Neapolitan Cake Three Flavor Layers (Printable)
Classic triple-layer cake combining chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry bakers with rich buttercream frosting.
# What You Need:
→ Cake Base
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
# How To Make It:
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 in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla extract.
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 separate bowls.
06 - Mix cocoa powder and 3 tablespoons milk in a small bowl until smooth, then fold into one portion of batter.
07 - Fold chopped strawberries or puree, strawberry extract, and food coloring if using into the second portion.
08 - Leave the third portion as is for the 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 pans 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 for 30 minutes.
14 - Frost with remaining buttercream. Decorate as desired with sprinkles, strawberries, or chocolate shavings.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- You get three distinct flavors in every single slice, like having dessert options baked into one beautiful cake
- The buttercream is basically foolproof and pipes like a dream even if your decorating skills are questionable
02 -
- Room temperature ingredients combine more smoothly and prevent the batter from curdling
- Chilling the crumb coat for 30 minutes keeps the final frosting smooth and free of crumbs
03 -
- Weigh your batter portions to ensure perfectly even layers
- Wrap each layer individually in plastic before freezing for make-ahead convenience