You know the first time I made this neapolitan cake I totally messed up the chocolate layer but it was fine because my kids didn’t even notice since they were too busy licking the strawberry frosting off their fingers and I remember standing there laughing because this Neapolitan cake didn’t look perfect but it smelled like heaven and honestly that’s all that mattered that day because sometimes baking isn’t about perfection it’s about fun and chocolate smudges on your cheeks and the sound of laughter filling the kitchen and every time I make this Neapolitan cake I think about that day when I realized that a little mess doesn’t ruin the sweetness it just makes the memory even better.
This Neapolitan cake is like a tiny celebration in every slice because you get vanilla chocolate and strawberry all stacked up in one bite and that’s pretty amazing right and sometimes when I bake it I forget to level the layers and they tilt a little but when I frost it no one can tell so I just smile and keep going because that’s real life and I’ve learned that cakes like this Neapolitan cake are meant to be enjoyed not judged and there’s something comforting about the soft smell of vanilla and the bold cocoa mixing with that fruity strawberry swirl that makes you stop and just take a big deep breath before diving in.
Last week my neighbor came over right when I pulled a Neapolitan cake out of the oven and she said it smelled like her childhood because her mom used to make one every Sunday and I laughed because that’s the magic of baking these simple sweet moments that connect us even when we didn’t plan them and I told her I still struggle with getting the whipped cream frosting smooth but she said it made it look homemade and happy and that line stuck with me because that’s exactly what this Neapolitan cake feels like homemade and happy.
And oh I’ve tried serving this Neapolitan cake with all kinds of fun treats because why stop at one sweet thing when you can have a whole dessert party I’ve paired it with creamy vanilla ice cream warm chocolate sauce chilled strawberry milk crunchy sugar cookies gooey brownies and even a slice of banana pudding on the side but my favorite was when I had it with S’mores CookS’mores Cookie Barsie Bars because the marshmallow and chocolate combo just melted perfectly with the Neapolitan cake flavors and honestly I could eat that every weekend if calories didn’t count.
Sometimes I burn the edges or forget to chill the frosting long enough and the layers slide a little but when I see my family digging in and smiling I realize it doesn’t matter at all because this Neapolitan cake isn’t about perfect lines or even layers it’s about comfort and sweetness and those quiet moments when you sneak a second slice late at night while the house is silent and you just think wow this Neapolitan cake really is something special.
ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- Pink food coloring a few drops
- ½ cup strawberry puree or jam
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract for frosting
ingredients notes
- All-purpose flour gives the cake its soft fluffy texture and helps everything hold together
- Baking powder makes the cake rise and become light and airy
- Salt balances the sweetness and brings out the flavor
- Unsalted butter adds richness and helps make the cake soft and moist
- Granulated sugar sweetens the cake and makes it tender
- Eggs hold everything together and add structure
- Whole milk keeps the cake moist and smooth
- Vanilla extract gives a lovely sweet aroma that matches the chocolate and strawberry layers
- Unsweetened cocoa powder makes the chocolate layer taste rich and deep
- Pink food coloring gives the strawberry layer that fun pink color
- Strawberry puree or jam adds fruity flavor and color
- Heavy whipping cream is used for making the fluffy frosting
- Powdered sugar sweetens the whipped cream and makes it smooth
- Vanilla extract for frosting adds a nice gentle flavor to the cream
How to make neopolitan cake ?
step 1
Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease three round cake pans with butter or nonstick spray then line the bottoms with parchment paper so the cakes come out easily after baking.
step 2
In a large bowl whisk together the flour baking powder and salt until they are all mixed evenly so your cake bakes perfectly without lumps.
step 3
In another big bowl beat the softened butter and sugar together until the mix looks light and fluffy which means air is mixed in and that helps make the cake soft.
step 4
Add the eggs one by one while mixing after each one then pour in the vanilla extract so everything blends well and smells amazing.
step 5
Slowly add the dry ingredients and milk into the butter mixture taking turns and mixing gently until you have a smooth batter that’s not too thick or too thin.
step 6
Now divide the batter evenly into three bowls so you can make the three fun flavors of Neapolitan cake chocolate vanilla and strawberry.
step 7
Leave one bowl plain that’s your vanilla layer simple and sweet.
step 8
In the second bowl mix in the cocoa powder until it’s smooth and brown for your chocolate layer which will smell rich and chocolaty.
step 9
In the third bowl stir in the strawberry puree or jam and add a few drops of pink food coloring so it looks bright and fruity for your strawberry layer.
step 10
Pour each batter into its own pan then spread the top flat with a spoon or spatula so they bake evenly without bumps.
step 11
Bake the cakes for about 20 to 25 minutes until a toothpick poked in the middle comes out clean which means they’re done.
step 12
Let the cakes cool in the pans for about 10 minutes then take them out and put them on a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
step 13
To make the frosting whip the heavy cream powdered sugar and vanilla extract together with an electric mixer until you get soft fluffy peaks that hold their shape.
step 14
Once the cakes are completely cool place the chocolate layer first on a cake plate then spread a layer of frosting on top.
step 15
Add the strawberry layer next then another layer of frosting spreading it evenly so every bite has cream.
step 16
Finally place the vanilla layer on top and cover the entire cake with the remaining frosting making it smooth or leaving fun swirls if you like a homemade look.
step 17
Put the cake in the fridge for about 30 minutes so the frosting sets and the flavors mix nicely before slicing.
step 18
Slice your Neapolitan cake and enjoy each bite that’s filled with chocolate strawberry and vanilla all together in one amazing dessert.
storage options
You can store your Neapolitan cake in the fridge covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container for up to five days so it stays fresh and creamy If you want to keep it longer you can freeze the unfrosted cake layers wrapped in plastic and foil for up to two months then thaw them in the fridge before frosting.
variations for neapolitan cake
- Use chocolate ganache between layers instead of whipped cream for a richer taste.
- Try buttercream frosting if you like a thicker sweeter topping.
- Add fresh strawberries between the layers for extra fruity bites.
- Make cupcakes with the same batters by layering them in cupcake liners.
- Try a Neapolitan ice cream cake version by freezing layers with ice cream instead of cake.
- Add white chocolate chips in the vanilla layer for a creamy surprise.
- Make it a marble cake by swirling the three batters together in one pan for a fun pattern.
kitchen equipment needed
- Three round cake pans
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Electric mixer or hand mixer
- Rubber spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cooling rack
- Cake plate or stand
- Parchment paper
- Knife or cake cutter
faq
what is neapolitan cake made of?
Neapolitan cake is made of three colorful layers one chocolate one vanilla and one strawberry so it brings together three favorite flavors in one treat that looks fun and tastes amazing each layer is baked separately then stacked with fluffy whipped cream frosting that ties it all together into a soft sweet cake full of flavor.
what does neapolitan cake taste like?
Neapolitan cake tastes like a perfect mix of chocolate vanilla and strawberry all in one bite so it’s creamy sweet and rich but also light because of the fluffy frosting and soft cake layers that melt in your mouth.
can i make neapolitan cake without food coloring?
Yes you can skip the pink food coloring if you prefer a natural look and still get the strawberry flavor from the puree or jam which gives it a light pink color without any artificial color.
can i use box cake mix for neapolitan cake?
You can use box cake mixes if you want an easier version by using one box each for chocolate vanilla and strawberry flavors then baking them separately and layering them just the same.
can i make neapolitan cake ahead of time?
Yes you can bake the layers one or two days early wrap them well and store them in the fridge then frost them the day you want to serve so it’s fresh and ready without rushing.
how can i keep my cake layers even?
You can use a long knife to trim the tops if they rise too much or use a cake leveler which helps the layers stack evenly and look nice when sliced.
what can i use instead of whipped cream frosting?
You can make buttercream cream cheese frosting or chocolate ganache instead depending on how rich or sweet you want your cake to taste.
why is it called neapolitan cake?
The name comes from the classic Neapolitan ice cream which has the same three flavors chocolate vanilla and strawberry and this cake is made to look and taste like that favorite ice cream combo.
neopolitan cake
Course: DessertCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Medium12
servings30
minutes25
minutes340
kcal55
minutesThis Neapolitan cake brings together three favorite flavors chocolate vanilla and strawberry into one soft fluffy and colorful dessert that’s fun to make and even better to eat.
Ingredients
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter softened
2 cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs
1 cup whole milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
Pink food coloring a few drops
½ cup strawberry puree or jam
1 cup heavy whipping cream
½ cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract for frosting
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease three round cake pans with butter or nonstick spray then line the bottoms with parchment paper so the cakes come out easily after baking.
- In a large bowl whisk together the flour baking powder and salt until they are all mixed evenly so your cake bakes perfectly without lumps.
- In another big bowl beat the softened butter and sugar together until the mix looks light and fluffy which means air is mixed in and that helps make the cake soft.
- Add the eggs one by one while mixing after each one then pour in the vanilla extract so everything blends well and smells amazing.
- Slowly add the dry ingredients and milk into the butter mixture taking turns and mixing gently until you have a smooth batter that’s not too thick or too thin.
- Now divide the batter evenly into three bowls so you can make the three fun flavors of Neapolitan cake chocolate vanilla and strawberry.
- Leave one bowl plain that’s your vanilla layer simple and sweet.
- In the second bowl mix in the cocoa powder until it’s smooth and brown for your chocolate layer which will smell rich and chocolaty.
- In the third bowl stir in the strawberry puree or jam and add a few drops of pink food coloring so it looks bright and fruity for your strawberry layer.
- Pour each batter into its own pan then spread the top flat with a spoon or spatula so they bake evenly without bumps.
- Bake the cakes for about 20 to 25 minutes until a toothpick poked in the middle comes out clean which means they’re done.
- Let the cakes cool in the pans for about 10 minutes then take them out and put them on a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
- To make the frosting whip the heavy cream powdered sugar and vanilla extract together with an electric mixer until you get soft fluffy peaks that hold their shape.
- Once the cakes are completely cool place the chocolate layer first on a cake plate then spread a layer of frosting on top.
- Add the strawberry layer next then another layer of frosting spreading it evenly so every bite has cream.
- Finally place the vanilla layer on top and cover the entire cake with the remaining frosting making it smooth or leaving fun swirls if you like a homemade look.
- Put the cake in the fridge for about 30 minutes so the frosting sets and the flavors mix nicely before slicing.
- Slice your Neapolitan cake and enjoy each bite that’s filled with chocolate strawberry and vanilla all together in one amazing dessert.
