Neapolitan Cake Recipe Loved by Thousands in 3 Layers
This Neapolitan cake combines the irresistible trio of vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry in a stunning layered masterpiece. Perfect for birthdays, celebrations, or anytime you crave a show-stopping dessert.
Equipment
- 6-inch cake pans
- Stand mixer with paddle attachment
- Mixing bowls
- Rubber spatula
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour 213g
- 1 cup granulated sugar 200g
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda heaping
- 1 teaspoon baking powder heaping
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter room temperature, 176g
- 3 egg whites
- 1/2 cup sour cream room temperature
- 1/2 cup milk room temperature
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 6 oz strawberries sliced, reduced and strained
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
For the Buttercreams
- 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
- 3 lb confectioners' sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature, 225g
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons strained strawberry preserves
- pink food coloring optional
- 1 splash whole milk
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease and flour three 6-inch cake pans.
- For the strawberry reduction, cook strawberries with lemon juice until soft, mash, simmer for 10 minutes, then strain and chill.
- In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking soda, and baking powder.
- In another bowl, combine butter, egg whites, sour cream, and milk until smooth.
- Combine wet and dry mixtures just until incorporated. Divide into three bowls.
- Add cocoa to one bowl, strawberry reduction to another, leave the third plain for vanilla layer.
- Bake each batter in a prepared pan for about 30 minutes. Strawberry may take 5–8 minutes longer.
- To prepare buttercream, whip butter until fluffy, gradually add sugar, then divide and flavor each batch (vanilla, chocolate, strawberry).
- Assemble layers by alternating cakes and piping buttercream petals around each tier.
- Smooth a crumb coat over the cake, then finish with decorative piping as desired.
Notes
The strawberry layer may take longer to bake. Use a toothpick to test. For stronger strawberry flavor, add more preserves to the frosting. The petal design requires more buttercream than a basic coat.