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Neapolitan Cake

Neopolitan Cake Recipe

Abby Marlow
This neopolitan cake is a dreamy trio of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry layers topped with colorful frostings. Perfect for celebrations and beginner bakers alike!
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Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12 servings
Calories 520 kcal

Ingredients
  

Strawberry Reduction:

  • 2 cups diced strawberries

Vanilla Cake Layer:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 2 large egg whites
  • ¼ cup vegetable oil
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ cup whole milk

Chocolate Cake Layer:

  • ⅔ cup all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 large egg
  • ¼ cup vegetable oil
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ cup whole milk

Strawberry Cake Layer:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 2 large egg whites
  • ¼ cup vegetable oil
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ cup whole milk
  • ½ cup strawberry reduction
  • 1 tsp strawberry emulsion

Vanilla Frosting:

  • ½ cup butter room temperature
  • ½ cup shortening
  • 1 tsp vanilla bean paste
  • 1 tbsp heavy cream
  • 2 cups powdered sugar

Chocolate Frosting:

  • ½ cup butter room temperature
  • ½ cup shortening
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp heavy cream
  • 1 ¾ cups powdered sugar
  • ¼ cup cocoa powder

Strawberry Frosting:

  • ½ cup butter room temperature
  • ½ cup shortening
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp heavy cream
  • 2 –3 tbsp strawberry reduction
  • 2 cups powdered sugar

Instructions
 

  • Blend strawberries and simmer to reduce to ½ cup. Chill completely.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour three 8-inch cake pans.
  • Make each cake batter separately by mixing dry and wet ingredients; add strawberry reduction to the strawberry batter.
  • Pour each batter into a separate pan and bake for 23–25 minutes.
  • Let layers cool completely; level the tops for stacking.
  • Make each frosting by whipping butter, shortening, sugar, and flavor additions until fluffy.
  • Layer chocolate, vanilla, then strawberry cakes, adding matching frosting between.
  • Crumb coat with vanilla frosting, chill, then decorate with all three frostings.

Notes

For smoother frosting, use room-temperature butter. Want a fruity twist? Swap in raspberry reduction for a tangy neopolitan cake variation.
Keyword Beginner Cake Recipe, homemade celebration cake, layered cake recipe, neopolitan cake, strawberry vanilla chocolate cake