These delightful Neapolitan Cupcakes bring together the classic trio of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry into one fun and tasty treat! Each cupcake has layers of rich chocolate, fluffy vanilla, and sweet strawberry cake batters baked into a beautiful and delicious bite-sized dessert. They’re perfect for parties, gatherings, or any occasion where you want to impress with a colorful and flavorful presentation. The real beauty of these cupcakes lies in how the layers bake together, offering a taste of each flavor in every bite. Top them off with a swirl of vanilla buttercream frosting for the ultimate indulgence!
Ingredients:
For the Cupcakes:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup milk
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ cup strawberry jam or puree
- Pink food coloring (optional)
For the Vanilla Buttercream Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2-3 tbsp milk
Instructions:
- Prepare the Cupcake Batter: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cupcake pan with cupcake liners. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Gradually add the flour mixture, alternating with the milk, until fully combined.
- Divide the Batter: Divide the batter evenly into three bowls. In the first bowl, add the cocoa powder and mix until combined to create the chocolate layer. In the second bowl, add the strawberry jam or puree and a few drops of pink food coloring, if desired, to make the strawberry layer. Leave the third bowl plain for the vanilla layer.
- Layer the Batter: Spoon a tablespoon of the chocolate batter into the bottom of each cupcake liner, smoothing it out. Next, add a tablespoon of vanilla batter, followed by the strawberry batter on top.
- Bake: Bake the cupcakes for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cupcakes cool completely before frosting.
- Make the Buttercream Frosting: In a large bowl, beat the butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, followed by the vanilla extract and milk. Beat until light and fluffy.
- Frost and Serve: Once the cupcakes have cooled, frost them with the vanilla buttercream. You can pipe the frosting in a swirl to complement the Neapolitan layers, or spread it on with a knife.
Enjoy these beautiful Neapolitan cupcakes, where each bite brings a trio of flavors!
