Neapolitan Pound Cake: A Timeless Symphony of Flavors

Experience the delightful fusion of classic Neapolitan flavors – strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate – expertly layered in this rich and wonderfully buttery Neapolitan Pound Cake. Drizzled with a simple, sweet glaze and adorned with vibrant sprinkles, this cake isn’t just a dessert; it’s a celebration! Perfectly suited for any gathering, it promises to be a show-stopping centerpiece and a treat for every palate.

The Inspiration Behind the Layers

My journey to creating this Neapolitan Pound Cake began during a memorable “cake date” with my husband, Brandon, at a charming bakery in Dallas that dedicates itself solely to the art of cake. The concept itself was enchanting, and the array of exquisite cakes on display was simply overwhelming. That evening, we indulged in generous slices of dark chocolate and carrot cake, both utterly divine. Yet, it was the towering, beautifully crafted Neapolitan layered cake that truly captured my imagination. Its stunning presentation and the promise of its classic flavor combination made it an instant addition to my “must-try” list for our next visit. However, my excitement couldn’t wait. I returned home, brimming with inspiration, and immediately set out to recreate that magic in my own kitchen. The result? A truly fun and, of course, utterly scrumptious baking adventure!

Why the Neapolitan Pound Cake is a Must-Bake

This Neapolitan Pound Cake offers a delightful twist on a beloved classic. Unlike its ice cream counterpart, this cake brings together the comforting density of a pound cake with the playful trio of strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate. Each forkful delivers a perfect balance of these iconic flavors, creating a harmonious and nostalgic taste experience. It’s a dessert that appeals to everyone, catering to different preferences in a single, beautiful slice. The rich, buttery pound cake provides a robust base, ensuring each vibrant layer stands out without becoming overly sweet or heavy. Its festive appearance, especially with a scattering of colorful sprinkles, makes it an ideal choice for any celebration, from birthdays and holidays to simple family gatherings, adding a touch of elegance and whimsy to your dessert table.

The Classic Pound Cake Foundation

The foundation of this exquisite dessert is a perfectly executed pound cake. Originating centuries ago, the traditional pound cake was aptly named because it called for a pound each of butter, sugar, eggs, and flour. This simple yet profound ratio results in a cake that is wonderfully dense, rich, and incredibly moist. It’s this robust structure and buttery crumb that makes it an ideal canvas for introducing the distinct Neapolitan flavors. The pound cake’s ability to hold its shape ensures that each colored layer remains distinct and visually appealing, offering both structural integrity and a melt-in-your-mouth texture that is undeniably satisfying. We start with a classic batter, ensuring that characteristic richness and tender crumb that defines a truly great pound cake, providing the perfect stage for our flavor trio.

Crafting the Signature Neapolitan Layers

Achieving the iconic Neapolitan look and taste is surprisingly straightforward with this recipe. After preparing a single batch of our buttery pound cake batter, the magic happens when we divide it into three separate mixing bowls. This allows for individual flavoring, ensuring each section bursts with its designated taste. For the chocolate layer, we incorporate instant chocolate pudding mix, which not only imparts a deep cocoa flavor but also contributes to the cake’s moistness. The vanilla layer receives instant vanilla pudding mix, giving it a pure, sweet vanilla essence. Finally, the strawberry layer comes alive with the addition of strawberry gelatin mix, creating a vibrant pink hue and a delightful fruity tang. The use of pudding and gelatin mixes is a clever shortcut that provides intense flavor and beautiful color without the need for additional liquid or extensive flavoring agents, making the process both simple and effective. These individually flavored batters are then carefully layered into a single tube cake pan, creating the distinct stripes that are so characteristic of Neapolitan desserts. As they bake together, the flavors meld slightly while retaining their individual identities, resulting in a cohesive yet multi-faceted cake.

The Perfect Finish: Glaze and Sprinkles

Once baked to golden perfection and allowed to cool slightly, the cake is ready for its final embellishments. The tube pan allows for easy removal, revealing a beautifully shaped cake that’s ready for its crowning glory. A simple yet elegant sweet glaze is generously drizzled over the top, adding a lovely sheen and an extra touch of sweetness that complements the rich cake without overpowering it. This glaze is easy to make with just powdered sugar and milk, allowing you to adjust the consistency to your liking. To complete the festive transformation, a shower of colorful sprinkles is added. These aren’t just for decoration; they add a playful pop of color and a delightful texture, making each slice even more inviting and fun. It’s the kind of cake that makes you smile before you even take the first bite, a true feast for the eyes and the palate.

Versatility and Occasion-Ready

The beauty of this Neapolitan Pound Cake lies in its remarkable versatility. It’s a dessert that requires no specific occasion to be enjoyed, yet it’s perfectly suited for every celebration imaginable. Whether you’re hosting a sophisticated dinner party, celebrating a child’s birthday, bringing a dish to a potluck, or simply craving a comforting treat with your afternoon coffee, this cake fits the bill. Its universal appeal stems from having all the beloved classic cake flavors harmoniously integrated into one irresistible slice. Every bite is a delightful surprise, cycling through the familiar comforts of vanilla, the sweet tang of strawberry, and the deep richness of chocolate. This thoughtful combination ensures that there’s something for everyone, making it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and a reliable recipe to have in your baking repertoire. It truly embodies joy and deliciousness in every layer.

Baking Tips for Pound Cake Perfection

To ensure your Neapolitan Pound Cake turns out perfectly every time, here are a few essential tips. Firstly, always start with room temperature ingredients, especially butter and eggs. This allows them to emulsify properly, creating a smooth, cohesive batter and a lighter, more tender crumb. When mixing, be careful not to overmix the batter once the flour is added; mix just until combined to avoid a tough cake. For layering the batter, gently spread each color to cover the previous layer completely, being careful not to disturb the layers too much. A well-greased and floured tube pan is crucial for easy release, preventing the cake from sticking. Finally, ensure your oven temperature is accurate and resist the urge to open the oven door too frequently, which can cause the cake to sink. The toothpick test is your best friend – when inserted into the center, it should come out clean, indicating your cake is perfectly baked.

Serving and Storage Suggestions

This Neapolitan Pound Cake is wonderful on its own, but it also pairs beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream for an extra touch of indulgence. A hot cup of coffee or a comforting mug of tea makes for an excellent companion, especially for a delightful afternoon treat. Leftovers, if there are any, can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, or refrigerated for up to a week. For longer storage, slices can be individually wrapped and frozen for up to a month, thawing at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy another slice of this layered delight.

Enjoy every delicious bite!

xoxo,

Neapolitan Pound Cake Recipe

Classic Neapolitan flavors of strawberry, vanilla and chocolate are layered together in this rich and buttery Neapolitan Pound Cake that’s drizzled with a simple sweet glaze and made even more festive with colorful sprinkles. A great cake for any occasion!

Recipe Details:

• Author: Maegan – The BakerMama
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hour 5 mins
• Total Time: 1 hour 25 mins
• Yield: 12 servings
• Category: Dessert

Ingredients

Cake:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 5 large eggs
• 1-1/4 cups buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons chocolate instant pudding mix
• 3 tablespoons vanilla instant pudding mix
• 3 tablespoons strawberry gelatin mix

Glaze:

• 1-1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 1/4 cup sprinkles, for decorating (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease and flour a 10-inch round tube cake pan and set aside.
2. In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition until fully incorporated. With the mixer on low speed, slowly beat in the buttermilk and vanilla extract until smooth.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, one cup at a time, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
4. Divide the cake batter evenly between three medium-sized mixing bowls, about 2 cups of batter per bowl. To the first bowl, add the chocolate instant pudding mix and stir until well combined and smooth. To the second bowl, add the vanilla instant pudding mix and stir until smooth. To the third bowl, add the strawberry gelatin mix and stir until the mix is fully incorporated and the batter is smooth and uniformly colored.
5. Start with the strawberry batter and spread it evenly into the bottom of the prepared tube pan. Next, carefully spread the vanilla batter over the strawberry layer, ensuring it covers completely without mixing the layers. Finally, spread the chocolate batter over the vanilla layer, spreading it evenly to cover the vanilla batter completely.
6. Place the cake pan on a baking sheet (to catch any potential drips) and bake for 60-65 minutes, or until a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan for 20 minutes before carefully inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely.
7. While the cake cools, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and milk until smooth and of drizzling consistency. If the glaze is too thin, add a little more powdered sugar; if it’s too thick, add a few more drops of milk until the desired consistency is achieved.
8. Once the cake is completely cooled, transfer it to a cake stand or serving platter. Drizzle the prepared glaze evenly over the top of the cake. If desired, immediately sprinkle with colorful sprinkles before the glaze sets for a festive finish. Slice and serve!

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can’t wait to see what you’ve made!