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Best Homemade Neapolitan Layer Cake Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 207 reviews
  • Author: Lila
  • Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This Best Homemade Neapolitan Layer Cake recipe offers a delightful combination of vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry layers, all layered and frosted with a creamy buttercream. Perfectly balanced with rich cocoa, fresh strawberry flavor, and classic vanilla, this cake is ideal for celebrations or simply indulging in a colorful, flavorful treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake Batter

  • 3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ cups (360ml) buttermilk, room temperature
  • ⅓ cup (40g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 3 tablespoons hot water
  • 1 cup (30g) freeze-dried strawberries, ground to powder
  • 3 tablespoons strawberry puree

Buttercream Frosting

  • 2 cups (452g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 6 cups (720g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • ¼ cup (60ml) heavy cream
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

Optional Garnishes

  • ½ cup chocolate shavings
  • Fresh strawberries, halved
  • Additional freeze-dried strawberry powder for dusting

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease three 8-inch round cake pans, line the bottoms with parchment paper, and lightly dust the sides with flour to prevent sticking.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined.
  3. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Remember to scrape down the sides halfway through for even mixing.
  4. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to incorporate fully. Stir in the vanilla extract for flavor.
  5. Combine Batter: Alternately add the flour mixture and buttermilk to the butter mixture in three additions, starting and ending with the flour mixture. Mix just until combined to ensure a tender crumb.
  6. Divide Batter: Divide the total batter evenly into three portions, approximately 500g each.
  7. Prepare Chocolate Layer: Whisk the cocoa powder with hot water until smooth, then fold this chocolate mixture into one portion of the batter.
  8. Prepare Strawberry Layer: Mix the ground freeze-dried strawberry powder with strawberry puree to create a paste, then fold this into the second portion of the batter.
  9. Prepare Vanilla Layer: Keep the third portion of batter plain for the vanilla layer without any additions.
  10. Bake Cake Layers: Pour each batter portion into the prepared pans and spread evenly. Bake for 22-28 minutes, rotating pans halfway through baking to ensure even cooking. After baking, cool the cakes in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
  11. Make Buttercream Frosting: Beat the softened butter on medium speed until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar one cup at a time, beating on low speed after each addition. Add heavy cream, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Increase speed to medium-high and beat for 3-4 minutes until the frosting is light and fluffy.
  12. Assemble the Cake: Place one cooled cake layer on your serving plate and spread approximately ¾ cup of frosting evenly on top. Repeat with the remaining layers. Apply a thin crumb coat over the assembled cake and refrigerate for 20 minutes to set the crumb coat.
  13. Final Frosting and Decorate: Apply the remaining frosting smoothly over the chilled cake. Decorate with chocolate shavings, fresh halved strawberries, and dust with additional freeze-dried strawberry powder if desired to add color and flavor.

Notes

  • Make sure all ingredients, especially eggs and buttermilk, are at room temperature to ensure smooth batter and even baking.
  • When folding in the cocoa and strawberry mixtures, be gentle to maintain the batter’s lightness.
  • Chilling the cake after the crumb coat helps prevent crumbs from mixing into the final frosting layer for a perfect finish.
  • Optionally, use different berries or fruit purees for variation in the fruity layer.
  • Freeze-dried strawberry powder can be made by grinding freeze-dried strawberries in a food processor or purchased online or at specialty stores.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: Neapolitan cake, layered cake, strawberry cake, chocolate cake, vanilla cake, homemade cake, buttercream frosting, celebration cake

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Find it online: https://plumandpan.com/best-homemade-neapolitan-layer-cake-recipe/