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Neapolitan Cake

Neapolitan Cake
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Neapolitan Cake is a visually stunning and delicious layered dessert featuring three distinct flavors: chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. Each layer is rich, creamy, and smooth, perfectly blending classic ice cream-inspired tastes into a moist, fluffy baked cake. Easy to make and customizable, this cake is perfect for all occasions and is sure to impress with its vibrant colors and balanced textures.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup high-quality cocoa powder (for chocolate layer)

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 cup whole milk, at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for vanilla layer)
  • ¼ cup strawberry puree or 1 teaspoon strawberry extract (for strawberry layer)

Frosting

  • 1 ½ cups heavy cream or your choice of frosting (cream cheese frosting or whipped ganache optional)
  • Optional: almond milk and coconut oil as dairy-free substitutes

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Batter: Separate the base cake batter equally into three bowls. Add cocoa powder to one bowl for the chocolate layer, vanilla extract to the second for the vanilla layer, and strawberry puree or extract to the third for the strawberry layer. Mix each batter thoroughly until the colors and flavors are well combined.
  2. Bake the Layers: Pour each flavored batter into separate round cake pans or layer them carefully in one pan for a marbled effect. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool completely before assembling.
  3. Frost and Layer: Once cooled, spread a generous layer of frosting over the chocolate cake layer. Place the vanilla cake layer on top, add frosting again, then the strawberry cake layer. Finish by frosting the top and sides of the entire cake to create a smooth, neat appearance.
  4. Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the cake for at least one hour to allow the frosting to set and the layers to meld together beautifully. This step enhances the flavor combination and makes slicing easier.

Notes

  • Use cake strips or adjust batter amounts to ensure even layer thickness for the classic Neapolitan look.
  • Taste your batters before baking and adjust extracts or purees for a richer flavor.
  • Bring eggs, butter, and milk to room temperature before mixing to achieve a smoother batter.
  • Mix just until combined to keep the cake tender and fluffy.
  • Chill before slicing to solidify frosting and ensure clean slices.

Nutrition

Keywords: Neapolitan Cake, layered cake, chocolate vanilla strawberry cake, multi-flavored dessert, creamy cake

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