Neapolitan Cake Chocolate Vanilla Strawberry (Printable)
Vibrant three-layer cake with chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry flavors finished with smooth buttercream frosting.
# What You'll Need:
→ Cake Layers
01 - 2¾ cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2½ teaspoons baking powder
03 - ½ teaspoon baking soda
04 - ¼ teaspoon salt
05 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
06 - 2 cups granulated sugar
07 - 4 large eggs
08 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
09 - 1¼ cups whole milk
→ Chocolate Layer
10 - ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
11 - 3 tablespoons milk
→ Strawberry Layer
12 - ½ cup finely chopped fresh strawberries or ¼ cup strawberry puree
13 - Pink or red food coloring (optional)
14 - ½ teaspoon strawberry extract (optional)
→ Buttercream Frosting
15 - 1½ cups unsalted butter, softened
16 - 5 cups powdered sugar, sifted
17 - ¼ cup heavy cream or milk
18 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
19 - Pinch of salt
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
02 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
03 - Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla extract.
04 - Alternate adding flour mixture and milk to the batter, starting and ending with flour. Mix until just combined.
05 - Divide batter equally into three bowls. For chocolate layer, mix cocoa powder and 3 tablespoons milk until smooth, then fold into one portion. For strawberry layer, fold in strawberries or puree, extract, and coloring if desired. Leave third portion as vanilla layer.
06 - Pour each batter into prepared pans. Smooth tops and bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
07 - Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
08 - Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and salt, mixing well. Add vanilla and cream; beat until fluffy.
09 - Trim cakes for even layers if necessary. Place chocolate layer on serving plate, spread buttercream. Repeat with strawberry and vanilla layers.
10 - Cover entire cake with thin crumb coat of frosting. Chill 30 minutes, then frost with remaining buttercream. Decorate as desired with sprinkles, strawberries, or chocolate shavings.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The nostalgia factor is undeniable, reminding everyone of childhood trips to the ice cream parlor
- Three distinct flavors in one cake means everyone gets their favorite slice
- The visual impact of those striped layers is absolutely showstopping
02 -
- Room temperature ingredients are essential for proper emulsification and even baking
- Overmixing the batter will make your cake tough, so stop as soon as flour disappears
- A crumb coat might feel like an extra step, but it guarantees that gorgeous professional finish
03 -
- Weigh your batter portions to ensure perfectly even layers—each pan should get about 14 ounces
- If your strawberries are especially juicy, reduce the milk in that layer slightly to prevent sinking