Neapolitan Cake Recipe
This Neapolitan Cake is a delightful layered dessert featuring three classic flavors: rich chocolate, fresh strawberry, and smooth vanilla. Moist and fluffy cake layers are combined with a creamy homemade cream cheese frosting, making it a perfect treat for any celebration or special occasion.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Batter
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 4 large eggs (room temperature)
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Additional Flavors
- 1/2 cup melted chocolate (for chocolate layer)
- 1/2 cup pureed strawberries (for strawberry layer)
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 1 cup softened butter
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pans: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease three round cake pans or line them with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt until fully combined to create a uniform dry mix.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, blend the eggs, whole milk, and vanilla extract until smooth to create the wet mixture for the batter.
- Form the Base Batter: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing gently until just combined to avoid overmixing, which can lead to tough cakes.
- Divide and Flavor Batter: Split the batter evenly into three separate portions. To one portion, stir in melted chocolate for the chocolate layer. To another, fold in pureed strawberries for the strawberry layer. Leave the third portion plain for the vanilla layer.
- Bake the Layers: Pour each flavored batter into its prepared cake pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and allow the cakes to cool completely in the pans before removing.
- Prepare Frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat softened butter and cream cheese together until smooth and creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and continue to beat until the frosting is light and fluffy.
- Assemble the Cake: Place the vanilla layer on a serving plate, spread a layer of the cream cheese frosting on top. Add the strawberry layer and repeat with frosting, then place the chocolate layer on top. Cover the entire cake with the remaining frosting, smoothing the sides and top for a finished look.
Notes
- Ensure eggs are at room temperature for best mixing results.
- Allow cake layers to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting.
- Puree fresh or frozen strawberries for the strawberry layer, strained if too watery, to maintain batter consistency.
- Use high-quality unsweetened cocoa powder for a richer chocolate flavor.
- Store the cake in the refrigerator if not serving immediately, to keep the cream cheese frosting fresh.
Keywords: Neapolitan cake, layered cake, chocolate cake, strawberry cake, cream cheese frosting, vanilla cake, dessert recipe
Find it online: https://chefmilacook.com/neapolitan-cake-recipe/
