Layered Neapolitan Cake
/Chocolate, Vanilla & Strawberry Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
There is something so nostalgic about the combination of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. Inspired by classic Neapolitan ice cream, this Layered Neapolitan Cake brings all three flavors together in one beautiful dessert.
Instead of making three completely different cake recipes, I start with one vanilla cake batter and divide it into three portions. One stays vanilla, fresh strawberry puree transforms another into the strawberry layer, and cocoa powder with a shot of espresso creates the rich chocolate layer.
Once baked, the three cakes are stacked with a thick cream cheese frosting, giving you those beautiful chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry layers with every slice.
It's a cake that looks impressive when you cut into it but is surprisingly approachable to make. I love it for birthdays, spring celebrations, Valentine's Day, showers, or really any occasion that calls for a beautiful layer cake.
What Is Neapolitan Cake?
Neapolitan cake is inspired by the familiar chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry combination found in Neapolitan ice cream.
For this version, we're taking those three flavors and turning them into individual cake layers.
The vanilla layer is sweet and simple, the strawberry layer gets its flavor from real strawberry puree, and the chocolate layer combines cocoa powder with espresso to deepen the chocolate flavor.
Stack them together with cream cheese frosting and the real magic happens when you cut that first slice and reveal all three layers.
Why You'll Love This Neapolitan Cake
This cake is one of those desserts that makes a statement without requiring three completely separate cake recipes.
You'll love it because it's:
Three classic flavors in one cake
Made from one base cake batter
Beautiful when sliced
Made with real strawberry puree
Perfect for birthdays and celebrations
Easy to decorate simply or elaborately
Covered in rich cream cheese frosting
Easy to customize with your favorite decorations
And because the inside is already so pretty, you really don't need elaborate decorating on the outside.
Three Cake Flavors From One Batter
One of my favorite things about this recipe is that you don't need to make three separate batches of cake batter.
Make your base batter first and divide it evenly between three bowls.
Leave one portion vanilla.
Mix strawberry puree into the second.
Add cocoa powder and espresso to the third.
Then each flavor gets its own 6-inch cake pan.
It simplifies the process while still giving you three distinct layers once the cake is assembled.
Ingredient Notes
Cake Flour
Cake flour has a lower protein content than all-purpose flour and helps give the cake a softer, more delicate crumb.
Butter
This recipe uses both melted butter in the wet ingredients and grated butter worked into the dry ingredients.
Make sure the grated butter stays relatively cool while you're incorporating it into the flour mixture.
Heavy Cream
Heavy cream adds richness and moisture to the cake batter and is also used to adjust the consistency of the cream cheese frosting.
Vanilla
Vanilla forms the base flavor of the cake and is especially important in the vanilla layer.
Strawberry Puree
I use real strawberry puree for the strawberry portion of the batter.
The puree adds both flavor and natural color to the cake without turning the batter overwhelmingly sweet.
Cocoa Powder
Cocoa powder transforms the third portion of batter into the chocolate layer.
Espresso
A shot of espresso intensifies the chocolate flavor. The goal isn't necessarily for the cake to taste like coffee—it simply makes the cocoa taste richer.
Cream Cheese
Cream cheese creates a rich, slightly tangy frosting that balances the sweetness of the cake.
Powdered Sugar
Powdered sugar sweetens and gives structure to the frosting.
Kitchen Tools
For this cake, you'll want:
Three 6-inch round cake pans
Large mixing bowls
Electric hand mixer or stand mixer
Box grater
Measuring cups and spoons
Rubber spatula
Cooling rack
Offset spatula
Cake turntable, optional
Serrated knife, optional
You can find more of my favorite baking tools, cake pans, and everyday kitchen essentials in my Baking & Cake Essentials roundup.
Layered Neapolitan Cake Recipe
Prep Time: Approximately 30 minutes
Bake Time: 30–35 minutes
Cooling & Decorating Time: Approximately 1 hour
Total Time: Approximately 2 hours
Servings: Approximately 10–12 slices
Ingredients
Neapolitan Cake
3 large eggs
3 large egg whites
1 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons butter, melted
3 teaspoons vanilla extract
1½ cups granulated sugar
2¼ cups cake flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
¾ teaspoon sea salt
1 cup butter, grated
¼ cup strawberry puree
¼ cup cocoa powder
1 shot espresso, cooled
Cream Cheese Frosting
1 cup butter, softened to room temperature
16 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
8 cups powdered sugar
½ cup heavy cream, plus more if needed
Beet juice, optional, for natural pink color
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Cake Pans
Preheat your oven to 350°F.
Grease three 6-inch round cake pans and prepare them for the batter.
Step 2: Combine the Wet Ingredients
In a mixing bowl, combine the whole eggs, egg whites, heavy cream, melted butter, and vanilla.
Mix until completely incorporated.
Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a separate large mixing bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, cake flour, baking powder, and sea salt.
Step 4: Add the Grated Butter
Grate 1 cup of butter directly over the dry ingredients.
Work the butter into the flour mixture by hand until the pieces of butter are no larger than peas and are evenly distributed throughout the dry ingredients.
Step 5: Finish the Base Batter
Add the wet ingredients to the dry mixture.
Using a hand mixer on medium speed, mix just until everything is incorporated and the batter is smooth.
Avoid overmixing.
Step 6: Divide the Batter
Divide the batter as evenly as possible between three bowls.
Leave the first bowl as vanilla.
Gently mix ¼ cup strawberry puree into the second bowl.
Mix ¼ cup cocoa powder and 1 cooled shot of espresso into the third bowl.
Step 7: Bake
Pour each flavor into its own prepared 6-inch cake pan.
Bake at 350°F for 30–35 minutes, or until a cake tester or wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
Because ovens vary, begin checking the cakes toward the lower end of the baking range.
Step 8: Cool
Allow the cakes to cool in their pans for approximately 15 minutes.
Carefully remove them from the pans and transfer to cooling racks.
Allow the layers to cool completely before frosting.
Do not frost warm cake layers or the cream cheese frosting can soften and slide.
Step 9: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting
Add the softened butter and cream cheese to a large mixing bowl.
Beat until smooth and creamy.
Gradually add the powdered sugar.
Slowly add the heavy cream until the frosting reaches your desired consistency.
If you'd like a naturally pink tint, add a very small amount of beet juice until you reach your desired shade.
Step 10: Assemble the Neapolitan Cake
If necessary, use a serrated knife to level the cooled cake layers.
Place your first cake layer onto a cake plate or cake board.
Spread an even layer of cream cheese frosting over the top.
Repeat with the remaining layers, arranging the chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry cakes in whichever order you prefer.
Step 11: Crumb Coat
Spread a thin layer of frosting over the top and sides of the entire cake.
This first layer—the crumb coat—traps loose crumbs so they don't show through your final frosting.
Refrigerate the cake for approximately 30 minutes.
Step 12: Decorate
Remove the chilled cake from the refrigerator and add your final layer of cream cheese frosting.
Smooth the frosting for a clean finish or leave it softly textured.
Decorate however you'd like and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Slice to reveal those beautiful chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry layers.
Enjoy!
Amanda's Quick Tips
Bring the eggs and cream closer to room temperature before mixing.
Keep the grated butter cool until you're ready to use it.
Divide the batter as evenly as possible so your cake layers are similar in height.
Cool the espresso before adding it to the chocolate batter.
Don't overmix after adding the strawberry puree or cocoa.
Cool all three cakes completely before frosting.
Use a crumb coat for a cleaner final finish.
Chill the assembled cake before slicing for cleaner layers.
Use a serrated knife to level the cakes if they've domed during baking.
How to Divide Cake Batter Evenly
Getting three similarly sized cake layers makes the finished Neapolitan cake much prettier.
The easiest way to do this accurately is with a kitchen scale.
Weigh your empty mixing bowl first, then weigh it again once the finished batter is inside. Subtract the bowl's weight and divide the remaining batter weight by three.
Then portion that amount into each bowl before adding the strawberry and chocolate ingredients.
If you don't have a kitchen scale, you can divide it visually using equal-sized bowls and a measuring cup.
How to Make the Strawberry Cake Layer
Fresh strawberry puree gives this layer its strawberry flavor.
Blend fresh strawberries until smooth and measure ¼ cup puree before adding it to one-third of your batter.
Because strawberries vary in color, your finished layer may be a softer pink rather than the bright color associated with Neapolitan ice cream—and that's completely fine.
I prefer letting the strawberries provide the flavor rather than adding a large amount of artificial coloring.
Why Add Espresso to Chocolate Cake?
Coffee and chocolate work beautifully together because coffee can intensify cocoa's naturally deep flavor.
One shot of espresso is enough to enhance the chocolate layer without turning this into a coffee cake.
Just remember to let your espresso cool before adding it to the batter.
How to Get Beautiful Even Cake Layers
A layered cake is much easier to assemble when each cake is relatively level.
If your cakes develop domed tops during baking, allow them to cool completely and carefully remove the raised portion using a long serrated knife.
Don't try to level warm cake.
You can also use cake strips around your pans if you already have them, which can encourage more even baking.
How to Crumb Coat a Layer Cake
If you've ever wondered how frosted cakes get that clean finish without little cake crumbs everywhere, the answer is usually a crumb coat.
After stacking your layers, cover the entire cake with a very thin layer of frosting.
It doesn't need to look pretty.
Its only job is to trap the crumbs.
Place the cake in the refrigerator for approximately 30 minutes so that first layer firms up.
Then apply your final coat of frosting over it.
You'll have a much cleaner surface to work with.
Decorating Your Neapolitan Cake
The inside of this cake already gives you such a beautiful surprise that the outside can be as simple or elaborate as you'd like.
Try decorating it with:
Fresh strawberries
Chocolate curls
Chocolate shavings
Fresh berries
Piped cream cheese frosting
Strawberry slices
Chocolate drizzle
Sprinkles for a birthday
A softly textured frosting finish
You could also tint a small portion of the cream cheese frosting pale pink with beet juice and use it for piping or decorative details.
When to Serve Neapolitan Cake
The classic flavors make this cake work for so many celebrations.
It's beautiful for:
Birthdays
Baby showers
Bridal showers
Valentine's Day
Mother's Day
Easter
Spring celebrations
Summer parties
Afternoon gatherings
Family celebrations
It's particularly fun for a birthday because chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry give everyone a little bit of something familiar.
How to Store Neapolitan Cake
Because this cake is covered in cream cheese frosting, store it in the refrigerator.
Place the cake in a covered cake carrier or airtight container to prevent it from drying out or absorbing odors from the refrigerator.
For the best texture, enjoy it within approximately 4–5 days.
Before serving, you can let individual slices sit at room temperature briefly so the cake and frosting soften slightly.
Can You Make Neapolitan Cake Ahead?
Yes, and I actually think layer cakes are easier when you don't try to do everything at once.
Bake the cake layers ahead of time and let them cool completely.
Wrap each individual layer tightly and refrigerate until you're ready to assemble.
Then make your frosting, stack the cake, crumb coat, chill, and finish decorating.
Breaking the recipe into stages makes the entire process much more manageable when you're preparing for a party or celebration.
Can You Freeze Neapolitan Cake?
The unfrosted cake layers can be frozen.
Once completely cool, wrap each layer tightly in plastic wrap and then place it inside a freezer-safe bag or wrap again for extra protection.
Freeze for up to approximately 3 months.
Thaw the layers in the refrigerator before assembling and decorating.
You can also freeze individual pieces of the finished cake, although the texture of cream cheese frosting may change slightly after freezing and thawing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What flavors are in Neapolitan cake?
Traditional Neapolitan combines chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry—the same three flavors traditionally associated with Neapolitan ice cream.
Do I need to make three separate cake batters?
Not for this recipe. We make one base batter, divide it into thirds, and flavor the portions individually.
Can I use frozen strawberries?
Yes. Thaw them completely, drain excess liquid if necessary, and puree before measuring.
Can I use strawberry jam instead of puree?
I prefer fresh strawberry puree because jam contains considerably more sugar and can change the texture and sweetness of the cake.
Does the espresso make the chocolate cake taste like coffee?
The small amount is primarily there to enhance the cocoa flavor rather than make a strongly coffee-flavored cake.
Can I leave the espresso out?
Yes. The chocolate layer will still work without it, although its chocolate flavor may be slightly less intense.
Why did my strawberry cake not turn bright pink?
Fresh strawberry puree naturally produces a softer color. The exact shade will vary depending on your strawberries.
Can I make this in larger cake pans?
You can, but changing pan size will affect the thickness of your layers and baking time, so monitor the cakes closely.
Why do I need a crumb coat?
A crumb coat traps loose cake crumbs underneath the final frosting layer, giving you a cleaner finish.
Does Neapolitan cake need to be refrigerated?
Yes. Because this version uses cream cheese frosting, keep the finished cake refrigerated.
More Cake Recipes You'll Love
If you love making beautiful cakes from scratch, try another favorite from Amanda's Kitchen:
Banana Chocolate Chip Cake with Ganache Frosting
A rich banana cake finished with decadent chocolate ganache.
Espresso Chocolate Cake with Raspberry Cream Cheese Frosting
A beautiful chocolate and raspberry combination that's perfect for celebrations.
Banana Cake with Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting
One of my favorite combinations of moist banana cake and rich brown butter frosting.
Blueberry Cake with Mascarpone Frosting
A beautiful berry cake with creamy mascarpone frosting.
Layered Orange Cake with Raspberry Mascarpone Frosting
Bright citrus and raspberry flavors in another beautiful layer cake.
A classic cake recipe to keep in your baking collection.
Shop My Cake Baking Essentials
I've gathered some of my favorite cake pans, mixing bowls, decorating tools, serving pieces, and baking essentials in my Cake Essentials.
Save This Recipe
Whether you're planning a birthday, celebrating something special, or simply want to try a beautiful layer cake at home, save this Layered Neapolitan Cake recipe for later.
I've included my printable From Amanda's Kitchen recipe card below so it's easy to save, print, and make again.
A Note From Amanda
There's something about cutting into a layer cake that always feels a little special, but I especially love the surprise inside this one.
Seeing the chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry layers together instantly reminds me of classic Neapolitan ice cream, only transformed into a cake made for sharing around the table.
Whether you make it for a birthday, a spring celebration, or simply because you're in the mood to bake something beautiful, I hope it's one of those cakes that makes the occasion feel a little more memorable.
"Taste and see that the Lord is good."
Psalm 34:8
Made with love for the people you love.
