Name: Neapolitan Cake Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 ½ cups granulated sugar; 2 ½ tsp baking powder; ½ tsp salt; ¾ cup unsalted butter (softened); 4 large eggs (room temperature); 1 cup whole milk; ½ cup cocoa powder (unsweetened); 2 tsp strawberry extract

Jump to Recipe

If you’re someone who can never quite choose between chocolate, strawberry, or vanilla, let me introduce you to your new dessert obsession: Neapolitan Cake. This iconic cake layers velvety chocolate, fragrant strawberry, and classic vanilla into one gorgeous, sliceable masterpiece—each forkful a nostalgic trip through three favorite flavors. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday or just want to treat yourself and loved ones to something fun and delicious, this recipe brings both color and comfort to your table. Plus, it’s surprisingly simple to assemble and guaranteed to bring big smiles!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every bite of Neapolitan Cake is built on the foundation of simple, everyday ingredients. Each one does something special, bringing a unique note of taste, moisture, or color that makes this cake memorable. Here’s what you’ll need (and why they matter!):

All-purpose flour: The backbone of our cakes, providing structure while keeping the crumb light and tender.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens every layer so their flavors shine, no matter which slice you snag.
Baking powder: Ensures a lofty, fluffy rise—no dense or heavy cake on our watch.
Salt: Just a little brings out the best in all three flavors and keeps the cake from tasting flat.
Unsalted butter (softened): Adds rich flavor and helps create that melt-in-your-mouth texture everyone loves.
Eggs (room temperature): Bind everything together and give the cake its classic lightness.
Whole milk: Keeps the crumb extra moist—plus, it helps blend our flavors smoothly in the batter.
Cocoa powder (unsweetened): Delivers a deep, bold chocolate flavor without making the cake too sweet.
Strawberry extract: Just a touch is all you need for that instantly recognizable fruity layer.

How to Make Neapolitan Cake

Step 1: Prep Your Pans and Preheat

Start by getting your oven nice and hot—set it to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line three round cake pans (about 8-inch is perfect) with parchment paper. This keeps your beautiful Neapolitan Cake layers from sticking and makes assembly a breeze.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

Grab a medium bowl and whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Mixing your dry ingredients first ensures that everything gets evenly distributed, so each bite is tender and perfectly risen. Set this mixture aside—it’s ready for action!

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with the granulated sugar until the mixture is pale, light, and creamy. This step is where the magic begins: you’re creating air pockets that keep your cake fluffy. Don’t rush—give it a good 3-4 minutes!

Step 4: Add Eggs and Milk

Next, add your eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition—this ensures everything is emulsified beautifully. Once the eggs are in, slowly pour in the milk and beat to combine. Your batter should be silky and smooth at this stage.

Step 5: Combine and Divide the Batter

Gradually add the dry ingredient mix into your wet ingredients, beating just until combined. Overmixing can make the cake tough, so as soon as you see no more flour streaks, stop! Divide the batter evenly into three separate bowls. Leave one as-is (vanilla), mix cocoa powder into the second for chocolate, and stir the strawberry extract into the third. Now you’ve got your iconic Neapolitan Cake trio!

Step 6: Bake the Layers

Pour each colored batter into its prepared cake pan. Use a spatula to gently level the tops. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the centers spring back lightly and a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs—not wet batter. Rotate pans halfway for even baking if your oven has hot spots.

Step 7: Cool and Assemble

Let the cakes rest in their pans for about 10 minutes before turning them out onto wire racks to cool completely. Once cooled, stack the layers—traditionally chocolate on the bottom, vanilla in the middle, and strawberry on top—adding a generous slather of your favorite frosting in between. Frost the sides for a polished look, or leave them naked for a rustic vibe!

How to Serve Neapolitan Cake

Garnishes

Bring out the beauty of your Neapolitan Cake with garnishes that echo its flavors and colors: a flurry of rainbow sprinkles, a pile of fresh sliced strawberries, or some delicate chocolate curls. Even a final cloud of powdered sugar makes it look like it came straight out of a bakery window.

Side Dishes

Neapolitan Cake is show-stopping on its own, but a scoop of homemade vanilla or strawberry ice cream beside each slice sends the experience over the top. For a lighter touch, try serving with a handful of fresh berries or a dollop of whipped cream.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, slice the cake ahead of time and serve rainbow-style on a platter for a mosaic effect. For extra fun, cut the cake into cubes and skewer with fruit for Neapolitan Cake dessert kebabs, or build individual trifle jars with cubes of each layer stacked with cream.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Wrap leftover Neapolitan Cake slices tightly in plastic wrap or place in an airtight container, then refrigerate. Your cake will stay moist and flavorful for up to four days—it’s even better on day two as the flavors meld!

Freezing

To freeze, wrap individual cake layers or slices in plastic and then foil before sealing in a freezer-safe bag. They’ll keep fresh for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.

Reheating

If you love your Neapolitan Cake slightly warm, pop individual slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. This softens the cake and brings out the chocolate and strawberry aromas—just don’t overdo it, or you’ll melt the frosting!

FAQs

Can I use cake mix for Neapolitan Cake?

You can definitely use cake mix in a pinch—simply divide vanilla cake batter and add cocoa or strawberry extract to two portions. However, nothing beats the flavor and texture of this homemade version!

What kind of frosting works best?

A classic vanilla buttercream is foolproof and lets the layers shine, but cream cheese frosting, whipped ganache, or even a rich chocolate glaze can make your Neapolitan Cake extra special.

How do I prevent the layers from sliding?

Make sure your layers are completely cool and each is trimmed flat. Use a generous layer of frosting between cakes and refrigerate briefly after stacking to set everything before icing the outside.

Can I make Neapolitan Cake gluten-free?

Absolutely! Substitute the same amount of a good-quality gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and double-check that your other ingredients (like baking powder) are gluten-free as well.

Why is my cake dry?

Overbaking is the most common culprit. Check your cakes at the earliest recommended time, and use an oven thermometer to make sure your oven isn’t running hot. Also, be sure to measure flour with the spoon-and-level method for the best results.

Final Thoughts

Now you have everything you need to make your own celebration-worthy Neapolitan Cake at home. It’s colorful, nostalgic, and every layer delivers a hit of happiness—what could be better? Don’t wait for a special occasion to give it a try; sometimes, the best memories are made around the kitchen table, one bite at a time!

Neapolitan Cake Recipe

★★★★★

5.1 from 21 reviews

Author: Olivia
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 1 Neapolitan Cake 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Indulge in the sweet and colorful layers of this Neapolitan Cake, a delightful dessert that combines vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry flavors in each bite.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cake:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
2 ½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
¾ cup unsalted butter (softened)
4 large eggs (room temperature)
1 cup whole milk
½ cup cocoa powder (unsweetened)
2 tsp strawberry extract

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease three round cake pans.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
Cream Butter and Sugar: In another bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add Eggs and Milk: Beat in eggs one at a time, followed by milk. Gradually add dry ingredients until just combined.
Divide Batter: Divide batter into three bowls: leave one plain for vanilla; mix cocoa powder into the second for chocolate; add strawberry extract to the third.
Bake: Pour each batter into prepared pans and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Cool and Stack: Allow cakes to cool completely before stacking them with frosting between layers.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Italian