If you adore the classic flavors of chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla, then this Neapolitan Cake is going to steal your heart and your palate. This delightful layered cake brings the iconic trio of tastes together in one show-stopping dessert that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just want to treat yourself, making a Neapolitan Cake from scratch allows you to enjoy fresh strawberry puree, rich chocolate, and smooth vanilla in every moist, tender bite. The careful layering and luscious buttercreams create a perfect harmony of flavors that feels indulgent yet comforting.

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients may be straightforward, but each plays an essential role in building the signature taste, texture, and gorgeous color palette of this Neapolitan Cake. From fresh strawberries to quality chocolate, every component is a small piece of the puzzle that makes this dessert shine.

Strawberry puree: Fresh strawberries reduced to concentrate flavor and deepen the pink color for vibrant layers and luscious frosting.
All purpose flour: The sturdy foundation that gives the cake structure without weighing it down.
Baking powder: Helps the layers rise to fluffy perfection for a light, tender crumb.
Salt: Enhances all the sweet flavors and balances the richness.
Unsalted butter: Adds creaminess and depth to both the cake and the buttercreams.
Vegetable oil: Keeps the cake moist and tender without a heavy texture.
Sugar: Sweetens all the layers and frostings to just the right degree.
Vanilla extract: Brings warmth and complexity to the vanilla layer and frostings.
Eggs: Provide structure and richness while helping the cake set beautifully.
Milk: Moisturizes the batter and balances texture across all three layers.
Strawberry extract and red food coloring: Amplify the strawberry layers for a striking look and distinct aroma.
Bittersweet chocolate and cocoa powder: For the rich chocolate cake layer and chocolate buttercream, adding depth and intensity.
Powdered sugar: Essential for smooth, fluffy buttercreams that frost the cake perfectly.
Heavy whipping cream: Used in ganache and to adjust frosting consistency for luscious finishes.
Semi sweet chocolate chips: Melted into ganache for a shiny, irresistible drizzle topping.

How to Make Neapolitan Cake

Step 1: Prepare the Strawberry Puree Reduction

Start by cooking down fresh strawberry puree gently on the stove until it thickens and reduces by half. This intensifies the fresh fruit flavor and concentrates the natural sweetness, which will add a brilliant pink hue and tangy brightness to the strawberry layer and frosting. Set this aside to cool before using.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

Combine the majority of the flour with baking powder and salt in a bowl. This mixture ensures even distribution of the leavening agent and seasoning throughout the batter, which is the foundation for each layer’s perfect rise and taste.

Step 3: Cream the Butter, Oil, Sugar, and Vanilla

Using a mixer, beat the butter, oil, sugar, and one tablespoon of vanilla extract until the mixture is pale and fluffy. This critical step incorporates air to create a light texture while blending the fat and sugar evenly for a smooth, tender crumb.

Step 4: Add Eggs One at a Time

Incorporate the eggs into the creamed mixture slowly, ensuring each one is mostly combined before adding the next. This gradual mixing maintains the emulsion and stability of the batter for that perfect lift in the oven.

Step 5: Alternate Adding Dry Ingredients and Milk

Begin folding in half of the dry ingredients, then add a spoonful of milk, mix until just combined, and finish with the rest of the dry ingredients. This alternating method keeps the batter smooth without overmixing, preserving air pockets for a light texture.

Step 6: Divide and Flavor the Batter

Separate the batter into three portions for each flavor. Gently fold in the strawberry puree, extract, and red food coloring into one portion for the strawberry layer, the vanilla extract into another for the vanilla layer, and melted bittersweet chocolate with cocoa powder into the last portion for the chocolate layer. These individual accents transform the plain batter into the iconic Neapolitan trio.

Step 7: Bake the Cake Layers

Pour each flavored batter evenly into prepared pans. Bake each layer until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few crumbs attached. Keep a close eye on baking times as the chocolate layer may require slightly longer. After baking, let the cakes cool completely before frosting.

Step 8: Make the Buttercreams

Prepare two types of buttercream frostings: a rich chocolate buttercream using cocoa powder and melted chocolate, and a smooth vanilla buttercream split into plain vanilla and strawberry variations. These frostings complement their matching cake layers, enhancing the cake’s flavor complexity and ensuring a creamy, luscious finish.

Step 9: Assemble the Neapolitan Cake

Level the cake layers carefully for a neat stack. Start by spreading chocolate buttercream on the bottom chocolate layer, then add the strawberry cake with strawberry buttercream, finishing with the vanilla layer topped with the vanilla buttercream. Smooth the sides by carefully piping and blending each corresponding colored frosting in vertical stripes to display the signature Neapolitan theme with elegant separation of flavors.

Step 10: Add the Chocolate Ganache and Final Touches

Make a silky ganache by pouring hot cream over the semi sweet chocolate chips, whisking until smooth and glossy. Drizzle this around the cake edges for a professional look. Pipe vanilla buttercream swirls on top and garnish with fresh strawberries for a delightful and decadent presentation.

How to Serve Neapolitan Cake

Garnishes

A fresh, inviting cake deserves equally lovely garnishes. Bright strawberries, delicate chocolate curls, or even a sprinkle of crushed freeze-dried strawberries add visual appeal and enhance flavor layers. Whipped cream rosettes can also add another light texture that pairs spectacularly with this cake.

Side Dishes

Serve your Neapolitan Cake alongside a simple mixed berry compote or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream to complement the layers harmoniously. Lightly sweetened whipped cream or coffee can also balance the cake’s richness beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

For a show-stopping effect, try serving individual slices with a drizzle of strawberry coulis or chocolate sauce. Alternatively, you can create mini version cakes or cupcakes using the same batter and frostings, which is perfect for parties or smaller gatherings.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your Neapolitan Cake tightly covered in the refrigerator to retain moisture and prevent the frosting from drying out. Properly stored, it will remain fresh for 3 to 4 days, ensuring you can savor every second of that wonderful flavor.

Freezing

This cake freezes well if wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil to protect it from freezer burn. Frozen slices or whole cakes can be kept for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving for best texture and flavor.

Reheating

Since this is a frosted layered cake, reheating is generally unnecessary. Instead, bring slices to room temperature before serving to enjoy the soft crumb and fluffy buttercreams in their best state.

FAQs

Can I use frozen strawberries for the puree?

Yes, you can substitute fresh with frozen strawberries. Just thaw them completely and drain any excess liquid before pureeing to avoid overly watery batter or frosting.

Is it possible to make this cake gluten-free?

Absolutely! Replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend, ensuring your blend contains xanthan gum or another binder for a similar texture to the original recipe.

Can I prepare the cake layers the day before assembling?

Definitely. Baking the layers a day ahead and wrapping them well in plastic wrap keeps them fresh and saves time on the day of assembly. Just bring them to room temperature before frosting.

What if I don’t have strawberry extract?

You can rely solely on the fresh strawberry puree and reduction for flavor, but adding a teaspoon of strawberry extract intensifies the aroma and taste, making the strawberry layer unmistakably vibrant.

How do I prevent the layers from bleeding into each other?

Applying chilled buttercream between layers and smoothing the sides with minimal strokes helps create clean, distinct bands of chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla. Chilling the cake slightly after assembling also helps hold the layers in place.

Final Thoughts

Making a Neapolitan Cake at home is such a rewarding experience—each slice is a joyful celebration of three timeless flavors working together in perfect harmony. With fresh ingredients and a little patience, this cake becomes a centerpiece that will impress everyone who tries it. So go ahead, dive into this luscious project and enjoy every delicious moment that Neapolitan Cake brings to your table!

Neapolitan Cake Recipe

★★★★★

5.2 from 19 reviews

Author: Ella
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Yield: 12–16 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

This Neapolitan Cake is a delightful layered dessert inspired by the classic Neapolitan ice cream flavors—strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate. It features moist, colorful cake layers infused with real strawberry puree, rich vanilla, and decadent chocolate, all wrapped in luscious buttercream frostings and topped with a glossy chocolate ganache drip and fresh strawberries. Perfect for celebrations or special occasions, this cake balances fruity, creamy, and chocolaty flavors with a stunning presentation.

Instructions

Prepare Strawberry Puree: Combine about 2 1/2 cups chopped strawberries to yield 1 1/4 cups puree in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently until the mixture reduces by half to about 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons, around 15 minutes. Cool to room temperature, reserving 2 tablespoons for the frosting.
Prepare Cake Pans and Preheat Oven: Line three 8-inch cake pans with parchment paper circles, grease the sides, and preheat your oven to 350°F (176°C).
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 3/4 cups (358g) of flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
Cream Butter, Oil, Sugar, and Vanilla: In a large mixer bowl, beat the butter, vegetable oil, sugar, and 1 tablespoon vanilla extract until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
Add Eggs: Add eggs one at a time into the creamed mixture, mixing after each addition and scraping the bowl as needed to ensure even incorporation.
Add Dry Ingredients and Milk, First Half: Add half of the dry ingredients and mix until mostly combined. Then add 1 tablespoon milk and mix just to combine.
Add Dry Ingredients and Milk, Remaining: Add the remaining dry ingredients and mix until combined. The batter will be thick; avoid over mixing.
Prepare Strawberry Layer Batter: Remove about 2 1/4 cups of batter into a separate bowl. Fold in 1 tablespoon milk, the reserved strawberry reduction for the cake, strawberry extract, and red food coloring gently. Add 2 tablespoons (16g) flour and fold to combine. Spread evenly in one prepared pan.
Prepare Vanilla Layer Batter: To the remaining batter, add 1 cup milk and fold to combine. Remove half (approx. 2 1/2 cups) into another bowl and fold in 2 tablespoons flour and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract. Pour into another prepared pan.
Prepare Chocolate Layer Batter: Melt the chopped bittersweet chocolate. Add melted chocolate and cocoa powder to the remaining batter and fold gently to combine. Spread evenly in the last cake pan.
Bake Cake Layers: Bake all layers for 23-28 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out with a few moist crumbs, noting chocolate layer may need slightly longer. Cool layers on racks after removing pans.
Make Chocolate Buttercream: Beat 1 cup butter until creamy. Add half powdered sugar and beat until smooth. Mix in cocoa powder, vanilla, 2 tablespoons water or cream, continue mixing. Add remaining powdered sugar and blend until smooth. Adjust consistency with water or cream, add salt, and set aside.
Make Vanilla & Strawberry Buttercream: Beat 2 1/2 cups butter until smooth. Add half the powdered sugar and beat well. Mix in vanilla and 2 tablespoons water or cream. Add remaining powdered sugar and beat until thick. Remove 2 cups to separate bowl, fold in strawberry reduction, strawberry extract, and salt, set aside. Adjust remaining vanilla frosting with water/cream and salt for spreading consistency.
Trim Cake Layers: Use a serrated knife to level cake tops by removing domes for flat stacking.
Assemble Cake Layers: Place chocolate cake on serving plate and spread 1 cup chocolate buttercream evenly. Top with strawberry cake layer and spread 1 cup strawberry buttercream. Finally, add vanilla cake layer and spread 1 cup vanilla buttercream on top.
Frost Cake Sides: Apply chocolate buttercream around chocolate layer, strawberry buttercream around strawberry layer, and vanilla buttercream around vanilla layer using spatula or piping bag. Smooth sides carefully with icing smoother to avoid bleeding colors. Smooth top layer evenly.
Prepare Chocolate Ganache: Place chocolate chips in a bowl. Heat heavy cream until just boiling and pour over chocolate. Let sit for 3-5 minutes, then whisk smooth.
Apply Ganache Drip: Drizzle ganache around cake edge using a squeeze bottle or spoon for a drip effect.
Decorate Cake Top: Use remaining vanilla buttercream to pipe swirls along top edge. Garnish with fresh strawberries.
Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the cake until ready to serve. For best texture and flavor, allow to come to room temperature before serving. Store covered for 3-4 days.

Notes

Reducing the strawberry puree beforehand intensifies the flavor and ensures the cake layers and frosting aren’t too watery.
Make sure not to over mix the batter once dry ingredients are added to keep the layers tender and light.
Allow cake layers to cool completely before frosting to avoid melting the buttercream.
Use an offset spatula or piping bag for neat, clean layer decorations.
This cake is best served at room temperature after refrigeration and is ideal for next-day serving.
Store the cake well covered in the refrigerator and consume within 3-4 days for optimal freshness.
Strawberry and vanilla extracts enhance the authentic flavor; do not omit.

Prep Time: 40 minutes
Cook Time: 28 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of cake)
Calories: 550 kcal
Sugar: 50 g
Sodium: 220 mg
Fat: 32 g
Saturated Fat: 18 g
Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
Trans Fat: 0.5 g
Carbohydrates: 58 g
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 5 g
Cholesterol: 110 mg

Keywords: Neapolitan cake recipe, strawberry cake, chocolate cake, vanilla cake, layered cake, buttercream frosting, chocolate ganache, homemade cake, dessert recipe