter is smooth.
- Divide batter evenly into three bowls.
- Mix cocoa powder into one bowl for chocolate layer.
- Stir strawberry puree (and food coloring if using) into second bowl.
- Leave third bowl plain for vanilla layer.
- Pour batters into prepared pans and bake 22–25 minutes.
- Cool completely, then stack layers with frosting between each.
Notes
- Use parchment paper for easy cake removal.
- Chill cake before slicing for cleaner layers.
- Fresh strawberries can be added between layers.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
All-purpose flour provides structure while keeping the cake tender.
Granulated sugar sweetens each layer evenly.
Baking powder helps the cake rise and creates a soft crumb.
Salt balances sweetness and enhances flavor.
Eggs add structure, moisture, and richness.
Milk adds moisture and helps blend the batter smoothly.
Vegetable oil keeps the cake layers moist.
Vanilla extract flavors the vanilla layer and enhances the others.
Unsweetened cocoa powder creates the chocolate layer with deep flavor.
Strawberry puree or strawberry extract forms the fruity strawberry layer.
Pink food coloring is optional for enhancing the strawberry layer’s color.
Butter forms the base of the frosting, adding richness and smoothness.
Powdered sugar sweetens and thickens the frosting.
Heavy cream helps achieve a light, spreadable frosting consistency.
Additional vanilla extract flavors the frosting.
Directions
Preheat the oven and grease three round cake pans, lining the bottoms with parchment paper. Prepare one base cake batter by mixing the dry ingredients in one bowl and the wet ingredients in another, then combining until smooth.
Divide the batter evenly into three bowls. Leave one bowl plain for the vanilla layer. In the second bowl, mix in cocoa powder to create the chocolate batter. In the third bowl, mix in strawberry puree or extract and food coloring if using.
Pour each batter into its prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool completely before assembling.
To make the frosting, beat the butter until creamy, then gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Mix in heavy cream until the frosting is smooth and fluffy.
Assemble the cake by stacking the chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla layers with frosting in between. Frost the outside of the cake evenly and smooth or decorate as desired. Chill briefly before slicing for clean layers.
Equipment needed
Must-Have Tools to Get Rolling
Here’s what you’ll want to have on hand:
Silicone Spatula – Durable, heat-resistant silicone spatula perfect for mixing, scraping, and spreading. Gentle on non-stick cookware and easy to clean.
Large pot – You’ll need this to boil the whole cabbage head and soften the leaves.
large bowl –Spacious, durable large bowl ideal for mixing, serving, or food preparation. Made from sturdy material and easy to clean.
Sharp knife – For coring the cabbage and slicing out the thick stem in each leaf. A paring knife works best.
Mixing bowl – A big bowl makes it easier to combine your meat and rice filling evenly.
Cutting board – For prepping cabbage leaves and rolling them like a pro.
9×13-inch baking dish – Ideal size to fit your rolled cabbage leaves snugly and prevent them from unraveling.
knife – A sharp, durable kitchen knife perfect for slicing, chopping, and dicing with ease.
Servings and timing
This cake serves 12 people. Preparation time is approximately 30 minutes, baking time is about 30 minutes, and cooling and assembly take about 1 hour.
Storage/reheating
Store Neapolitan Cake covered in the refrigerator for up to four days. Bring to room temperature before serving for the best texture and flavor. Reheating is not recommended.
Variations and Customizations
Neapolitan Cake is easy to adapt. For a more intense strawberry flavor, use freeze-dried strawberry powder in place of puree. You can also swap vanilla buttercream for chocolate or strawberry frosting between layers for added contrast.
I tested this recipe with cream cheese frosting instead of buttercream, and it added a pleasant tang that balanced the sweetness nicely. You can also turn this recipe into cupcakes by dividing the batters into cupcake liners and adjusting baking time.
For a lighter version, use whipped frosting or reduce the frosting between layers. These variations keep the cake flexible while preserving its signature three-flavor appeal.
Nutrition and Dietary Info
| Nutrient | Per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 460 |
| Protein (g) | 6 |
| Carbs (g) | 58 |
| Fat (g) | 24 |
| Saturated Fat (g) | 10 |
| Fiber (g) | 2 |
| Sugar (g) | 42 |
| Sodium (mg) | 320 |
Expert Tips & Customizations
Even layers
Weigh batter portions to ensure uniform cake layers.
Cool completely
Warm cakes can cause frosting to melt and slide.
Chill before slicing
Chilling helps achieve clean, defined layers.
Use quality cocoa
Good cocoa powder improves chocolate flavor.
FAQs
Can I bake all layers at once?
Yes, if your oven has even heat and space for all pans.
Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Yes, it can be baked and assembled a day in advance.
What frosting works best?
Vanilla buttercream is classic, but cream cheese frosting also works well.
Can I use boxed cake mix?
Yes, divide a vanilla base mix and flavor it for convenience.
Does this cake freeze well?
Yes, freeze unfrosted layers for up to two months.
How do I keep the layers from sliding?
Chill the cake briefly between frosting steps.
Conclusion
Neapolitan Cake is a charming, crowd-pleasing dessert that brings together chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla in one elegant presentation. With its classic flavors, beautiful layers, and festive appeal, it is a perfect choice for celebrations and special occasions when you want a cake that looks as good as it tastes.
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