Neapolitan Cake Recipe

Every time I bake a neapolitan cake, I’m transported back to my grandmother’s kitchen. The aroma of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry wafting through the air felt like a hug in the form of sugar and butter. I remember sitting at the counter, legs swinging, waiting impatiently for that first taste of cake batter from her big mixing bowl. Layer by layer, flavor by flavor, that cake always brought the biggest smiles to our Sunday gatherings.

This neapolitan cake recipe captures that same nostalgic joy—but with a whimsical twist. From its striped buttercream sides to the playful ice cream cone topper, it’s just the kind of dessert that feels both elegant and fun. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday or simply craving something delightful, this high-altitude version promises to wow your crowd. Gather around, grab your favorite mixing bowl, and let’s turn a trio of simple cakes into a showstopping memory-maker.

Let’s make memories one bite at a time.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This neapolitan cake is pure joy in every slice. You get the best of all worlds—rich chocolate, tender vanilla, and fresh strawberry—stacked beautifully into one charming dessert. It’s like three cakes came together for a delicious party.

This recipe is easy to follow, even for beginner bakers, but the final presentation feels like something straight from a bakery window. The layers are moist, flavorful, and bake up evenly thanks to high-altitude testing. No dry crumbs or sunken middles here—just a celebration of soft, sweet cake.

Each layer of neapolitan cake is paired with its own silky buttercream, making every bite rich yet balanced. You’ll love how the colors and flavors play off one another. The striped sides and fun ice cream cone topper make this perfect for birthdays, summer gatherings, or anytime you’re craving a little extra fun.

Ready in just over an hour, it’s ambitious-looking but surprisingly doable. And let’s be honest—there’s something wildly satisfying about cutting into a tall neapolitan cake and watching the colors peek through.

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Ingredient Overview

This cake is a flavor trio that sings in harmony: chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla. Each layer is built from a half batch of moist, flavorful cake, so you’re not doubling work—just dividing your love between three flavors. Here’s what makes this neapolitan cake truly shine:

• Vanilla Cake: Light and buttery, the perfect neutral to anchor the bolder flavors.

• Strawberry Cake: Fresh strawberry puree and a hint of pink gel coloring give this layer both charm and real fruit flavor. A soft, summery surprise.

• Chocolate Cake: Rich cocoa powder makes this layer dense and fudgy—like your favorite brownie in cake form.

• Three Buttercreams: Each layer is matched with its own frosting—vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate. The smooth, creamy textures help everything stay light and cohesive.

• Red or Pink Gel Food Coloring: For that beautiful strawberry hue.

• Ice Cream Cone Topper: A playful scoop of buttercream makes this cake party-ready.

Food styling tip: Press sprinkles or shaved chocolate along the bottom edge of the cake before serving to add extra color and texture.

Step-by-step Instructions

Step 1: Preheat and Prep Your Pans

Set your oven to 350°F. Spray the bottoms of three 8-inch pans with nonstick baking spray. For this neapolitan cake, prepping your pans properly makes all the difference—those clean releases will keep your layers intact and beautiful.

Step 2: Mix the Vanilla Cake

Prepare half a batch of your favorite vanilla cake recipe. It should yield one layer. Pour the batter into one pan and smooth the top. Set aside while you move to the next flavor.

Step 3: Make the Strawberry Batter

Whip up half a batch of strawberry cake, adding a few drops of pink or red gel food coloring until it turns that soft blush you want for a true neapolitan cake aesthetic. Pour into the second pan.

Step 4: Whisk Up the Chocolate Layer

For the final batter, make half a batch of rich chocolate cake. This one will anchor your neapolitan cake with deep, fudgy flavor. Pour it into the last pan.

Step 5: Bake All Three Cakes

Place all pans on the center rack and bake for 28–30 minutes. The cakes should spring back gently and a toothpick inserted should come out clean. Let the cakes cool in the pans under a light towel before removing.

Step 6: Prepare the Buttercreams

While the cakes cool, make half-batches of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry buttercreams. Cover each bowl with plastic wrap and let them rest at room temperature.

Step 7: Assemble the First Layer

Place the vanilla cake on a cake board. Spread a thin, even layer of vanilla buttercream on top. Frost the sides lightly to keep the crumb coat tidy—this is the base of your neapolitan cake masterpiece.

Step 8: Add the Strawberry and Chocolate Layers

Stack the strawberry cake next, followed by its buttercream. Then repeat with the chocolate cake and chocolate frosting. Lightly frost the entire cake to seal in crumbs, then chill for 30 minutes.

Tip: A turntable and bench scraper make smoothing your neapolitan cake so much easier. Go slowly and don’t be afraid to clean your scraper often for neater sides.

Step 9: Final Frost and Stripe

Use an offset spatula or piping bags to apply vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate buttercream stripes around the sides. Smooth with a bench scraper, blending gently if needed.

Step 10: Make the Ice Cream Cone Topper

Chill the leftover buttercream. Use a scoop to form “ice cream” balls onto a sugar cone. Set in the fridge until firm. Add a wooden skewer and press the cone upside down onto your neapolitan cake for a playful finish.

Now that your neapolitan cake is coming together beautifully, let’s explore some pro tips and creative variations!

Pro Tips

For a smooth and striking neapolitan cake, room temperature ingredients are key. Cold butter or eggs can mess with the texture, especially at high altitude. Let everything sit out for at least 30 minutes before mixing.

When layering your neapolitan cake, gently press each layer down before adding the next. This ensures stability and keeps your slices clean and tall when cut.

Use gel-based food coloring for the strawberry layer. Liquid colors can throw off the moisture balance and affect the texture of your neapolitan cake.

Keep a bowl nearby to scrape excess buttercream from your bench scraper. It helps you stay neat as you smooth out each stripe of this beautiful neapolitan cake. This technique, often used in cakes like pumpkin desserts, gives your final result a polished look.

Store your finished neapolitan cake in the fridge if not serving the same day. Let it come to room temp before slicing so those layers can really shine.

Variations

Want to add a fruity twist to your neapolitan cake? Try raspberry or cherry in place of strawberry. Just swap the puree and a hint of jam into your strawberry layer.

Feeling indulgent? Fold mini chocolate chips into the chocolate layer for a textural pop. Your neapolitan cake will feel even more like a layered sundae.

To make it gluten-free, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour substitute. Many bakers find that chocolate layers in particular hold up well in gluten-free neapolitan cake versions.

Looking for a fun party theme? Try baking this as cupcakes. Divide each batter into cupcake tins, bake, then layer with buttercream in between. Your neapolitan cake becomes a delightful handheld treat.

For a holiday spin, tint the strawberry layer with red and top with sprinkles. It’s festive, fun, and can be served alongside treats like our football brownie desserts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Serving Suggestions

This festive neapolitan cake is a showstopper on its own, but it truly shines when served with a few playful sides. Add scoops of real Neapolitan ice cream for a double-layered experience, or offer fresh strawberries dipped in chocolate for an elegant touch.

For drinks, think nostalgic: tall glasses of cold milk or strawberry milkshakes will delight kids and adults alike. At grown-up gatherings, pair this cake with a light rosé or coffee-based cocktail for a sweet contrast.

This cake makes the perfect centerpiece for birthday parties, summer picnics, or any celebration where color and fun matter. Try serving it alongside other brunch treats like pumpkin french toast casserole to turn a simple gathering into a layered feast.

Conclusion

There’s something magical about a cake that blends three classic flavors into one dazzling dessert. This neapolitan cake brings together the richness of chocolate, the brightness of strawberry, and the gentle comfort of vanilla—all in one slice. It’s fun, whimsical, and full of heart.

Whether you’re baking for the first time or adding a new showpiece to your repertoire, this neapolitan cake will make memories you’ll want to revisit. From the smooth buttercream finish to the playful ice cream cone topper, every detail adds to the joy.

And if you loved this, you might also enjoy a twist on tradition like our keto pumpkin cheesecake muffins. Mixing flavors and textures can open up a whole new world of baking creativity.

Let’s bake some joy together! Try this neapolitan cake in your own kitchen and share how it turned out. Drop a comment below, or snap a photo and tag us on Pinterest—we’d love to see your version.

Craving more colorful bakes and heartwarming treats? Browse my kitchen for more inspiration — open in a new tab, of course.

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Gather around the table — something delicious is waiting!