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Perfect Neapolitan Layer Cake Recipe Easy Homemade Strawberry Vanilla Chocolate Swirl

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A nostalgic and playful layered cake featuring distinct strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate swirls with a moist texture and balanced flavors. Perfect for celebrations or cozy afternoons.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (315 g) all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 1 ¾ cups (350 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk, room temperature
  • 2 ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ cups (225 g) fresh strawberries, hulled and mashed (or frozen, thawed and drained)
  • 3 tbsp powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • ⅓ cup (35 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ⅓ cup (80 ml) hot water

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease three 8-inch cake pans, line bottoms with parchment paper, and dust lightly with flour.
  2. Make the strawberry puree by mashing strawberries with powdered sugar and lemon juice until slightly chunky. Set aside.
  3. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
  4. Using a mixer on medium speed, beat softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  5. Beat in eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in vanilla extract.
  6. Reduce mixer speed to low. Add one-third of the flour mixture, then half of the milk. Repeat once more, ending with the last third of flour. Mix just until combined.
  7. Divide batter into three parts: to one third add cocoa powder and hot water and stir until smooth; to another third fold in strawberry puree gently; leave the last third plain for vanilla layer.
  8. Pour each batter into separate pans or layer all three batters in one pan with a skewer swirl for a marbled effect.
  9. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Check chocolate layer a few minutes earlier to avoid burning.
  10. Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting or slicing.

Notes

Use room temperature ingredients for best results. Do not overmix after adding flour to avoid dense cake. Check chocolate layer earlier to prevent burning. For swirl effect, use gentle folding or skewer figure-eights. Cool completely before frosting.

Nutrition

Keywords: Neapolitan cake, layered cake, strawberry cake, vanilla cake, chocolate cake, swirl cake, homemade cake, easy cake recipe, party cake

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