Description
A classic Neapolitan cake with chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry layers, frosted in rich buttercream and perfect for any celebration.
Ingredients
Base Cake
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs
1 tbsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
1 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
Flavor Variations
½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (for chocolate layer)
½ cup strawberry puree (or freeze-dried strawberry powder) (for strawberry layer)
Pink food coloring (optional, for strawberry layer)
Frosting
4 cups buttercream frosting (divided into three bowls)
Optional: chocolate shavings, sprinkles, fresh berries
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 9-inch round cake pans.
Make the batter: Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add to wet ingredients, alternating with milk. Stir in vanilla extract.
Divide & flavor: Split batter into three equal portions. Add cocoa powder to one portion, strawberry puree (and food coloring, if using) to another, and leave the third as vanilla.
Bake: Pour each batter into its own pan. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks.
Cool & level: Once cooled, level the tops with a serrated knife.
Assemble: Place chocolate layer first, spread frosting, add vanilla layer, frost again, then add strawberry layer. Apply a thin crumb coat, chill 15 minutes, then frost completely.
Decorate: Add rosettes, chocolate shavings, sprinkles, or fresh berries as desired.
Serve: Slice and enjoy at room temperature.
Notes
For deeper flavor, use Dutch-processed cocoa powder for the chocolate layer. Fresh strawberries in the puree enhance the strawberry layer’s flavor.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 45g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 65g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
Keywords: neapolitan cake, chocolate vanilla strawberry cake, layered cake