Neapolitan Layer Cake: A Classic Celebration of Flavors

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The Neapolitan Layer Cake is a beautiful, three-layer dessert that blends the rich flavors of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry into one stunning treat. Perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, or any special occasion, this cake’s vibrant layers and fluffy buttercream frosting are sure to impress. Whether you’re hosting a holiday gathering, a baby shower, or simply indulging in a nostalgic dessert, this cake offers a sweet and colorful way to celebrate.

Why Neapolitan Layer Cake is the Ultimate Dessert

What makes the Neapolitan Layer Cake truly special is its combination of classic flavors that everyone loves. This show-stopping cake is not only a feast for the eyes but also a delight for the taste buds. The chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry layers are perfectly balanced, and the buttercream frosting ties everything together in a smooth, creamy finish. Whether you’re a fan of rich chocolate desserts or light, fruity cakes, this recipe offers the best of both worlds in every bite.

Ingredients for Neapolitan Layer Cake

To create the perfect Neapolitan Layer Cake, you’ll need the following ingredients:

Unsalted butter: Adds moisture and richness to the cake layers.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps create a fluffy texture.
Large eggs: Provide structure and contribute to the cake’s rise.

Pure vanilla extract: Enhances the flavor of the cake.
All-purpose flour: The base of the cake batter, providing structure.
Baking powder and salt: Ensure the cake rises and the flavor is balanced.
Whole milk: Adds moisture to the cake batter.
Unsweetened cocoa powder: For the chocolate layer, delivering a deep cocoa flavor.

Strawberry jam or purée: Infuses the cake with a fruity strawberry flavor.
Red food coloring (optional): For that signature pink hue in the strawberry layer.
Strawberry extract (optional): Enhances the strawberry flavor.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens the buttercream frosting and helps achieve a smooth consistency.

Whole milk (or cream): To achieve the desired frosting consistency.
Vanilla extract and salt: For flavor in the buttercream frosting.

Substitutions for the Neapolitan Layer Cake

If you need to make adjustments, here are some helpful substitutions:

Strawberry layer: You can substitute raspberry jam for a different berry flavor.
Cocoa powder: Replace it with melted semi-sweet chocolate for a richer, fudgier chocolate layer.
All-purpose flour: Opt for cake flour if you want a softer, more delicate crumb.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Neapolitan Layer Cake

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper for easy removal.
In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat 3 sticks of soft butter with sugar until pale and fluffy, about 3–5 minutes on medium-high speed.
Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk. Start and end with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined to avoid overworking the batter.
Divide the batter into three bowls. Stir in cocoa powder mixed with milk for the chocolate layer, strawberry jam (and optional coloring) for the strawberry layer, and leave the third bowl plain for the vanilla layer.
Pour the batters into the prepared pans. Bake for 22–27 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Cool the cakes in the pans for 10 minutes, then remove and allow them to cool completely on wire racks.
For the frosting, beat the softened butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, milk, and a pinch of salt, beating until light and fluffy.
Once the cakes are completely cool, level them if necessary. Place the chocolate layer on a serving plate, spread frosting between the layers, and stack the vanilla and strawberry layers on top. Frost the entire cake with a generous layer of frosting.

Chill the cake briefly to set the frosting, and slice it for a beautifully neat finish.

Tips & Tricks for a Perfect Neapolitan Layer Cake

Room temperature ingredients: Ensure that your butter, eggs, and milk are at room temperature before starting. This helps the batter emulsify correctly and creates a smooth, even texture.
Even batter distribution: Weigh the batter to ensure each cake layer is the same thickness. This ensures even baking and a visually striking cake.

Cool cake layers completely: Always allow the cake layers to cool before frosting. If they’re warm, the frosting may melt or slide off.
Crumb coat: Apply a thin layer of frosting all over the cake, then chill for 15 minutes. This seals in the crumbs and makes the final coat of frosting smooth and clean.

Pairing Ideas and Variations for Neapolitan Layer Cake

The Neapolitan Layer Cake is a versatile dessert that pairs wonderfully with a variety of side dishes and beverages. Consider serving it with fresh strawberries, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or even a cup of freshly brewed coffee. For an extra touch of flair, top the cake with chocolate shavings or freeze-dried strawberries. You can also experiment with variations like a gluten-free Neapolitan cake by swapping regular flour for a gluten-free blend.

Seasonal and Health Notes for Neapolitan Layer Cake

This cake is perfect for any season, as the chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry flavors complement various holidays and celebrations. It’s particularly festive for spring and summer gatherings, with its bright colors and sweet flavors. You can make the cake ahead by preparing the layers and frosting, then refrigerating them until you’re ready to assemble and serve.

By following these steps and tips, you’ll create a stunning Neapolitan Layer Cake that’s perfect for any special occasion. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or simply want to treat yourself, this cake will undoubtedly be the highlight of the event!

Conclusion

The Neapolitan Layer Cake is not just a dessert—it’s a celebration in every bite. With its vibrant layers of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry, topped off with rich buttercream frosting, this cake is sure to be the star of any event. Whether you’re baking it for a birthday, an anniversary, or just because, it promises to bring joy, nostalgia, and a burst of flavor to your table. Following this easy-to-master recipe ensures that you’ll end up with a perfectly balanced, visually stunning cake that tastes as good as it looks. So gather your ingredients and create this showstopper today—your guests will thank you!

FAQ for Neapolitan Layer Cake

1. Can I make the Neapolitan Layer Cake ahead of time?

Yes, you can! Bake the cake layers in advance and store them tightly wrapped in plastic wrap at room temperature for up to two days. Alternatively, freeze them for up to two months. When you’re ready to serve, just frost and assemble the cake!

2. How do I prevent the layers from being uneven?

To ensure the cake layers are even, it’s essential to divide the batter equally. You can use a kitchen scale to measure the batter for each layer, ensuring that each one is consistent in size. Also, tap the pans gently before baking to release any air bubbles that could cause uneven baking.

3. Can I use other fruit jams for the strawberry layer?

Absolutely! You can swap the strawberry jam with raspberry, blueberry, or any other fruit jam you prefer. Just keep in mind that the flavor will change slightly depending on the fruit, but it will still add a delicious layer to the cake.

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Neapolitan Layer Cake

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Author: Anna
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Yield: 12 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

The Neapolitan Layer Cake is a delightful dessert featuring three vibrant layers—chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry—topped with a smooth buttercream frosting. Perfect for any celebration, this cake combines nostalgic flavors in a visually stunning presentation.

Ingredients

Scale

3 sticks unsalted butter (softened)
2¼ cups granulated sugar
6 large eggs
1 Tbsp pure vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 Tbsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
1 cup whole milk
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 Tbsp whole milk (for the chocolate layer)
2 Tbsp strawberry jam (or purée)
Red food coloring (optional)
½ tsp strawberry extract (optional)
5 cups powdered sugar
4 Tbsp whole milk (or cream)
Pinch of salt
2 tsp pure vanilla extract (for frosting)

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until pale and fluffy (about 3–5 minutes).
Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry mixture and milk in alternating batches, starting and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.

Divide the batter evenly into three bowls. Mix cocoa powder and 2 tablespoons of milk into one bowl for the chocolate layer. Add strawberry jam and optional coloring and extract into another bowl for the strawberry layer. Leave the third bowl plain for vanilla.
Pour each batter into the prepared pans. Bake for 22–27 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool in pans for 10 minutes, then remove and cool completely on wire racks.
For the frosting, beat softened butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, milk, and a pinch of salt, then beat until fluffy.

Level the cake layers if needed. Place the chocolate layer on a serving plate and spread frosting between the layers. Stack the vanilla and strawberry layers on top. Frost the entire cake with a thick layer of frosting.
Chill the cake briefly to firm up the frosting before slicing and serving.

Notes

Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature to help the batter emulsify properly.

Weighing the batter ensures uniform layers for a visually appealing Neapolitan effect.
Let the cake layers cool completely before frosting to avoid melting the frosting.
Apply a crumb coat before the final layer of frosting to ensure a smooth finish.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American