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Neapolitan Cake Recipe
Isabella

Neapolitan Cake

This Neapolitan Cake is a stunning triple-layer dessert inspired by the classic ice cream flavor. With rich chocolate, sweet strawberry, and classic vanilla layers stacked together and frosted with silky vanilla buttercream, it’s the perfect centerpiece for birthdays, celebrations, or anytime you want a nostalgic yet impressive treat.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 32 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 12 slices
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Vanilla Cake Base
  • 230 g unsalted butter, softened
  • 200 g granulated sugar
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 315 g all-purpose flour
  • 3 tsp baking powder
  • 0.25 tsp salt
  • 240 ml full-fat milk
  • 2 tbsp sour cream
Flavoring the Layers
  • 1 tsp strawberry extract
  • few drops pink food coloring gel
  • 1 tbsp cocoa powder, sifted
  • 1 tbsp milk (for chocolate layer)
Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
  • 230 g unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
  • 625 g powdered sugar, sifted
  • 3–4 tbsp full-fat milk

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and line three 6-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
  2. Cream the butter, sugar, and vanilla until light and fluffy.
  3. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
  4. Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add to the batter alternately with the milk and sour cream.
  5. Divide the batter evenly into three bowls. Leave one plain, flavor one with strawberry extract and pink coloring, and mix cocoa powder and milk into the third.
  6. Pour each batter into prepared pans and bake for 30–32 minutes, until a skewer comes out clean. Cool completely.
  7. For the buttercream, beat butter until creamy. Add vanilla, powdered sugar gradually, and milk until smooth.
  8. Level cakes if needed. Stack chocolate, strawberry, then vanilla layers with buttercream between each.
  9. Apply a crumb coat, chill briefly, then finish frosting and decorate as desired.

Notes

Use gel food coloring for vibrant color without thinning the batter. Make sure cake layers are fully cooled before frosting to prevent melting. Unfrosted layers can be frozen for up to 2 months.