When it comes to stunning and delicious layered cakes, few can rival the Neapolitan Cake. Inspired by the famous tri-colored Neapolitan ice cream, this cake beautifully combines three classic flavors—chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry—into one irresistible dessert. Whether you’re searching for My Cake School Recipes, creative cake slice ideas, or cakes for a bake sale, this Neapolitan Cake is guaranteed to impress.
Not to be confused with the Napoleon Cake, which features puff pastry layers, the Neapolitan Cake is a delightful celebration of flavor and color, perfect for birthdays, special occasions, or any day you crave something sweet. In this article, we’ll guide you through how to make the best Neapolitan Cake, along with tips, variations, and fun cake sandwich ideas desserts that you can create with the leftovers!
Why You’ll Love This Neapolitan Cake
- Three flavors in one! A perfect blend of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry in every bite.
- Visually stunning with its distinct layers, making it a showstopper for any occasion.
- Great for bake sales—a unique, colorful treat that will attract buyers.
- Customizable—adjust the flavors, fillings, and frostings to suit your taste.
- Inspired by My Cake School Recipes, a go-to source for professional yet easy-to-follow baking guides.
Ingredients for Neapolitan Cake
For the Chocolate Cake Layer:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup hot water
For the Vanilla Cake Layer:
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup whole milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
For the Strawberry Cake Layer:
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup strawberry puree
- ½ teaspoon strawberry extract
- A few drops of pink or red food coloring (optional)
For the Buttercream Frosting:
- 1 ½ cups unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- A pinch of salt
- ¼ cup cocoa powder (for chocolate frosting portion)
- ¼ cup strawberry puree (for strawberry frosting portion)
How to Make Neapolitan Cake
Step 1: Prepare the Cake Layers
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 8-inch round cake pans.
- Make the chocolate cake layer: In a bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In another bowl, beat butter and sugar until creamy. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in buttermilk and vanilla. Gradually add dry ingredients, then stir in hot water. Pour into one prepared pan.
- Make the vanilla cake layer: In a clean bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Beat butter and sugar until fluffy, then add eggs and vanilla. Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk. Pour into another prepared pan.
- Make the strawberry cake layer: Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, beat butter and sugar, then add eggs, strawberry puree, and extract. Mix in dry ingredients, adding food coloring if desired. Pour into the third pan.
- Bake all three cakes for 22-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely before assembling.
Step 2: Prepare the Frosting
- Make vanilla buttercream by beating butter until smooth, then gradually adding powdered sugar. Mix in vanilla extract, heavy cream, and salt.
- Divide into three portions:
- Keep one portion vanilla.
- Mix cocoa powder into the second portion for chocolate frosting.
- Blend strawberry puree into the third portion for strawberry frosting.
Step 3: Assemble the Cake
- Place the chocolate cake layer on a serving plate and spread a layer of chocolate frosting.
- Add the vanilla cake layer and spread vanilla frosting.
- Top with the strawberry cake layer and spread strawberry frosting.
- Cover the entire cake with a smooth layer of vanilla buttercream, then decorate with additional swirls of chocolate and strawberry frosting for a stunning finish.
Creative Cake Slice Ideas & Cake Sandwich Ideas Desserts
Looking for ways to serve your Neapolitan Cake creatively? Try these ideas:
- Cake Slice Ideas: Serve with fresh berries, chocolate drizzle, or a scoop of Neapolitan ice cream.
- Cake Sandwich Ideas Desserts: Slice thin layers of cake and sandwich them with whipped cream or jam for a fun treat.
- Mini Cake Bites: Cut into small squares and dip in chocolate for bite-sized delights.
How to Make Neapolitan Cake for a Bake Sale
If you’re making cakes for a bake sale, consider these tips:
- Pre-slice the cake into uniform squares for easy serving.
- Sell as cake pops by crumbling cake layers, mixing with frosting, and coating in chocolate.
- Package individual slices in clear containers with decorative labels to attract buyers.
The Difference Between Neapolitan Cake and Napoleon Cake
While Neapolitan Cake consists of layered sponge cakes flavored with chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry, the Napoleon Cake is a completely different dessert. Originating from France and Russia, Napoleon Cake features layers of flaky puff pastry filled with pastry cream or whipped cream. Both cakes are delicious, but they offer entirely different textures and tastes!
Where to Find Neapolitan Cake Inspiration
If you’re looking for more My Cake School Recipes, check out My Cake School for expert baking tutorials. You can also draw inspiration from the famous Jenny Bakery, known for its high-quality desserts.
Final Thoughts
The Neapolitan Cake is a timeless classic, offering a perfect balance of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry in one stunning dessert. Whether you’re baking it for a special occasion, a bake sale, or simply indulging in a nostalgic treat, this recipe is sure to impress. Plus, with creative cake slice ideas and cake sandwich ideas desserts, you can enjoy this cake in multiple ways!
Try this recipe today and bring the delightful flavors of Neapolitan Cake to your next celebration!
Love This Recipe? Try These!
- Chocolate Fudge Layer Cake
- Strawberry Shortcake
- Vanilla Bean Buttercream Cupcakes
Let us know in the comments how your Neapolitan Cake turned out!
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