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Creamy Neapolitan Cake Recipe with Rich Chocolate Vanilla Strawberry Layers

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A creamy Neapolitan cake featuring rich chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry layers with a silky mousse-like filling. Perfectly balanced flavors and textures make this cake a crowd-pleaser for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (315g) all-purpose flour (unbleached preferred)
  • 1 ¾ cups (350g) granulated sugar
  • 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened (Plugrá preferred)
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk, room temperature (almond or oat milk for dairy-free)
  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
  • ⅓ cup (35g) unsweetened cocoa powder (Dutch-processed preferred)
  • ½ cup (160g) strawberry preserves or jam with real fruit bits
  • 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened (full-fat preferred)
  • 1 cup (240 ml) heavy whipping cream, cold
  • ¾ cup (90g) powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • Optional toppings: fresh strawberries sliced, chocolate shavings or curls, mint leaves for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or line with parchment paper. Set aside.
  2. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, salt, and cocoa powder. Set aside.
  3. Using a mixer, beat softened butter with granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
  4. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Scrape down sides as needed.
  5. Divide batter evenly into three bowls. Leave one plain for vanilla layer, fold cocoa mixture into second bowl for chocolate layer, and gently fold strawberry preserves into third bowl for strawberry layer, keeping some fruit bits intact.
  6. Pour each batter into prepared pans or bake in batches. Bake 20-25 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Rotate pans halfway through baking. Cool in pans 10 minutes, then transfer to cooling racks.
  7. Beat softened cream cheese until smooth. In separate bowl, whip heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. Gently fold whipped cream into cream cheese until smooth and fluffy.
  8. Assemble cake on serving plate: start with chocolate layer, spread one-third of creamy filling evenly, add vanilla layer and spread another third, then finish with strawberry layer. Use remaining filling to frost top and sides if desired.
  9. Refrigerate cake at least 2 hours before slicing to let flavors meld and filling set. Garnish with fresh strawberries and chocolate shavings.

Notes

Let butter and cream cheese come to room temperature for smooth mixing. Fold whipped cream gently into cream cheese to keep fluffy texture. Chill assembled cake for at least 2 hours before slicing to prevent layers from sliding. Tent cake with foil if browning too fast. Prepare filling a day ahead and whip before assembling for convenience.

Nutrition

Keywords: Neapolitan cake, creamy cake, chocolate vanilla strawberry cake, layered cake, easy cake recipe, dessert, party cake

Find it online: https://larameals.com/creamy-neapolitan-cake-recipe-with-rich-chocolate-vanilla-strawberry-layers/