Neapolitan Cake Recipe

If you’re ready to celebrate a gorgeous trifecta of color and flavor, Neapolitan Cake is the dessert you’ll love for birthdays, holidays, or any day that demands a little extra fun. With stripes of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry cake—each beautifully distinct yet perfectly harmonious—this treat is as much a feast for the eyes as for your taste buds. Whether you’re nostalgic for classic Neapolitan ice cream or simply want to wow your guests, this cake serves up playfulness, nostalgia, and pure joy in every slice.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Neapolitan Cake keeps things delightfully simple with pantry staples, yet each ingredient plays a crucial role in creating its signature layers and flavors. Gather up these essentials and prepare to stun yourself with the deliciously nostalgic results.

• All-purpose flour: Lays the foundation for a tender, fluffy crumb in every layer.
• Granulated sugar: Sweetens the mix and helps achieve that irresistible soft texture.
• Baking powder: Provides the lift so your Neapolitan Cake layers come out tall and airy.
• Salt: Just a touch to enhance all the flavors and keep the sweetness in balance.
• Unsalted butter (softened): Adds richness and a melt-in-your-mouth quality — don’t skip the softening step!
• Large eggs (room temperature): Bind everything together while keeping the cake moist.
• Whole milk: Ensures a creamy, rich texture and helps the cake bake up beautifully.
• Cocoa powder (unsweetened): Turns one layer decadently chocolatey and makes the color pop.
• Strawberry extract: Contributes a lovely pink hue and real strawberry flavor—perfect for the iconic third stripe.

How to Make Neapolitan Cake

Step 1: Prep Your Pans and Ingredients

First things first: fire up your oven to 350°F (175°C). Take a moment to grease three round cake pans—this keeps those beautiful layers from sticking later on. Measuring and prepping your ingredients now will make the rest of the recipe feel like a breeze.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

Grab a medium bowl and whisk together your flour, baking powder, and salt. This quick step ensures the flavor and rise will be even throughout the Neapolitan Cake’s stunning stripes. Set the bowl aside—you’ll need it in just a moment.

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream the softened butter with granulated sugar. Mix until it transforms into a fluffy, pale blend—this adds both lift and that classic cake crumb we all crave.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Milk

Beat in the eggs, one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated. Pour in the milk slowly, letting the batter blend until smooth. Crackling with anticipation? The base batter should be creamy and luscious at this point!

Step 5: Add the Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet, mixing just until everything beautifully comes together. Overmixing? Don’t even think about it—gentle is the secret here for a delicate Neapolitan Cake.

Step 6: Divide and Flavor the Batters

Split the batter evenly into three bowls. Leave one as-is for the classic vanilla, stir in cocoa powder to the second for a rich chocolate layer, and add strawberry extract to the third to achieve that lovely pink color and fruity flavor. Each bowl should look and smell delicious!

Step 7: Bake Each Layer

Pour each batter into its own prepared pan. Slide the pans into your oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick poked into the center comes out clean. The moment they’re done, let them cool completely—this is crucial for neat, stackable layers. Once cool, it’s stacking time: layer them with your favorite frosting for the full Neapolitan Cake effect!

How to Serve Neapolitan Cake

Garnishes

You can never go wrong with a flourish—top your Neapolitan Cake with swirls of whipped cream, a handful of fresh strawberries, chocolate curls, or even rainbow sprinkles. It’s all about making those stripes sing and drawing every eye at the party!

Side Dishes

Pair slices with simple sides that complement its flavors: think vanilla bean ice cream, a tumble of fresh berries, or even a crisp cup of coffee. These gentle accompaniments let the starring cake shine and round out the dessert experience.

Creative Ways to Present

Layer your cake with colorful frosting between each stripe, cut each slice to reveal dramatic layers, or bake in mini cake pans for adorable personal servings. Neapolitan Cake also shines as a naked cake, showing off those glorious color blocks—just dust with powdered sugar for a rustic finish.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you happen to have leftovers (lucky you!), wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap or store slices in an airtight container. It will stay fresh and moist in the refrigerator for up to 4 days—just let slices sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before eating for the best texture.

Freezing

To freeze, wrap each layer or assembled slices individually in plastic and then foil, or use a freezer-safe container. Neapolitan Cake freezes beautifully for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.

Reheating

While this cake is delicious chilled, you can bring a slice back to life by popping it in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. Warmed slightly, the butter releases its aroma and the cake softens perfectly.

FAQs

Can I use cake flour instead of all-purpose flour?

Absolutely! Cake flour will create an even lighter, more delicate crumb. Just replace at a 1:1 ratio for a tender Neapolitan Cake.

What type of frosting goes best with Neapolitan Cake?

Classic vanilla buttercream is an always-reliable crowd-pleaser, but feel free to mix things up with chocolate ganache or a fresh strawberry whipped cream for extra color and flavor.

Can I turn this recipe into cupcakes?

Yes, and it’s so much fun! Layer the different batters into cupcake liners and bake for about 15-18 minutes—they’ll come out as adorable mini Neapolitan Cakes.

What if I don’t have strawberry extract?

No worries—you can use a bit of strawberry puree for a natural touch, or sub in raspberry extract for a fun twist. Just note the color may be less vibrant than the classic Neapolitan Cake look.

Why do my cake layers sometimes stick to the pan?

This is a common pitfall! Grease pans thoroughly and consider lining the bottoms with parchment paper circles for effortless removal and picture-perfect layers.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly joyful about slicing into a Neapolitan Cake and seeing those three gorgeous layers—each a promise of flavor and fun. Whether you’re baking for a crowd, or just for the love of cake, don’t be surprised if you find yourself making this one again and again. Jump in, and let your kitchen fill with the sweet, nostalgic magic of Neapolitan Cake!

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