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Perfect Neapolitan Layer Cake Recipe with Three Easy Frostings

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A showstopping three-layer cake with chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry layers, each paired with its own matching frosting. This nostalgic dessert is tender, flavorful, and perfect for celebrations.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (310g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ¾ cups (350g) granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ⅓ cup (40g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ⅓ cup (80ml) hot water
  • ⅓ cup (75g) strawberry puree (from 6–8 strawberries, blended and strained)
  • 3–4 drops pink or red food coloring (optional)
  • 1 ½ cups (340g) unsalted butter, softened (for frostings, divided)
  • 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (for vanilla buttercream)
  • ¼ cup (30g) unsweetened cocoa powder (for chocolate buttercream)
  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk (for chocolate buttercream)
  • ¼ cup (60g) strawberry puree, reduced (for strawberry buttercream)
  • Pinch of salt (for each frosting)
  • 4 large egg whites (for Swiss meringue buttercream)
  • 1 cup (200g) sugar (for Swiss meringue buttercream)
  • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened (for Swiss meringue buttercream)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for Swiss meringue buttercream)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease three 8-inch round pans, line bottoms with parchment paper, and lightly flour sides.
  2. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.
  3. In a stand mixer, beat softened butter and sugar on medium speed for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Stir in vanilla.
  4. With mixer on low, add flour mixture in three additions, alternating with buttermilk, starting and ending with flour. Mix just until combined.
  5. Divide batter evenly into three bowls (about 1 ⅓ cups each).
  6. For chocolate layer: whisk cocoa powder with hot water until smooth, cool 2 minutes, then fold into one portion of batter.
  7. For strawberry layer: fold strawberry puree and food coloring (if using) into second portion of batter.
  8. Leave third portion as is for vanilla layer.
  9. Pour each batter into prepared pans. Bake 22-27 minutes, rotating halfway, until toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes, then turn onto wire rack to cool completely (at least 1 hour).
  10. For Swiss meringue buttercream: whisk egg whites and sugar in a heatproof bowl over simmering water until sugar dissolves and mixture reaches 160°F (71°C). Transfer to stand mixer with whisk attachment, whip on high until stiff peaks form and bowl is cool. Switch to paddle, add butter a few tablespoons at a time, then beat in vanilla and salt.
  11. For chocolate buttercream: beat ½ cup (113g) softened butter until creamy. Gradually add 1 ½ cups (180g) sifted powdered sugar and ¼ cup cocoa powder. Add 1 tablespoon heavy cream and ½ teaspoon vanilla. Beat until fluffy.
  12. For strawberry buttercream: beat ½ cup (113g) softened butter until creamy. Gradually add 1 ½ cups (180g) sifted powdered sugar. Beat in 2 tablespoons reduced strawberry puree and ½ teaspoon vanilla. Add a pinch of salt.
  13. Level cake layers if domed. Place chocolate layer on serving plate, spread chocolate buttercream on top. Add vanilla layer, spread strawberry buttercream. Top with strawberry layer.
  14. Apply thin crumb coat of Swiss meringue buttercream over entire cake. Refrigerate 20 minutes. Apply final thick layer of Swiss meringue buttercream, smoothing with offset spatula.

Notes

Room temperature ingredients are crucial for best texture. Bloom cocoa powder with hot water for deeper flavor. Chill cake between frosting layers for clean results. Cake can be made a day ahead; wrap layers tightly and refrigerate. For clean slices, dip knife in hot water between cuts.

Nutrition

Keywords: Neapolitan cake, layer cake, chocolate cake, vanilla cake, strawberry cake, birthday cake, three-layer cake, buttercream frosting, Swiss meringue buttercream

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