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Close up of a Neapolitan Cake slice showing the moist chocolate, pink strawberry, and white vanilla bean sponge layers.

Neapolitan Cake: The Ultimate Triple-Layer Showstopper with Strawberry Buttercream

A stunning three-layer Neapolitan Cake featuring moist chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla bean sponges, frosted with smooth strawberry buttercream and topped with whipped cream and dark chocolate shavings.
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Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes
Servings: 12 slices
Course: Cake, Desserts
Cuisine: American
Calories: 540
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cake and Frosting Components
  • 1.5 cups (180g) All-purpose flour Divided across layers
  • 0.5 cup (45g) Dutch-processed cocoa powder For chocolate layer
  • 0.5 cup (120ml) Strawberry puree Reduced from fresh berries
  • 1 tbsp (15ml) Vanilla bean paste For vanilla layer
  • 1.5 cups (360ml) Buttermilk Room temperature
  • 1.5 cups (340g) Unsalted butter Softened
  • 4 cups (500g) Powdered sugar Sifted
  • 1 whole Fresh red strawberry With stem for garnish
  • 0.25 cup (30g) Dark chocolate shavings High quality

Equipment

  • 3 8-inch round cake pans Greased and lined
  • 1 Offset spatula For smooth frosting
  • 1 Piping Bag with Star Tip For whipped cream swirl

Method
 

Layer Preparation
  1. Whisk flour, cocoa, sugar, and baking soda. Add buttermilk and oil. Pour into first 8-inch pan.
  2. Cream butter and sugar, add strawberry puree and pink coloring. Fold in dry ingredients and pour into second pan.
  3. Cream butter, sugar, and vanilla bean paste. Fold in egg whites and dry ingredients. Pour into third pan.
Baking and Assembly
  1. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
  2. Whip butter, powdered sugar, and strawberry reduction until smooth. Stack layers (chocolate, strawberry, vanilla) with frosting between.
  3. Pipe a whipped cream swirl on top, add one whole strawberry, and scatter chocolate shavings.

Notes

Chill the cake layers before assembly to ensure clean lines.
Use a hot, dry knife for perfect bakery-style slices.