Introduction
Do you remember the sheer excitement of opening a carton of Neapolitan ice cream and trying to scoop perfectly balanced ribbons of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry onto a single spoon? That nostalgic thrill is exactly what I wanted to capture when I set out to create the best Neapolitan cake recipe for my daughter Jana’s ninth birthday. Growing up in Texas, my grandmother used to say that the best things in life come in threes, usually referring to her famous BBQ rubs, but I think this Neapolitan Layer Cake with Strawberry Frosting proves her right in the sweetest way possible. This isn’t just a dessert; it is a celebration of harmony and family connection. Whether you are a seasoned baker or looking for an easy three flavor cake to impress guests, this recipe brings everyone to the table. Grab your apron and let’s make some memories!
For my wife Emily and me, baking is the heartbeat of our home. When the house smells like cocoa and fresh berries, Adams and Jana always find their way into the kitchen to ‘help,’ which usually means licking the beaters. This homemade Neapolitan cake chocolate vanilla strawberry sensation is a three layer cake chocolate vanilla strawberry masterpiece that looks like it came from a professional bakery, yet it feels like home. We are going to walk through this step by step Neapolitan cake assembly together, ensuring you get those perfect striped frosting layer cake results that will have your family asking for seconds.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Why You’ll Love This Neapolitan Layer Cake with Strawberry Frosting
- Ingredients for Neapolitan Layer Cake with Strawberry Frosting
- How to Make Neapolitan Layer Cake with Strawberry Frosting
- Pro Tips & Variations
- Neapolitan Layer Cake with Strawberry Frosting Serving Suggestions
- Neapolitan Layer Cake with Strawberry Frosting Storage & Reheating
- FAQ about Neapolitan Layer Cake with Strawberry Frosting
- Final Thoughts
Why You’ll Love This Neapolitan Layer Cake with Strawberry Frosting
- Visual Wow Factor: The Neapolitan cake inside out layers create a stunning surprise when you cut the first slice. It is a decorated Neapolitan cake that looks sophisticated but remains approachable for the home cook.
- Triple Flavor Harmony: You don’t have to choose between rich chocolate, classic vanilla, and fruity strawberry. This Neapolitan ice cream inspired cake delivers all three in every bite.
- Ultimate Texture: By using a mix of cake flour and buttermilk, we achieve a crumb that is tender and moist, comparable to a professional Neapolitan cake decorator result.
- Naturally Flavored Frosting: This recipe utilizes a homemade strawberry reduction cake method for the buttercream, ensuring a best strawberry frosting for layer cake experience without artificial aftertastes.
- Kid Approved: As my son Adams says, it’s like three cakes in one. It is the perfect centerpiece for a birthday or a Valentines sweets charcuterie board recipe.
- Versatile Occasions: From summer garden parties to cozy winter birthdays, this classic Neapolitan recipe fits any season perfectly.
Ingredients for Neapolitan Layer Cake with Strawberry Frosting
Before we start, ensure all your refrigerated items like eggs and butter are at room temperature. This is the secret to a smooth batter. We will be using all purpose flour and cake flour to get the perfect structural balance. While some recipes use strawberry jam, we are going for gold with a strawberry puree reduction.
- Cake Flour and All Purpose Flour: A blend provides the perfect soft crumb.
- Unsalted Butter: Quality matters here for that rich flavor.
- Granulated Sugar: For the perfect sweetness level.
- Eggs: Provide lift and structure to our multi layer cake decoration.
- Buttermilk: Adds a slight tang and incredible moisture.
- Vanilla Extract and Strawberry Extract: To deepen the aromatic profile.
- Cocoa Powder: Use Dutch processed for a darker, richer chocolate layer.
- Fresh Strawberries: These will be processed into a strawberry puree for the frosting and cake.
- Powdered Sugar: The base for our buttercream frosting three flavors.
- Baking Powder and Soda: Our essential leavening agents.
- Freeze dried strawberry powder: An optional niche keyword ingredient for extra color and punch.
How to Make Neapolitan Layer Cake with Strawberry Frosting
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Base Batter: Start by creaming your softened butter and sugar in a large bowl until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes about five minutes. Add your eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in your vanilla extract. Once combined, alternate adding your dry ingredients and buttermilk, starting and ending with the flour.
- Divide and Conquer: Divide the batter evenly into three separate bowls. This is where the homemade Neapolitan cake recipe magic happens. Keep one bowl as your classic vanilla. In the second bowl, gently fold in your cocoa powder and a splash of milk to create the chocolate layer. In the third bowl, stir in your strawberry reduction and a drop of pink food coloring if you want that vibrant Neapolitan ice cream cake look.
- Baking the Layers: Pour each batter into prepared 8 inch cake pans. Bake in a preheated oven until a toothpick comes out clean. The smell in your kitchen right now will be heavenly. While the cakes cool, prepare your strawberry puree reduction cake base by simmering fresh berries until they thicken.
- Making the Strawberry Frosting: Whip your butter until smooth, then slowly add powdered sugar. Incorporate your cooled strawberry reduction. For a Swiss meringue buttercream Neapolitan style, you can use egg whites, but a standard American cream cheese frosting layers style is often easier for beginners. If you want a fun twist, try incorporating elements from my strawberry cheesecake stuffed eggrolls recipe ideas for a richer filling.
- The Layer Cake Assembly: Place the chocolate layer on your cake stand. Apply a layer of frosting. Top with the vanilla layer, more frosting, and finally the strawberry layer. This step by step Neapolitan cake assembly ensures the colors pop when sliced. Apply a thin Neapolitan crumb coating technique layer first, chill for 30 minutes, and then finish with the final decorated three layer cake with strawberry design.
- Decorating: Use a pulled dot Neapolitan frosting technique around the edges for a professional look. You can even top the cake with some perfect meringue kisses recipe treats to add height and texture.
Pro Tips & Variations
If you are baking at a higher altitude, remember to look up Neapolitan cake high altitude baking adjustments, which usually involve slightly increasing the flour and liquid components. For those with dietary restrictions, a vegan Neapolitan layer cake is easily achievable by substituting flax eggs, plant based butter, and dairy free Neapolitan frosting made with coconut cream or vegan shortening. According to experts at For the Love of Gourmet, keeping the layers chilled before assembly is the best way to prevent sliding. You can also experiment with freeze dried strawberry powder frosting for a concentrated flavor without adding extra liquid. If you want a more festive feel, consider a Neapolitan cake tier decorating approach for larger parties.
Neapolitan Layer Cake with Strawberry Frosting Serving Suggestions
This how to make three layer Neapolitan cake guide wouldn’t be complete without the perfect pairings. Serve a slice alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream to lean into the Neapolitan ice cream cake theme. For a brunch gathering, it pairs wonderfully with a fresh fruit salad or even some pink chocolate dipped strawberries recipe platters. If you are serving this at a party, consider adding a side of heart shaped sugar cookies recipe treats to the dessert table for extra variety.
Neapolitan Layer Cake with Strawberry Frosting Storage & Reheating
To keep your Neapolitan layer cake with strawberry frosting recipe creation fresh, store it in an airtight cake carrier in the refrigerator for up to five days. Because of the strawberry cake recipe components in the frosting, it stays moist longer than traditional cakes. If you want to freeze it, wrap individual slices in plastic wrap and then foil. When you are ready for a treat, let the slice sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes to soften the buttercream. Avoid the microwave as it will melt your beautiful decorative cake layers.
FAQ about Neapolitan Layer Cake with Strawberry Frosting
How do I get perfectly even layers for my Neapolitan cake?
Using a kitchen scale to weigh your batter bowls is the most reliable method. This ensures each of your chocolate cake layers and vanilla layers are identical in height. Also, using damp cake strips around your pans helps them bake flat.
Can I use frozen strawberries for the frosting?
Yes! Frozen strawberries work perfectly for a strawberry reduction. Just make sure to simmer them long enough to cook off the excess water so your best strawberry frosting for layer cake doesn’t become runny.
Is this an easy Neapolitan layer cake tutorial for beginners?
Absolutely. While it has three layers, the base batter is the same. By following this easy Neapolitan layer cake tutorial, you are essentially making one big batch of batter and simply flavoring the sections. It is a great way to practice multi layer cake decoration.
Final Thoughts
Baking this Neapolitan Layer Cake with Strawberry Frosting always reminds me that while we all have different tastes, like the distinct layers of this cake, we come together to make something beautiful. Seeing Jana’s face light up when she saw the strawberry frosting cake layers was a highlight of my year. I hope this recipe brings that same joy to your home. Please leave a comment and tell me which layer is your favorite, and don’t forget to save this to your Pinterest boards! For more inspiration, check out the techniques at Bigger Bolder Baking to see how they handle their layers. Happy baking!
Neapolitan Layer Cake with Strawberry Frosting
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a small saucepan, combine the chopped strawberries and granulated sugar over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 10-15 minutes until the mixture thickens and reduces to about 1/2 cup. Transfer to a bowl and let cool completely. This will be used for the strawberry layer and frosting.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 8-inch round cake pans.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Mix in vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk to the butter mixture, starting and ending with dry ingredients. Beat until just combined.
- Divide batter equally into three bowls (about 2.5 cups each). Keep one bowl plain for vanilla.
- To the second bowl, gently fold in cocoa powder and 2-3 tbsp milk if needed for consistency. For the third bowl, fold in strawberry puree and strawberry extract if using. Add a drop of pink food coloring if desired.
- Pour each batter into the prepared pans: vanilla in one, chocolate in another, strawberry in the third.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until creaming. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating on low speed.
- Add cooled strawberry reduction, beating until fluffy. Adjust consistency with more powdered sugar or a splash of milk if needed.
- Place the chocolate layer on a serving plate. Spread a thin layer of frosting over it.
- Top with vanilla layer, more frosting, then strawberry layer.
- Apply a crumb coat (thin layer of frosting) over the entire cake. Chill for 30 minutes.
- Spread the remaining frosting evenly over the chilled cake. Decorate as desired, perhaps with pulled dots or fresh berries.
