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Neapolitan Cake Recipe: Easy 3-Layer Dessert for Special Occasions

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This Neapolitan cake features three colorful layers—chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla—tied together with silky vanilla buttercream. It’s a nostalgic, crowd-pleasing dessert that’s surprisingly easy to make and perfect for birthdays, parties, or any special occasion.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 1/2 cups (315g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 1/2 cups (300g) granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (240ml) whole milk, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup (120g) sour cream, room temperature
  • 1/4 cup (25g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) milk (for chocolate layer)
  • 1/2 cup (7g) freeze-dried strawberries, ground into powder
  • 2–3 drops pink or red gel food coloring (optional)
  • 1 1/2 cups (340g) unsalted butter, room temperature (for buttercream)
  • 5 cups (600g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (for buttercream)
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) milk or heavy cream (for buttercream)
  • Pinch of salt (for buttercream)
  • Chocolate shavings or mini chips (optional garnish)
  • Fresh strawberries, sliced (optional garnish)
  • Sprinkles (optional garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease three 8-inch cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment rounds. Lightly dust with flour, tapping out the excess.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract.
  5. In a measuring cup, whisk together milk and sour cream.
  6. With the mixer on low, add the dry ingredients in three additions, alternating with the milk/sour cream mixture. Begin and end with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
  7. Evenly divide the batter into three bowls (about 2 cups per bowl).
  8. For the chocolate layer: Stir cocoa powder and 2 tablespoons milk into one bowl until smooth.
  9. For the strawberry layer: Stir in freeze-dried strawberry powder and a few drops of pink/red gel coloring (if using) into the second bowl. Mix until color is even.
  10. Leave the third bowl as-is for the vanilla layer.
  11. Pour each batter into its prepared pan. Smooth the tops with a spatula.
  12. Bake for 22–26 minutes, rotating pans halfway through. Cakes are done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  13. Let cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Run a knife around the edge, then carefully invert onto wire racks. Peel off parchment and let cool completely (at least 1 hour).
  14. For the buttercream: In a stand mixer, beat butter until creamy, about 2 minutes. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Slowly beat in milk or cream, a tablespoon at a time, until fluffy but spreadable.
  15. To assemble: Place the chocolate layer on a serving plate. Top with 3/4 cup buttercream, spreading evenly. Add the strawberry layer, repeat with buttercream, then finish with the vanilla layer.
  16. Spread a thin coat (crumb coat) over the entire cake and chill for 20 minutes.
  17. Use the remaining buttercream to frost the cake smoothly. Decorate with chocolate shavings, fresh strawberries, or sprinkles as desired.

Notes

For best results, use room temperature ingredients. Weigh your batter for even layers. If cakes dome, trim tops with a serrated knife. The cake layers can be made ahead and frozen. For gluten-free or dairy-free adaptations, see ingredient notes. The cake is best served slightly chilled and can be decorated with your favorite garnishes.

Nutrition

Keywords: Neapolitan cake, layer cake, chocolate strawberry vanilla cake, birthday cake, celebration dessert, easy cake recipe, homemade cake, party cake, classic dessert

Find it online: https://magnetmeal.com/neapolitan-cake-recipe-easy-3-layer-dessert-for-special-occasions/