05/31/2025
🍨 Neapolitan Layer Cake
(3-Color Boxed Cake Hack)
Ingredients:
- 1 box chocolate cake mix (plus eggs/oil/water per box)
- 1 box white or vanilla cake mix (plus eggs/oil/water per box)
- 1 box strawberry gelatin (JELL-O)
- ½ cup mashed strawberries, very finely blended for a smooth pink crumb
- 1 tub vanilla or whipped buttercream frosting
Optional: add a drop of pink food coloring for extra vibrance. Top with a single piped swirl or a few sprinkles if you’re feeling fancy.
Directions:
1. Prepare the Layers
- Mix the chocolate cake batter per box instructions. Pour into one 8″ or 9″ round pan.
- Prepare the white/vanilla cake batter. Divide evenly:
- Leave one half plain for the vanilla layer.
- Blend the other half with strawberry JELL-O and puréed strawberries (for a smooth pink crumb with no flecks).
- Pour each batter into its own cake pan (3 total).
- Bake all layers at 350 °F for 22–25 minutes, or until set. Cool completely before frosting.
2. Assemble & Frost “Naked” Style
- Stack in this order: chocolate on bottom, then strawberry, then vanilla.
- Spread a thin, even smear of frosting (about 1–2 mm) between each cake layer—just enough to help them stick without hiding the edge.
- Using the remaining frosting, coat only the top and a very light veil on the sides, so each layer’s color remains visible. Aim for that “barely-there” crumb-coat finish; the cake layers should peek through at the edges.
3. Decorate
- Pipe a single buttercream swirl on the top edge (or two, if you like).
- If desired, add a few sprinkles—no heavy ganache drips or full side coverage. Keep it simple so the three stripes shine through.
- Slice to reveal those crisp Neapolitan stripes—fluffy, colorful, and effortlessly retro!