Neapolitan Cake Chocolate Vanilla Strawberry Layers (Printer-friendly)
Three stunning layers of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry cake frosted with rich buttercream.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Cake Base
01 - 2¾ cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2½ teaspoons baking powder
03 - ½ teaspoon baking soda
04 - ¼ teaspoon salt
05 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
06 - 2 cups granulated sugar
07 - 4 large eggs
08 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
09 - 1¼ cups whole milk
→ Chocolate Layer Variations
10 - ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
11 - 3 tablespoons milk
→ Strawberry Layer Variations
12 - ½ cup finely chopped fresh strawberries or ¼ cup strawberry puree
13 - Pink or red food coloring (optional)
14 - ½ teaspoon strawberry extract (optional)
→ Buttercream Frosting
15 - 1½ cups unsalted butter, softened
16 - 5 cups powdered sugar, sifted
17 - ¼ cup heavy cream or milk
18 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
19 - Pinch of salt
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
02 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
03 - Beat butter and sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla extract.
04 - Alternately add flour mixture and milk to batter, starting and ending with flour. Mix until just combined.
05 - Divide batter equally into three separate bowls.
06 - Mix cocoa powder and 3 tablespoons milk in a small bowl until smooth, then fold into one portion of batter.
07 - Fold strawberries or puree, strawberry extract, and food coloring if using into second portion of batter.
08 - Leave third portion of batter plain for vanilla layer.
09 - Pour each batter into prepared pans. Smooth tops. Bake for 25-30 minutes until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
10 - Allow cakes to cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
11 - Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and salt, mixing well. Add vanilla and cream. Beat until fluffy.
12 - Trim cakes for even layers if necessary. Place chocolate layer on serving plate, spread buttercream. Repeat with strawberry and vanilla layers.
13 - Cover entire cake with thin layer of frosting. Chill for 30 minutes.
14 - Frost with remaining buttercream. Decorate as desired with sprinkles, fresh strawberries, or chocolate shavings.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- You get three distinct flavors in every single slice, no more compromising between chocolate, vanilla and strawberry
- The buttercream is forgiving enough for beginners but impressive enough for company
02 -
- Room temperature ingredients combine more smoothly and create a finer crumb texture
- Chilling the crumb coat is the secret to professional-looking frosting without those frustrating crumbs poking through
03 -
- Weigh your batter portions to ensure perfectly even layers
- Invest in good cake pans with straight sides for professional-looking results