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Perfect Neapolitan Celebration Cake Recipe with Strawberry Vanilla Chocolate Layers Made Easy

Neapolitan Celebration Cake - featured image
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A vibrant and moist Neapolitan layer cake featuring distinct strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate layers with a creamy whipped cream and cream cheese frosting. Perfect for celebrations and easy enough for home bakers.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (315 g) all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ¾ cups (350 g) granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste
  • ¾ cup (180 ml) pureed fresh strawberries, strained
  • ½ cup (50 g) unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
  • 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream, cold
  • 1 ½ cups (180 g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • Fresh strawberries for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 8-inch cake pans, then line the bottoms with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, beat softened butter with granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 4-5 minutes.
  4. Beat in eggs one at a time, fully incorporating each before adding the next. Add vanilla bean paste.
  5. Add dry ingredients in three additions, alternating with milk, starting and ending with dry. Mix just until combined.
  6. Divide batter evenly into three bowls.
  7. Fold strawberry puree into one bowl for the strawberry layer.
  8. Leave one bowl as is for the vanilla layer.
  9. Sift cocoa powder into the third bowl and fold to combine for the chocolate layer.
  10. Pour each batter into prepared pans and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Rotate pans halfway through baking.
  11. Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely, about 45 minutes.
  12. Beat cream cheese until smooth. In a separate bowl, whip heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until soft peaks form. Fold whipped cream into cream cheese gently.
  13. Place strawberry layer on serving plate. Spread one-third of frosting over top. Repeat with vanilla and chocolate layers, finishing with frosting on top and sides.
  14. Chill cake for at least 1 hour to set frosting. Garnish with fresh strawberries or chocolate shavings if desired.

Notes

Use room temperature ingredients for smooth mixing. Do not overmix after adding flour to avoid toughness. Chill frosting if too soft before spreading. Level cake layers if domed for neat stacking. Rotate pans halfway through baking for even cooking. Use parchment paper for easy cake release. Fresh strawberry puree adds natural color and flavor. Can bake layers in batches if fewer pans are available.

Nutrition

Keywords: Neapolitan cake, strawberry cake, vanilla cake, chocolate cake, layered cake, celebration cake, easy cake recipe, cream cheese frosting

Find it online: https://milacook.com/perfect-neapolitan-celebration-cake-recipe-with-strawberry-vanilla-chocolate-layers-made-easy/