This is the original Neapolitan Rose Cake… everything else is just a copy! 🙂 This cake is always a showstopper. Not only are people in love with how it looks, but who can resist vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate? Don’t miss my 50 Best Cake Recipes if you love baking!
Neapolitan Cake (Box Mix Version)
There is a lot going on with this cake so I recommend starting out with cake mix. Meaning, bake 1 box of white cake in two 8-inch round cake pans, 1 box of strawberry cake in two 8-inch round cake pans, then 1 box of chocolate cake in two 8-inch round cake pans. You will only need one layer of each (1 white, 1 strawberry, 1 chocolate) so be sure to wrap up the other layers tight and freeze until the next time you want to make this amazing cake!
Neapolitan Cake (From-Scratch Version)
If you happen to want to make this cake from scratch I recommend baking one day then assembling and decorating the next.
I made my perfect chocolate cake, a strawberry cake, and a white cake in 8-in round cake pans. I added pink food color to my from-scratch strawberry cake to ensure it was a gorgeous shade that matched the buttercream.
Neapolitan Buttercream
I used the basic buttercream recipe below for the white and strawberry layers. Prepare your buttercream as directed and then divide into 2 bowls. One will stay white (vanilla) and the other will be tinted pink. I also added strawberry extract to the pink buttercream so it would taste like it looks!
For the chocolate, I made a 1/2 batch of my favorite Chocolate Buttercream. You can make a full batch and freeze it with your other chocolate cake layer to save steps for the next time you prepare this cake! When freezing buttercream I place it in an airtight pastry bag, seal it, then drop that into a plastic bag. Allow it to come to room temperature before piping.
Rosette Cake
To pipe this cake I started by placing my remaining buttercream (after you have added frosting between the layers and done a light crumb coat) into pastry bags fitted with 1M or 2D tips. Start and the bottom of the cake with chocolate and begin by piping a rosette. I like to end the rosette on top, leaving the “tail” where it will be hidden by the next row. Try to begin and end each flower in the same way to have a consistent overall look. You can find detailed information on a Rose Cake Tutorial here.
Next time I make this cake I will start by placing my chocolate cake on the cake stand and covering it with chocolate buttercream, not the strawberry as I did for the pictures.
This is the original Neapolitan Rose Cake… everything else is just a copy!
- 1 c (2 sticks, 226g) unsalted butter softened
- 2 tsp. McCormick® Pure Vanilla Extract
- 32 oz confectioners sugar sifted
- 2 tbsp. whole milk you can use up to 1/2 cup
- pinch salt
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Beat butter in bowl of stand mixer with whisk attachment on medium-high speed until light and fluffy. (about 3 minutes)
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Add vanilla extract.
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With the mixer on low, slowly add in confectioners sugar, milk, and salt; frequently scraping sides and bottom of the bowl.
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Once incorporated, whip frosting for at least 3 minutes on medium-high to high. (My mixer went for 7 minutes)
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If frosting is too thick to spread, gradually beat in additional milk.
Amanda, since I saw your cake no yahoo this week I dream about doing it. But you don’t give the recipe for the cake itself (each layer, choc., strawb. and the white 1). I could get it from the web, but sincerely yours looks so delicious that Id love to have your own recipe. Wouldn’t you want to share it?! Thank you!
I am doing a yellow rose cake in a few days with darker yellow working up to almost ivory…. but I was curious about how much icing do you use for each color when you are doing one layer of roses in different colors
Hi Amanda! Your blog is amazing and I am so excited to make new recipes! I really want to make the Neapolitan rose cake for my daughters bday. Could you post the full recipe? Thanks so much!
Hi, do you have the complete recipe for the cake not only the rose technique? Thanks! Been searching on your site but cannot find it!
Just beautiful!!
Would you be kind enough to let me know the recipes for the three cakes please?
Also, what quantity of the basic butter cream do I need to make for the pink and white roses?
Thank you so much.
Hi! What size cake pans do you use when making the cake part of this? Are they 8″ or 9″?
The post said 8 in. pans
She said she used 8 inch.
At the start it states 8 inch
how did you make this butter cream frosting into chocolate? Can you post a cream cheese frosting recipe please. Thank you.
Love your posts, I see them shared on FB
I am after thr recipe of the cake please
Looks superb.
Will give a try.
Hi! I am going to make this cake, and was wondering if I had to make 1 batch of back to basic buttercream with half dyed pink and half a batch of chocolate in order to crumb coat and frost the entire cake,
Thanks!
I am looking for the recipe for the Neapolitan cake.
I am a beginning baker and want to try my hand at
this cake. Thank you
What kind/brand of strawberry flavoring/extract do you use and where do you buy it?
McCormick, at my local grocery store! 🙂
Love your cakes!
I tried it.
This if one of my first few full buttercream frosted cakes.
I altered the recipes in your website a little bit.
It looks and tastes wonderful.
I did not have enough frosting to cover the entire cake so I didn’t get to frost it the way in the pictures but anyways it turned out beautiful.
How do I post a pic for you to see?
Made this cake today. I am happy with my results except I had to make another batch of frosting which I used half of.
Hi,
I really loved your website and videos. My kids love it too IS it possible for u to give me recipe for each layers. In your website the recipe is for three layers. Is it possible to give me recipe for single layer. I don’t want to waste the cake. So would you please post the recipes converted into one layer ie chocolate caje, white and strawberry cakes. I am beginner in baking
Thanks
What kind of mixer is that?
No baking powder?
I have tried few of tour recipes. They are so delicious!!
Looking forward to trying some wondeful recipes
What is the recipe for the cakes? Or is it just a box and this is the frosting recipes? Thank you! This is beautiful!
What ingredients did you for your cake mix for this cakes. I just love your videos.
I made this cake for my daughters 23rd birthday it was amazing. I bought my first decorating tip to make it and thought it was not so perfect as your it was beautiful and looked like a master piece needless to say my daughter was so happy and excited and not to mention surprised by her mothers end product!
I am now attemptiing to recreate by request of my SON! The same cake!! It is for his 18th birthday and is sharing it with a friend doing a joint birthday get together with their friends
I have a question or asking for advice on how should I decorate it without the roses. Any suggestions?
I have my first cake in the oven as I type this.
How many people does the cake serve?