Description
Delightful Neapolitan cake blends strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate layers into a symphony of flavors. Sweet memories bloom with each slice, inviting you to savor a classic dessert that celebrates culinary creativity.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Ingredients:
Dry Ingredients:
- 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 2.5 teaspoons baking powder
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 0.75 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
Flavor and Extract Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 0.25 cup strawberry puree
- 2 tablespoons freeze-dried strawberry powder
- 2.5 teaspoons vanilla extract
Frosting Ingredients:
- 1.5 cups unsalted butter, softened
- 6 cups powdered sugar
- 0.75 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the oven to 350F (175C) and ready three 8-inch round cake pans with grease and parchment paper.
- Carefully sift the dry ingredients in a separate mixing bowl, creating a uniform flour mixture.
- Cream the butter and sugar until achieving a light, airy texture, incorporating eggs individually and ensuring complete integration after each addition.
- Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, alternating with milk and maintaining a smooth, consistent batter.
- Separate the batter into three equal portions, dedicating each bowl to a distinct flavor profile: chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla.
- Infuse each batter section with its respective ingredient – cocoa powder for chocolate, strawberry puree for pink layer, and vanilla extract for the white layer.
- Transfer each flavored batter into its designated prepared pan, smoothing the surfaces with a spatula for even distribution.
- Bake the layers for 20-25 minutes, monitoring until a toothpick emerges clean when inserted into the center of each cake.
- Allow layers to cool completely on wire racks, ensuring total temperature reduction.
- Whip the butter until creamy, gradually incorporating powdered sugar and creating a silky smooth frosting.
- Adjust frosting consistency by adding milk and vanilla extract, achieving a spreadable texture.
- Construct the cake by layering chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry sections, spreading a thin frosting layer between each.
- Enrobe the entire cake with remaining frosting, creating a seamless, elegant exterior.
- Optionally decorate with additional garnishes or piped designs for visual appeal.
Notes
- Swap ingredients effortlessly to accommodate dietary needs like using gluten-free flour or dairy-free milk alternatives.
- Ensure precise measurements by leveling dry ingredients with a straight edge for consistent cake texture.
- Prevent strawberry layer from becoming soggy by gently patting strawberry puree with paper towels before mixing into batter.
- Enhance flavor complexity by adding a hint of almond extract or using fresh strawberry puree instead of store-bought version.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 34 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg