Perfect Neapolitan Layer Cake: Easy 3-Flavor Recipe
A stunning three-layer cake featuring strawberry, chocolate, and vanilla flavors, all in one beautiful dessert. This crowd-pleasing recipe is surprisingly simple to make and perfect for celebrations.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- For the Vanilla Layer: 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- For the Vanilla Layer: 1 cup granulated sugar
- For the Vanilla Layer: ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- For the Vanilla Layer: 2 large eggs, room temperature
- For the Vanilla Layer: ½ cup whole milk
- For the Vanilla Layer: 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- For the Vanilla Layer: 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- For the Vanilla Layer: ¼ teaspoon salt
- For the Chocolate Layer: 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- For the Chocolate Layer: 1 cup granulated sugar
- For the Chocolate Layer: ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- For the Chocolate Layer: 2 large eggs, room temperature
- For the Chocolate Layer: ½ cup whole milk
- For the Chocolate Layer: ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- For the Chocolate Layer: 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- For the Chocolate Layer: 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- For the Chocolate Layer: ¼ teaspoon salt
- For the Strawberry Layer: 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- For the Strawberry Layer: 1 cup granulated sugar
- For the Strawberry Layer: ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- For the Strawberry Layer: 2 large eggs, room temperature
- For the Strawberry Layer: ½ cup whole milk
- For the Strawberry Layer: ⅓ cup freeze-dried strawberry powder
- For the Strawberry Layer: 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- For the Strawberry Layer: 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- For the Strawberry Layer: ¼ teaspoon salt
- For the Strawberry Layer: 2-3 drops pink food coloring (optional)
- For the Vanilla Buttercream Frosting: 1 ½ cups unsalted butter, softened
- For the Vanilla Buttercream Frosting: 4 cups powdered sugar
- For the Vanilla Buttercream Frosting: 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- For the Vanilla Buttercream Frosting: 2-3 tablespoons heavy cream
- For the Vanilla Buttercream Frosting: Pinch of salt
- For Decoration: ½ cup fresh strawberries, sliced
- For Decoration: ¼ cup chocolate shavings
- For Decoration: Sprinkles or edible glitter (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease three 8-inch round cake pans and line bottoms with parchment paper.
- Make the vanilla layer: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes). Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Mix in vanilla. Gradually add dry ingredients alternating with milk, starting and ending with flour. Mix until just combined. Pour into one prepared pan.
- Make the chocolate layer: In the same large bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Add dry ingredients to wet mixture alternating with milk. Spread into second prepared pan.
- Make the strawberry layer: Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla. Whisk together flour, freeze-dried strawberry powder, baking powder, and salt. Add dry ingredients to wet mixture alternating with milk. Add food coloring if using. Pour into third pan.
- Bake all three layers for 20-25 minutes, rotating pans halfway through. Cakes are done when a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a cooling rack. Remove parchment and cool completely.
- Make the buttercream: Beat softened butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating on low. Add vanilla and salt. Add heavy cream one tablespoon at a time until spreadable. Beat on medium-high for 2 minutes until fluffy.
- Assemble the cake: Place vanilla layer on serving plate. Spread generous layer of buttercream on top. Add strawberry layer, then more frosting. Top with chocolate layer. Apply thin crumb coat and refrigerate 15 minutes. Apply final coat of frosting.
- Decorate with fresh strawberry slices, chocolate shavings, and optional sprinkles or edible glitter.
Notes
Room temperature ingredients are crucial for proper creaming. Cool layers completely before frosting to prevent melting. A crumb coat helps achieve a clean final finish. For gluten-free, use a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. For dairy-free, use vegan butter and oat milk.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of cak
- Calories: 485
- Sugar: 38
- Sodium: 310
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 17
- Carbohydrates: 56
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 5
Keywords: Neapolitan cake, layer cake, strawberry chocolate vanilla, birthday cake, celebration cake, three flavor cake