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Neapolitan Cake

A delightful multi-layered cake featuring rich chocolate, luscious strawberry, and smooth vanilla flavors, perfect for any celebration.
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Course: Cake, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Chocolate Cake, Layer Cake, Neapolitan Cake, Strawberry Cake, vanilla cake
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 400kcal

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour Providing structure and stability for your cake layers.
  • 2 ½ tsp baking powder Ensuring that your cake rises beautifully and has a soft crumb.
  • ½ tsp salt Enhancing the sweetness of the cake.

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened For a rich, buttery flavor and moist texture.
  • 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar Balancing sweetness and texture.
  • 4 large eggs Adding richness and helping bind the ingredients.
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract For that quintessential cake flavor.
  • 1 cup whole milk Incorporating moisture and richness.
  • ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder Essential for that chocolate layer.
  • 2 tbsp milk To mix with cocoa powder and create the chocolate spread.
  • ¼ cup strawberry puree or jam For a fruity twist.
  • 2-3 drops red food coloring (optional) To enhance the vibrant look of the strawberry layer.

Frosting Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened For a fluffy buttercream frosting.
  • 4 cups powdered sugar Sweetening the frosting to perfection.
  • 2-3 tbsp heavy cream For achieving the desired consistency of the frosting.
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract For added flavor in the frosting.

Instructions

Preparation

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.

Mixing

  • In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 3-4 minutes).
  • One at a time, add the eggs and vanilla extract, beating well after each addition.
  • Gradually alternate adding the flour mixture and whole milk to the wet ingredients, starting and ending with dry ingredients until just combined.

Layer Preparation

  • Divide the batter into three bowls: keep one plain vanilla, mix cocoa powder and milk for the chocolate layer, and stir strawberry puree with food coloring for the strawberry layer.
  • Pour the batters into prepared cake pans and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Assembly

  • Once cooled, place the chocolate layer on a serving platter, spread a layer of buttercream frosting on top, add the vanilla layer with another layer of frosting, and finally the strawberry layer.
  • Frost the outer sides of the cake with remaining buttercream frosting and smooth the edges.
  • Optionally, embellish with fresh strawberries on top.

Notes

Use high-quality cocoa powder for better flavor, fresh strawberries for puree, and you can experiment with the layers. Adding sprinkles or edible glitter can enhance the cake's festive look.