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Neapolitan Cake

Neapolitan Cake
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A classic Neapolitan Cake that combines luscious layers of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry flavors into one visually stunning and delicious dessert. This easy-to-follow recipe makes a moist and tender tri-colored cake perfect for celebrations or any special occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup cocoa powder (for chocolate layer)

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ¾ cups sugar
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup milk or buttermilk, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (for vanilla layer)
  • ½ cup fresh strawberries puree or natural pink food coloring (for strawberry layer)

Frosting

  • Whipped cream or buttercream frosting, as needed for layering and covering the cake

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Batter: Sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a large bowl, cream the softened butter with sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time. Alternately add dry ingredients and milk to the creamed mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients, mixing until smooth. Divide the batter evenly into three separate bowls.
  2. Flavor Each Layer: Fold cocoa powder gently into the first portion of batter to create the chocolate layer. Add vanilla extract to the second portion for the vanilla layer. Mix fresh strawberry puree or a few drops of natural pink food coloring into the third portion for the strawberry layer.
  3. Bake the Layers: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 8-inch round cake pans. Pour each flavored batter evenly into separate pans. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake layers cool completely on wire racks.
  4. Frost and Assemble: Level each cake layer if necessary. Place the strawberry layer on your serving plate and spread a thin layer of whipped cream or buttercream frosting over it. Add the vanilla layer on top and frost again. Place the chocolate layer last and frost the entire cake, smoothing the sides and edges for a clean finish.
  5. Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the assembled cake for at least one hour to allow flavors to meld and the frosting to set. Slice with a serrated knife dipped in hot water for clean cuts. Serve garnished with fresh strawberries, chocolate shavings, or edible rose petals if desired.

Notes

  • Use room temperature eggs and butter for a smoother batter and even baking.
  • Wrap cake pans with damp towels or use cake strips to prevent doming.
  • Prefer fresh strawberry puree over artificial flavoring for better natural taste and color.
  • Chill cake layers before frosting to avoid melting or slipping.
  • Use a serrated knife dipped in hot water to make neat cake slices.
  • Taste batters before baking and adjust sweetness or flavor if needed.

Nutrition

Keywords: Neapolitan Cake, layered cake, chocolate cake, vanilla cake, strawberry cake, dessert, tri-flavor cake, celebration cake

Find it online: https://linacorner.com/neapolitan-cake/