Neapolitan Cake with Buttercream (Printable Version)
Three vibrant layers of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry cake with creamy buttercream frosting
# What You Need:
→ For the 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
→ For the Chocolate Layer
10 - ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
11 - 3 tablespoons milk
→ For the Strawberry Layer
12 - ½ cup finely chopped fresh strawberries or ¼ cup strawberry puree
13 - A few drops pink or red food coloring (optional)
14 - ½ teaspoon strawberry extract (optional)
→ For the Vanilla Layer
15 - No additional ingredients needed
→ For the Buttercream Frosting
16 - 1½ cups unsalted butter, softened
17 - 5 cups powdered sugar, sifted
18 - ¼ cup heavy cream or milk
19 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
20 - Pinch of salt
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla.
04 - Alternately add flour mixture and milk to the batter, starting and ending with flour. Mix until just combined.
05 - Divide the batter equally into three bowls.
06 - Mix cocoa powder and 3 tablespoons milk in a small bowl until smooth, then fold into one portion of batter.
07 - Fold in strawberries or puree, strawberry extract, and food coloring if using, into the second portion.
08 - Leave the third portion as is for vanilla layer.
09 - Pour each batter into its prepared pan. Smooth tops. Bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
10 - Allow cakes to cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
11 - Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and salt, mixing well. Add vanilla and cream; beat until fluffy.
12 - Trim cakes for even layers if necessary. Place chocolate layer on serving plate, spread buttercream. Repeat with strawberry and vanilla layers.
13 - Cover entire cake with thin crumb coat of frosting. Chill 30 minutes, then frost with remaining buttercream.
14 - Decorate as desired with sprinkles, strawberries, or chocolate shavings.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- You get three distinct flavors in every single slice, making each bite feel like a surprise.
- The colors alone make people gasp before they even taste it, and the nostalgia factor is unstoppable.
02 -
- Room temperature ingredients are not optional. They make or break your texture.
- Dividing batter equally matters more than you think. Uneven layers create structural drama.
03 -
- Invest in an offset spatula. It makes frosting sides ten times easier.
- If your strawberry layer feels too wet from fresh fruit, add an extra tablespoon of flour to that bowl.