Triple Flavor Neapolitan Cake (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ Cake Batter Base
01 -
1/2 cup butter, softened
02 -
1 1/2 cup granulated sugar
03 -
1/4 cup canola oil
04 -
3 eggs, room temperature
05 -
1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste
06 -
1 cup all-purpose flour
07 -
3/4 cup cake flour
08 -
1 teaspoon baking powder
09 -
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
10 -
1/2 teaspoon salt
11 -
1 cup Lifeway Kefir, room temperature
→ Chocolate Layer
12 -
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
13 -
1 1/2 tablespoons hottest tap water
→ Strawberry Layer
14 -
2 tablespoons freeze dried strawberries, ground
15 -
1/4 teaspoon strawberry extract
16 -
Red food coloring (optional)
→ Cream Cheese Icing
17 -
8 ounce block cream cheese, softened
18 -
1 stick butter, softened
19 -
3-4 cups powdered sugar
20 -
1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
# Instructions:
01 -
Preheat oven to 350°F. Generously butter and flour three 6-inch cake pans. Line the bottom of each pan with parchment paper rounds to prevent sticking.
02 -
In a mixer with paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar for 3 minutes. Drizzle in oil, mixing for another 2 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, mixing until smooth and scraping the bowl after each addition.
03 -
Divide the batter evenly into three bowls. Prepare separate dry ingredient mixtures for vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry layers. Create distinct batters by adding respective flavoring ingredients (cocoa powder, strawberry extract, food coloring).
04 -
Pour each flavored batter into prepared pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
05 -
Mix cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar, mixing on low speed. Add vanilla and mix until fully incorporated.
06 -
Place first cake layer on a turntable or cake board. Add a dollop of icing between each layer. Apply a semi-naked frosting technique, allowing some cake to peek through the icing.
# Notes:
01 -
Recommended to refrigerate cake for at least 1 hour before icing for easier assembly
02 -
Can substitute vanilla bean paste with pure vanilla extract
03 -
Semi-naked frosting style allows cake layers to be partially visible