Neapolitan Cake

Neapolitan Cake 🍒

Indulge in this decadent Neapolitan Cake featuring layers of strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate cake, layered with bananas and luscious vanilla frosting. Topped with rich chocolate ganache, colorful sprinkles, and maraschino cherries, this cake is reminiscent of a classic banana split sundae. Perfect for any celebration, it’s a showstopper both in looks and taste

📝 Ingredients

For the Cake Layers:

 * 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

 * 2 ½ tsp baking powder

 * ½ tsp salt

 * 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

 * 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar

 * 3 large eggs, room temperature

 * 1 tbsp vanilla extract

 * 1 ¼ cups whole milk

 * For the Chocolate Section: ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder + 2 tbsp milk

 * For the Strawberry Section: ⅓ cup strawberry puree (or freeze-dried strawberry powder) + a few drops of pink food coloring (optional)

For the Filling & Frosting:

 * 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

 * 4 cups powdered sugar

 * 3–4 tbsp heavy cream

 * 2 tsp vanilla extract

 * 2 ripe bananas, sliced thin

For the Topping & Garnish:

 * ½ cup dark chocolate chips / chopped chocolate

 * ¼ cup heavy cream (for ganache)

 * Rainbow sprinkles

 * Maraschino cherries with stems

👩‍🍳 Instructions

 * Prep the Oven & Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.

 * Mix the Dry Base: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

 * Cream Butter & Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together on medium-high speed until light and fluffy (about 3–4 minutes). Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each, then stir in the vanilla extract.

 * Combine: Alternate adding the dry ingredients and the milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined.

 * Divide & Flavor: Divide the batter evenly into three bowls:

   * Vanilla: Leave one bowl as is.

   * Chocolate: Stir the cocoa powder and 2 tbsp milk into the second bowl until smooth.

   * Strawberry: Gently fold the strawberry puree and pink food coloring into the third bowl.

 * Bake: Pour each batter into its prepared 8-inch pan. Bake for 22–25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool completely on wire racks.

 * Make the Frosting: Beat the butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla extract. Beat on medium-high for 3–5 minutes until light and fluffy.

 * Assemble:

   * Place the chocolate cake layer on your serving plate. Spread a layer of vanilla frosting and top with a layer of sliced bananas.

   * Add the strawberry cake layer, followed by more frosting and banana slices.

   * Top with the vanilla cake layer.

 * Frost & Decorate: Frost the outside of the cake with the remaining vanilla frosting. Make chocolate ganache by heating the heavy cream and pouring it over the chocolate chips; stir until smooth. Pipe or drizzle the ganache on top, add a ring of pink frosting rosettes, and finish with rainbow sprinkles and maraschino cherries! 🍒