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Neapolitan Layer Cake for Two - featured image

Neapolitan Layer Cake for Two: No Leftovers

  • Author: Lisa
  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 2 servings 1x

Description

A perfectly portioned, three-layer cake featuring strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate flavors, scaled down to yield exactly two servings with no leftovers.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar (divided)
  • ½ cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
  • 2 large eggs (room temperature)
  • ¾ cup buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 3 tablespoons strawberry jam
  • 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 cup unsalted butter (softened, for frosting)
  • 4 cups powdered sugar (sifted)
  • 3–4 tablespoons heavy cream
  • Gel paste food coloring (red and brown/black)
  • ½ teaspoon strawberry extract
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
  • ¼ teaspoon almond extract (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease three 4-inch cake pans and line bottoms with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. In a large bowl, cream softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy (3-4 minutes).
  4. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Mix in vanilla extract.
  5. Add half of the flour mixture, then half of the buttermilk. Repeat, ending with flour. Mix until just combined.
  6. Divide batter evenly into three bowls.
  7. Leave one bowl plain for the vanilla layer.
  8. Add cocoa powder and almond extract to the second bowl for the chocolate layer.
  9. Add strawberry jam and red gel food coloring to the third bowl for the strawberry layer.
  10. Pour batter into prepared pans and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  11. Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
  12. Divice softened butter into three bowls for frosting. Beat each with powdered sugar and heavy cream until smooth.
  13. Add vanilla extract to one frosting, cocoa powder to another, and strawberry extract/red coloring to the third.
  14. Assemble cake: Place chocolate layer on plate, frost, add vanilla layer, frost, add strawberry layer, and frost top and sides.
  15. Slice and serve immediately.

Notes

Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for best results. Do not overmix the batter to avoid tough cakes. Cool cakes completely before frosting to prevent melting. Gel food coloring is preferred over liquid to maintain frosting consistency.

  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice
  • Calories: 480
  • Sugar: 48
  • Sodium: 350
  • Fat: 22
  • Saturated Fat: 13
  • Carbohydrates: 65
  • Fiber: 2
  • Protein: 6

Keywords: Neapolitan cake, small batch baking, cake for two, no leftovers, strawberry vanilla chocolate cake, layer cake

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Find it online: https://bymiarecipes.com/neapolitan-layer-cake-for-two-no-leftovers/