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.
Basic Vanilla Buttercream
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks / 227 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 teaspoons McCormick® Pure Vanilla Extract
- 32 ounces confectioners' sugar sifted
- 2 tablespoons whole milk, up to ½ cup
- pinch kosher salt
Instructions
- Beat butter in bowl of stand mixer with whisk attachment on medium-high speed until light and fluffy. (about 3 minutes)
- Add vanilla extract.
- With the mixer on low, slowly add in confectioners' sugar, milk, and salt; frequently scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl.
- Once incorporated, whip frosting for at least 3 minutes on medium-high to high. (My mixer went for 7 minutes)
- If frosting is too thick to spread, gradually beat in additional milk.
Did you make this recipe?
Thank you for making my recipe! You took pictures, right? Well go ahead and post them on Instagram! Be sure to mention me @iambaker and use the hashtag #YouAreBaker.
I must say I am in love with your cake. I have seen this done on YouTube and was wondering how it would look in red, white and blue. I found your post and I am so excited to make it. It is absolutely beautiful. I have ordered the colors that you suggested. I make these roses all the time on top of my cupcakes so I feel confident in my ability to make this. I already have 3 occasions that I need to bring a baked good, all different groups, so thank you for the wonderful idea. I am sure this will wow all my friends.
Can you share your recipe for strawberry cake? Is it a box mix or homemade? I usually make my cakes from scratch, but do not have a strawberry cake recipe. Would it work just substituting strawberry extract for the vanilla called for in the recipe? Then just add some coloring gel to get a nice pink. Thanks
Oh, this cake is incredibly beautiful! You are amazingly artistic. No wonder it took off on all those other venues. Being Italian, I will have to try making this–someday.
Blessings,
Janis
made this for my grandaughter’s birthday………….everyone thought I was brilliant!
Thank you Amanda
Thankyou for sharing this. I made it in white, two tiered cake for a party. It turned out amazing. Love your recipes.
What recipes did you use for these cakes?
Beautiful! Where can I find the recipes for the cakes?
We had a cake auction at church tonight to help raise money for our student ministry and I made two of the neapolitan rose cakes. One to sell by the slice and one to put into the auction. Well it was a hit, not a single slice left and the whole cake sold for $225 at the auction!
That is FANTASTIC!!! I am so happy for you all!!!
Hi, do you have a full recipe for this neapolitan rose cake? I really would like to know the recipe for the strawberry layer you made.
Thanks!
Hi, what is your recipe for all the layers? In particular the Strawberry layer? Thank you very much!