Neapolitan Layer Cake

Recipes

Neapolitan Layer Cake Recipe

Ingredients:

Cake:
  • 1 cup strawberry puree (from 2 cups [280g] of strawberries)
  • 3 cups (390g) all-purpose flour, divided
  • 3 tsp baking powder
  • 3/4 tsp salt
  • 10 tbsp (140g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup + 2 tbsp (150ml) vegetable oil
  • 2 cups (414g) sugar
  • 1 tbsp + 1/2 tsp vanilla extract, divided
  • 5 large eggs
  • 1 cup + 2 tbsp (270ml) milk, divided
  • 1 tsp strawberry extract
  • 10 drops red food coloring
  • 2.5 oz (70g) bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp (14g) unsweetened cocoa powder
Chocolate Frosting:
  • 1 cup (224g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 1/2 cups (403g) powdered sugar
  • 1/2 cup (57g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 4-5 tbsp (60-75ml) heavy cream or water
  • 1/4 tsp salt
Vanilla & Strawberry Frostings:
  • 1/4 cup strawberry puree (from 1/2 cup [70g] of strawberries)
  • 2 1/2 cups (560g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 10 cups (1150g) powdered sugar
  • 2 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 4-6 tbsp (60-90ml) water or cream
  • 3/4 tsp strawberry extract
  • A pinch or two of salt
Chocolate Ganache:
  • 3 oz (85g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) heavy cream

Instructions:

  1. Reduce Strawberry Puree: Cook puree over medium heat until reduced by half, about 15 minutes. Cool to room temperature.
  2. Prepare Cake Pans: Line three 8-inch cake pans with parchment and grease. Preheat oven to 350°F (176°C).
  3. Mix Dry Ingredients: Whisk together 2 3/4 cups flour, baking powder, and salt.
  4. Cream Butter Mixture: Beat butter, oil, sugar, and 1 tbsp vanilla until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in half the dry ingredients and 1 tbsp milk.
  5. Divide Batter: Separate 2 1/4 cups batter for strawberry layer, mix with remaining milk, strawberry puree, extract, and coloring. Add 2 tbsp flour. Spread into a pan. For vanilla layer, fold in 2 tbsp flour and 1/2 tsp vanilla into half the remaining batter and spread into a pan. For chocolate layer, melt chocolate, mix with remaining batter, cocoa powder, and spread into the final pan.
  6. Bake: 23-28 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.
  7. Make Frostings: Prepare chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry frostings by beating butter, then gradually adding powdered sugar, and respective flavorings. Adjust consistency with cream or water.
  8. Assemble Cake: Stack layers with respective frostings between them. Smooth sides with icing or piping bags.
  9. Prepare Ganache: Heat cream, pour over chocolate chips, whisk until smooth. Drizzle over cake.
  10. Decorate and Serve: Pipe vanilla buttercream swirls on top, garnish with strawberries. Refrigerate until serving. Enjoy within 3-4 days, best served at room temperature.

This Neapolitan cake combines the classic flavors of strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate in a visually stunning and deliciously layered cake, perfect for any special occasion.