Name: Neapolitan Cake Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 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; 3 tbsp melted chocolate (for chocolate layer); 3 tbsp pureed strawberries (for strawberry layer); 1 cup softened butter; 4 cups powdered sugar; 8 oz cream cheese (softened)

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Introduction

The Neapolitan Cake is a delightful treat that captures the classic flavors of chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla in one beautifully layered dessert. Perfect for celebrations or simply enjoying with a cup of coffee, this cake offers a rich blend of tastes and textures that everyone will love.

The image shows a slice of layered cake on a white plate with black speckles, placed on a white marbled surface. The cake has four visible layers: the bottom and third layers are dark brown with a soft, moist texture; the second layer is light pink and creamy; and the fourth layer is white and smooth. The whole slice is covered in light pink frosting, with small swirls of white, pink, and dark brown cream decoration on top. There is a gold fork next to the slice on the plate. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

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
1 cup softened butter (for frosting)
4 cups powdered sugar (for frosting)
8 oz cream cheese (softened, for frosting)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease three round cake pans or line them with parchment paper to ensure easy removal.
Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt until thoroughly combined.
Step 3: In a separate bowl, blend the eggs, whole milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Gradually add this wet mixture to the dry ingredients, mixing carefully to avoid overworking the batter.
Step 4: Divide the batter evenly into three portions. Stir melted chocolate into one portion, add pureed strawberries to the second, and keep the third plain as the vanilla layer.
Step 5: Pour each flavored batter into its prepared pan. Bake all three layers for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool completely before frosting.
Step 6: Prepare the frosting by combining softened butter, powdered sugar, and cream cheese until smooth. Spread frosting between each cake layer and then cover the entire assembled cake for a beautiful finish.

Tips & Variations

Replace pureed strawberries with raspberry puree for a slightly tangier flavor.
Use high-quality cocoa powder and fresh strawberries to enhance taste.
Chill the assembled cake for about an hour before serving to help the frosting set.

Storage

Store the cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To serve, let it sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes, which makes slicing easier and improves flavor. You can also freeze the cake wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.

How to Serve

A white plate with speckles holds a slice of four-layer cake. The bottom and third layers are dark chocolate with a soft, moist texture. Between them, the second layer is light pink, smooth and creamy. The fourth layer at the top is white cream, fluffy and thick. The cake is covered in pale pink icing on the sides, smooth and evenly spread. The top is decorated with swirls of pink and white cream, plus small dark chocolate dollops. A silver fork lies beside the cake on the plate. The surface below is white with a marble pattern. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen strawberries in this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen strawberries. Thaw and puree them first, then drain any excess liquid to avoid adding too much moisture to the batter.

Is it possible to make this cake without cream cheese?

Certainly. You can substitute the cream cheese in the frosting with an equal amount of additional butter or use a simple buttercream frosting if you prefer.