Description
Indulge in the classic Neapolitan Cake, a delightful triple-layered dessert featuring rich vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry flavors. This moist and tender cake combines three delicious batters, each representing a beloved Neapolitan ice cream flavor, perfect for celebrations or a special treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup cocoa powder (unsweetened)
Wet Ingredients
- ¾ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 4 large eggs (room temperature)
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 tsp strawberry extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease three round cake pans to ensure the cakes bake evenly and release easily after baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this mixture aside for later incorporation into the batter.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which helps create a tender crumb.
- Add Eggs and Milk: Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then, gradually add the whole milk and mix well.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Slowly add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until the batter is combined to avoid overworking the flour.
- Divide and Flavor Batter: Divide the batter evenly into three separate bowls. Leave one bowl plain for the vanilla layer, stir the cocoa powder into the second bowl for the chocolate layer, and add the strawberry extract to the third bowl for the strawberry layer.
- Bake the Layers: Pour each flavored batter into the prepared cake pans. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool the Cakes: Allow the cakes to cool completely in their pans before removing and assembling to prevent the frosting from melting.
- Assemble the Cake: Stack the cooled layers with your preferred frosting between each layer to create the iconic Neapolitan cake look and flavor.
Notes
- Ensure eggs are at room temperature for better mixing and a smoother batter.
- Do not overmix the batter after adding the dry ingredients to keep the cake tender.
- Use fresh strawberry extract for the most pronounced flavor.
- You can frost the cake with vanilla buttercream or whipped cream for a traditional finish.
- Make sure the cakes are fully cooled before frosting to avoid melting.
- If desired, you can add fresh strawberries or chocolate shavings as decoration.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Neapolitan Cake, Triple Flavor Cake, Vanilla Chocolate Strawberry Cake, Layer Cake, Classic Dessert
