Neapolitan Cake: 1 Amazing Easy Recipe!
Table of Contents
- Introduction to the Amazing Easy Neapolitan Cake!
- Why You’ll Love This Easy Neapolitan Cake Recipe
- Essential Ingredients for Your Neapolitan Cake
- Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Bake Neapolitan Cake
- Expert Tips for the Perfect Neapolitan Cake
- Serving and Storing Your Neapolitan Cake
- Frequently Asked Question
This post presents a delightful Homemade Neapolitan Cake: 1 Amazing Easy Recipe! Get ready to impress everyone with this classic layered dessert, featuring vibrant vanilla, rich chocolate, and sweet strawberry flavors. Baking a stunning Neapolitan cake has never been easier or more fun!
Introduction to the Amazing Easy Neapolitan Cake!
There’s something truly special about a Neapolitan cake. Its distinct layers of vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry not only look incredible but also offer a symphony of flavors in every bite. This recipe focuses on making the process straightforward, even for novice bakers.
Prepare to create a show-stopping dessert that’s perfect for birthdays, holidays, or just a sweet celebration. We’ll guide you through each step to ensure your homemade Neapolitan cake turns out perfectly.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Neapolitan Cake Recipe
This easy Neapolitan cake recipe stands out because it simplifies a usually complex dessert. You’ll love the balance of classic flavors and the relatively simple assembly process. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy multiple cake experiences in one slice!
Plus, the homemade touch elevates it far beyond any store-bought equivalent. This Neapolitan cake is a true crowd-pleaser.
Essential Ingredients for Your Neapolitan Cake
Gathering your ingredients is the first step to creating this magnificent layered cake. We’ve broken down the list for each layer and the delicious Neapolitan buttercream frosting.
For the Vanilla Cake Layer
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup milk
For the Strawberry Cake Layer
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup milk
- ¼ cup strawberry puree (from fresh or frozen strawberries)
- Few drops red food coloring (optional)
For the Chocolate Cake Layer
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup milk
For the Neapolitan Buttercream Frosting
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3-4 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon strawberry puree
- Few drops red food coloring (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Bake Neapolitan Cake
Let’s dive into the baking process. Follow these instructions carefully for a perfect result. Read our in-depth guide on baking tips here: Read our in-depth guide here.
Baking the Cake Layers
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 8-inch round cake pans.
- **Vanilla Layer:** Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then vanilla. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, alternating with milk, beginning and ending with dry. Mix until just combined. Pour into one prepared pan.
- **Strawberry Layer:** Repeat the vanilla cake steps. After adding milk, gently fold in strawberry puree and food coloring (if using). Pour into the second prepared pan.
- **Chocolate Layer:** Repeat the vanilla cake steps. When whisking dry ingredients, include cocoa powder. Pour into the third prepared pan.
- Bake all three layers for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Preparing the Neapolitan Buttercream
- In a large bowl, beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing until well combined.
- Beat in vanilla extract and 2 tablespoons of heavy cream until frosting is smooth and fluffy. Add more cream if needed to reach desired consistency.
- Divide the frosting into three equal portions.
- **Vanilla Frosting:** Leave one portion as is.
- **Chocolate Frosting:** Mix one portion with cocoa powder until smooth.
- **Strawberry Frosting:** Mix the last portion with strawberry puree and red food coloring (if using) until smooth.
Assembling Your Neapolitan Masterpiece
- Place one cooled cake layer (e.g., vanilla) on a serving plate or cake stand. Spread an even layer of chocolate frosting over the top.
- Carefully place the second cake layer (e.g., strawberry) on top of the chocolate frosting. Spread an even layer of vanilla frosting over it.
- Top with the final cake layer (e.g., chocolate).
- Now, use the remaining frostings to decorate the outside of the cake. You can pipe stripes, create swirls, or use an offset spatula to blend the colors for a beautiful effect. For inspiration, check out Wilton’s cake decorating ideas.
- Chill the cake for at least 30 minutes to set the frosting before slicing.
Expert Tips for the Perfect Neapolitan Cake
Achieving a bakery-worthy Neapolitan cake is easy with a few tricks. Always ensure your ingredients are at room temperature for the best cake texture. This helps everything emulsify properly.
Don’t overmix your batter; mix until just combined to keep the cakes tender. For even layers, weigh your batter for each cake or use a measuring cup to divide it as accurately as possible.
Serving and Storing Your Neapolitan Cake
This beautiful Neapolitan cake is best served at room temperature to allow the flavors and textures to shine. Slice with a warm, sharp knife for clean cuts.
Store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Bring to room temperature before serving for optimal taste.
frequently asked question
Can I use a box mix for the Neapolitan cake layers?
Yes, you can absolutely use box cake mixes to save time! Just prepare three separate mixes (one vanilla, one chocolate, and one strawberry-flavored, or add puree/extracts to a vanilla mix) according to package directions.
How do I get really distinct layers with the frosting?
To achieve distinct frosting layers, make sure your cake layers are completely cooled before frosting. You can also chill the frosted cake briefly after each layer of frosting to help it set before adding the next. Using a piping bag can also give cleaner edges.
What’s the best way to get natural strawberry flavor in the cake?
For the best natural strawberry flavor, use fresh or frozen strawberries pureed and strained to remove seeds. Reducing the puree slightly on the stovetop can intensify the flavor even more before adding it to your batter or frosting.