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30-Minute Easy Neapolitan Layer Cake Recipe

30-Minute Easy Neapolitan Layer Cake Recipe - featured image
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This Easy Neapolitan Layer Cake features three layers of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry, all made in just 30 minutes. It’s the perfect dessert for impressing guests without spending all day in the kitchen.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 ½ cups (312g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (240ml) whole milk, room temperature
  • 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ½ teaspoon instant coffee powder
  • ⅓ cup (110g) strawberry jam or preserves
  • A few drops pink food coloring (optional)
  • 1 ½ cups (340g) unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
  • 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (for frosting)
  • 3–4 tablespoons heavy cream or whole milk
  • Pinch of salt (for frosting)
  • Chocolate shavings (optional garnish)
  • Fresh strawberries (optional garnish)
  • Rainbow sprinkles (optional garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease three 8-inch round cake pans, line bottoms with parchment paper, and grease parchment.
  2. In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (3-4 minutes). Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Mix in vanilla extract.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Add half the dry ingredients to butter mixture, mix on low until just combined. Add half the milk, mix. Repeat with remaining dry ingredients and milk. Do not overmix.
  4. Divide batter evenly into three bowls (about 1 ½ cups each). To one bowl, whisk in cocoa powder and instant coffee powder. To another, stir in strawberry jam and pink food coloring (if using). Leave the third bowl plain.
  5. Pour each batter into a prepared pan. Bake 18-22 minutes until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes, then invert onto wire rack, remove parchment, and cool completely.
  6. For frosting: Beat softened butter until creamy (2 minutes). Gradually add powdered sugar, beating on low. Add vanilla, salt, and heavy cream one tablespoon at a time until spreadable. Beat on medium-high 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy.
  7. Place one cake layer on serving plate (vanilla recommended for bottom). Spread about ¾ cup frosting evenly. Add second layer (strawberry), repeat with ¾ cup frosting. Add final layer (chocolate), spread remaining frosting over top and sides. Optionally do a crumb coat: thin layer of frosting, refrigerate 15 minutes, then final layer.
  8. Garnish with chocolate shavings, fresh strawberries, or sprinkles. Serve at room temperature.

Notes

Room temperature ingredients are crucial for proper texture. Do not overmix the batter. Cool cakes completely before frosting to prevent melting. For a cleaner finish, use a crumb coat. The cake can be made a day ahead; flavors meld and improve.

Nutrition

Keywords: Neapolitan cake, layer cake, easy cake recipe, 30-minute cake, chocolate vanilla strawberry cake

Find it online: https://daintydine.com/30-minute-easy-neapolitan-layer-cake-recipe/