The Ultimate Homemade Neapolitan Cake for Celebrations

If there’s one dessert that makes me feel like a kid again, it’s Neapolitan cake. I remember seeing that perfect trio of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry layers at birthday parties, each slice looking like a piece of edible joy. This cake is a nostalgic nod to the famous Neapolitan ice cream, blending all three flavors into a soft, moist, and beautifully layered treat.

This cake fits anywhere, birthdays, holidays, or just when you want to bring a little color and cheer to your weekend baking. It’s the kind of dessert that looks like you spent all day making it, but with the right steps, you’ll see it’s simpler than it seems.

Recipe Card

Neapolitan Cake Recipe

Recipe by Soukayna

0.0 from 0 votes

Course: DessertCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Medium

Servings

12

servings

Prep time

30

minutes

Cooking time

30

minutes

Calories

450

kcal

This Neapolitan cake combines three classic flavors, chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry, into one stunning dessert. Perfect for birthdays, holidays, or whenever you need a show-stopping treat.

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Ingredients

• 2.5 cups all-purpose flour

• 2 tsp baking powder

• 0.5 tsp salt

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1.75 cups granulated sugar

• 4 large eggs

• 1 cup whole milk

• 2 tsp vanilla extract

• 2 tbsp cocoa powder

• 0.25 cup strawberry puree (fresh or frozen strawberries blended)

• Pink gel food coloring (optional)

• For the frosting:

• 1.25 cups unsalted butter, softened

• 3 cups powdered sugar

• 2 tbsp heavy cream or milk

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions

• Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line three round cake pans with parchment paper.
• Cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing until smooth. Stir in vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Alternate adding dry ingredients with milk, beginning and ending with dry ingredients.
• Divide the batter evenly into three bowls. In one bowl, mix in the cocoa powder for the chocolate layer. In another, fold in the strawberry puree and a small drop of pink food coloring if you want a more vibrant color. Leave the third bowl plain for the vanilla layer.
• Pour each batter into its pan and bake for about 25 to 30 minutes. Let the cakes cool completely before stacking.
• For the frosting, beat the butter until creamy, then slowly add powdered sugar. Add cream and vanilla extract until fluffy. Stack the layers, chocolate first, vanilla second, and strawberry on top, spreading frosting between each. Frost the outside smoothly or with rustic swirls for a homemade look.
• Refrigerate the cake for at least 30 minutes before slicing for the cleanest layers.

Notes

• Avoid overmixing, it makes the cake dense instead of tender.
• Don’t skip the chilling step before slicing; it ensures clean layers.
• For a deeper strawberry flavor, roast the strawberries before pureeing.

Nutrition Facts

• Fat: 21g
• Saturated Fat: 13g
• Sodium: 240mg
• Carbohydrates: 58g
• Sugar: 38g
• Protein: 6g

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What Makes This Neapolitan Cake So Special

There are hundreds of Neapolitan cake recipes out there, but this one checks every box: it’s light, flavorful, and perfectly balanced between the three classic flavors. Each layer stands out yet harmonizes beautifully in one bite. The texture stays moist for days, and the flavors deepen as it rests, just like a good homemade cake should.

What makes this version stand out:

• The batter is all made in one bowl, then divided for easy layering, no need to make three separate cakes.
• Each layer uses real ingredients: melted chocolate for the chocolate layer, strawberry puree for the pink one, and pure vanilla extract for the base.
• The frosting ties everything together with a creamy vanilla buttercream that complements the flavors rather than overpowering them.

You can easily make this Neapolitan cake dairy-free by substituting plant-based butter and milk, or turn it gluten-free using a high-quality 1:1 flour blend.

For frosting techniques and decorating inspiration, check out King Arthur Baking’s guide to cake frosting. It’s a fantastic visual resource.

The Flavor Story Behind Neapolitan Cake

What makes the Neapolitan cake so timeless is its combination of three distinct yet harmonious flavors, chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. Each has its own personality, but when layered together, they tell a story of balance and nostalgia.

The concept dates back to the nineteenth century when Italian immigrants introduced layered gelato flavors to the United States. Inspired by the tricolor of the Italian flag, early versions often included pistachio, vanilla, and cherry before eventually evolving into the more familiar trio we know today.

The Neapolitan cake is a sweet tribute to that cultural fusion, a dessert that feels both classic and playful. Chocolate brings depth, vanilla offers lightness, and strawberry adds fruitiness and a touch of color. When baked together, these flavors create a dessert that feels like a celebration of contrasts, just like the original ice cream that inspired it.

If you’re a curious food history lover, this Taste Atlas article about Italian desserts beautifully explores how regional influences shaped some of the world’s favorite sweets.

Pro Tips for Success

Delicious Twists on the Classic Neapolitan Cake

Mini Neapolitan Cupcakes

Make individual-sized portions using the same batter divided among lined muffin tins. Bake for about 18 minutes, then swirl each with a small dollop of frosting in all three colors. Perfect for parties and bake sales.

Neapolitan Loaf Cake

For a simpler presentation, bake all three layers in a loaf pan. It’s great for afternoon tea or when you crave a smaller batch version of the traditional cake.

Chocolate-Strawberry Neapolitan Cake

If you want to lean into bold flavor, skip the vanilla layer and go for two-tone layers of chocolate and strawberry. This combination makes each flavor more pronounced while keeping the cake visually stunning.

Neapolitan Ice Cream Cake

Transform this recipe into a frozen dessert. Layer the baked cake with softened ice cream in matching flavors and freeze overnight. It’s a fun summer twist that echoes the dessert’s original inspiration.

If you like baking multi-layered treats, try my Mounds Cake Recipe Copycat or chantilly cake recipe, it follows similar layering principles with a different flavor profile.

Your Baking Questions Answered

Final Thoughts: A Sweet Slice of Joy

Making a Neapolitan cake at home feels like creating a celebration in layers. Each bite delivers a little nostalgia, a lot of flavor, and plenty of love. Whether you’re baking it for a special occasion or simply to brighten your week, this cake proves that simple ingredients can make the most memorable desserts.