Introduction

The Neapolitan Cake is a beautiful celebration of classic flavors—chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla—all layered in one stunning dessert. Perfect for special occasions or any time you want to impress with a colorful, delicious treat.

Ingredients

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 cup softened butter (for frosting)
4 cups powdered sugar (for frosting)
8 oz cream cheese (softened, for frosting)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease three round cake pans or line them with parchment paper to ensure easy removal.
Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
Step 3: In a separate bowl, blend the eggs, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Gradually add this wet mixture to the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined to avoid overmixing.
Step 4: Divide the batter evenly into three portions. To one portion, mix in melted chocolate for a rich chocolate layer. To another, fold in pureed strawberries for a fresh strawberry flavor. Leave the third portion as the vanilla base.
Step 5: Pour each flavored batter into its prepared pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool completely before frosting.
Step 6: Make the cream cheese frosting by beating together softened butter, cream cheese, and powdered sugar until smooth. Spread frosting between each cake layer, then cover the entire cake evenly once assembled.

Tips & Variations

For a stronger strawberry flavor, macerate fresh strawberries with a bit of sugar before pureeing.
Use high-quality cocoa powder and real vanilla extract to enhance the flavors.
Try swapping the cream cheese frosting for whipped cream for a lighter option.
If you prefer, add a slice of fresh strawberry between layers for extra texture.

Storage

Store the cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days to keep the frosting fresh. Before serving, allow it to come to room temperature for the best flavor and texture. Leftover slices can be wrapped tightly and frozen for up to 1 month; thaw in the fridge overnight before enjoying.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I bake this cake in different sized pans?

Yes, but baking times may vary. Adjust accordingly and check doneness with a toothpick regularly to avoid under- or overbaking.

What can I substitute for cream cheese in the frosting?

You can use mascarpone cheese or softened butter alone for a different but still creamy frosting texture.

Neapolitan Cake Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 138 reviews

This Neapolitan Cake is a delightful layered dessert featuring three distinct flavors: rich chocolate, fresh strawberry, and classic vanilla. Each layer is baked separately and then assembled with a smooth, creamy cream cheese frosting, creating a visually stunning and delicious treat perfect for any celebration.

Author: Sophie
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Yield: 12 servings 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Italian-American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

Cake Layers

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)

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 8-inch round cake pans or line them with parchment paper to ensure the cakes release easily after baking.
Mix dry ingredients. In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt until thoroughly combined, creating a uniform dry base for the batter.
Combine wet ingredients. In a separate bowl, blend the eggs, whole milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and well incorporated. Gradually pour this mixture into the dry ingredients, gently mixing to avoid overworking the batter, which can make the cake dense.
Divide and flavor batter. Divide the prepared batter evenly into three separate bowls. To one bowl, add the melted chocolate and fold gently for the chocolate layer. Into the second bowl, stir in the pureed strawberries for the strawberry layer. Leave the third bowl as is for the vanilla layer.
Bake the layers. Pour each flavored batter into its respective prepared cake pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and allow the cakes to cool completely in the pans before removing.
Prepare the frosting. In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, continuing to beat until the frosting is fluffy and spreadable.
Assemble the cake. Place the vanilla layer on your serving plate and spread a generous layer of cream cheese frosting on top. Add the strawberry layer and frost again, then add the chocolate layer. Finally, frost the top and sides of the entire cake evenly for a smooth finish.

Notes

Use room temperature eggs and cream cheese to ensure smooth batter and frosting.
Puree fresh strawberries and strain to remove seeds for a smoother strawberry layer.
Allow cakes to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting the frosting.
The cake layers can be baked a day ahead and stored wrapped in plastic wrap at room temperature.
For extra moisture, brush each cake layer with simple syrup before frosting.

Keywords: Neapolitan cake, layered cake, chocolate cake, strawberry cake, vanilla cake, cream cheese frosting, party cake, dessert