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Easy Homemade Tri-Layer Neapolitan Cake with Vanilla Buttercream

Close-up of a slice of Neapolitan cake showing distinct vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate layers.
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Create a stunning celebration cake featuring the classic trio of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry flavors in distinct layers. This recipe delivers approachable elegance for your next gathering.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon strawberry extract
  • Pink food coloring (optional)
  • 1 cup powdered sugar (for frosting)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
  • 2 tablespoons milk (for frosting)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 6-inch round cake pans.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla extract.
  4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, mixing until just combined.
  5. Divide the batter evenly into three separate bowls.
  6. In the first bowl, whisk in the cocoa powder until you have the chocolate batter.
  7. In the second bowl, mix in the strawberry extract and a few drops of pink food coloring until you achieve a light pink color for the strawberry batter.
  8. Leave the third bowl as the vanilla batter.
  9. Pour each colored batter into its own prepared cake pan.
  10. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
  11. Prepare the vanilla buttercream: Beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk until the frosting is smooth and spreadable.
  12. Once the cakes are completely cool, place the chocolate layer on a serving plate. Spread a layer of buttercream on top.
  13. Place the strawberry layer on top of the chocolate layer and spread with more buttercream.
  14. Top with the vanilla layer. Frost the top and sides of the entire cake with the remaining vanilla buttercream.
  15. Slice and serve your colorful celebration cake.

Notes

  • For the most distinct layers, use gel food coloring for the strawberry batter to achieve a bright, vibrant pink.
  • You can substitute the strawberry extract with 1 tablespoon of strawberry puree for a more natural flavor, adjusting the liquid slightly if the batter becomes too thin.
  • This triple flavor cake is excellent served slightly chilled.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.unfoldrecipes.com/neapolitan-cake-recipe-easy-tri-layer/