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Neapolitan Cake: Easy Dinner Recipe-Level Simplicity for a Stunning Dessert

Neapolitan Cake

A stunning triple-layer cake featuring chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla layers, all stacked together and finished with a rich cream cheese buttercream frosting.
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Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 12 slices
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 520
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup softened butter (for frosting)
  • 4 cups powdered sugar (for frosting)
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened (for frosting)
  • 1/2 cup melted chocolate (for chocolate layer)
  • 1/2 cup strawberry puree (for strawberry layer)

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease three round cake pans or line them with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, whole milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
  4. Gradually add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined—do not overmix.
  5. Divide the batter evenly into three bowls. Add melted chocolate to one bowl, strawberry purée to another, and leave the final bowl as vanilla.
  6. Pour each flavored batter into its own prepared pan. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  7. Cool all layers completely on wire racks before assembling.
  8. To make the frosting, beat the softened butter and cream cheese together until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and beat until creamy.
  9. Frost between each layer, stacking chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla. Coat the outside of the cake with the remaining frosting.
  10. Chill for 30 minutes before slicing for clean layers.

Notes

For a stronger strawberry flavor, add a few drops of strawberry extract or mix in finely chopped freeze-dried strawberries.