Easy Neapolitan Cake Recipe

This Easy Neapolitan Cake is a moist and colorful recipe, which is made with a simple cake mix and freeze-dried strawberries. It’s a fun and easy dessert, ready in about an hour, plus cooling time.

Easy Neapolitan Cake Ingredients

• Nonstick cooking spray, for the loaf pan
• One 432-gram box classic white cake mix
• 3 large egg whites
• 1/3 cup oil
• 1 heaping tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup freeze-dried strawberries, crushed to a fine powder
• 2 to 3 drops red food coloring
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 3/4 cup milk chocolate chips

How To Make Easy Neapolitan Cake

1. Prep the oven and pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×5-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Make the three batters: In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, egg whites, oil, and 1 cup of water using an electric mixer until smooth. Divide the batter evenly among 3 separate bowls. Leave the first bowl plain (vanilla). To the second bowl, add the cocoa powder and mix well (chocolate). To the third bowl, add the powdered freeze-dried strawberries and the red food coloring and mix well (strawberry).
3. Layer the batters: Using an ice cream scoop, place 2 scoops of the chocolate batter into the loaf pan in different areas. Follow with 2 scoops of the strawberry batter and 2 scoops of the vanilla batter, placing them in different spots to create a marbled look. Repeat until all the batter is used.
4. Bake the cake: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan for 5 minutes before turning it out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
5. Make the ganache: While the cake bakes, heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan over low heat until it is just simmering. Place the chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl, then pour the hot cream over the chips. Let it sit for 1 minute, then whisk until the ganache is completely smooth.
6. Glaze and serve: Once the cake is cool, pour the ganache over the top, allowing any excess to drip down the sides.

Recipe Tips

• How to get a good marble effect? The key is to drop the different colored batters in alternating scoops around the pan rather than in even layers. Don’t be tempted to swirl them with a knife, as this can muddy the colors.
• Can I use fresh strawberries? It is not recommended for this recipe. Fresh strawberries would add too much moisture and change the texture of the cake. The freeze-dried strawberries provide a concentrated flavor without the extra liquid.
• Can I make this in a different pan? Yes. This recipe would also work well in an 8-inch or 9-inch round cake pan. You may need to adjust the baking time, so start checking for doneness a few minutes earlier.
• How to get a smooth ganache? Let the hot cream sit on the chocolate chips for a full minute before you start whisking. This allows the heat to gently melt the chips, which helps them combine into a smooth, glossy ganache.

What To Serve With Neapolitan Cake

This fun and colorful cake is a complete dessert on its own.

• A tall glass of cold milk
• A scoop of vanilla, chocolate, or strawberry ice cream to match the flavors
• A side of fresh strawberries

How To Store Neapolitan Cake

• Room Temperature: Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
• Refrigerate: If your kitchen is very warm, you can store it in the refrigerator. Let it come to room temperature before serving for the best texture.

Neapolitan Cake Nutrition Facts

• Serving Size: 1 slice
• Calories: 380 kcal
• Fat: 20g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Protein: 4g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Try More Recipes:

• Sunny’s Easy Raspberry and Strawberry Danishes Recipe
• Quick and Easy Tiramisu Recipe
• 3 Mason Jar Desserts Recipe