Irresistible Neapolitan Cupcakes: A Perfect Family Baking Project

There’s something truly magical about baking, especially when shared with loved ones. For our family, the kitchen often transforms into a hub of creativity, laughter, and delicious aromas. My twins absolutely adore spending time cooking and baking with me, and these Neapolitan cupcakes became a particularly memorable project. We had envisioned creating these vibrant, multi-layered treats for a while and decided that Spring Break was the perfect opportunity to bring our sweet vision to life. It was a fantastic way to spend quality time together, making something beautiful and incredibly tasty.

Neapolitan cupcakes, inspired by the classic Italian ice cream flavor, offer a delightful combination of chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla. This harmonious trio isn’t just visually appealing; it delivers a balanced flavor profile that caters to everyone’s preferences. Each bite brings a nostalgic taste, reminiscent of childhood ice cream cones and sunny afternoons. The distinct layers of cake and the complementary frostings ensure a multifaceted dessert experience that is both comforting and exciting.

A beautiful cross-section revealing all three distinct cake flavors.

Elevating Boxed Cake Mix with Homemade Frosting

While the idea of baking entirely from scratch is wonderful, sometimes convenience is key, especially when baking with eager young helpers or preparing for a large gathering. For these Neapolitan cupcakes, we opted for boxed cake mixes to simplify the process and ensure consistent results. This approach allowed us to focus our creative energy on the star of the show: the decadent homemade frostings. By using pre-made cake mixes for the strawberry, chocolate, and white vanilla layers, we saved significant time without compromising on flavor.

However, choosing a boxed mix doesn’t mean sacrificing quality. There are several simple tricks to elevate a standard cake mix and give it that “bakery-made” taste. For example, substituting milk for water, adding an extra egg, or even a tablespoon of instant pudding mix can significantly improve the texture and richness of the cake. For our white cake mix, we specifically followed the “egg white only” instructions to maintain a pristine white color, then enhanced it with an extra teaspoon or two of pure vanilla extract for a more robust flavor. These small adjustments make a big difference, transforming a basic mix into a moist, flavorful foundation for our delightful cupcakes.

The irresistible prettiness of freshly frosted Neapolitan treats.

Crafting the Perfect Trio of Homemade Frostings

The true magic of these Neapolitan cupcakes lies in their luscious, homemade frostings. While the cake offers the foundational flavors, the creamy, rich frostings are what truly bring the “Neapolitan” experience to life. Making frosting from scratch allows for unparalleled control over flavor intensity, sweetness, and texture, resulting in a far superior taste compared to store-bought alternatives. We dedicated ourselves to crafting three distinct frosting flavors, each designed to perfectly complement its corresponding cake layer.

For the classic vanilla frosting, we started with softened butter and gradually incorporated powdered sugar, a generous amount of pure vanilla extract, and just enough milk to achieve a smooth, pipeable consistency. This creates a fluffy, subtly sweet frosting that truly shines. The strawberry frosting was a vibrant addition, made by combining butter, powdered sugar, and a touch of Hershey’s strawberry ice cream syrup. This syrup not only imparts a beautiful pink hue but also infuses the frosting with an authentic, fruity strawberry flavor that tastes incredibly fresh. Finally, for the rich chocolate frosting, we blended butter with unsweetened cocoa powder, powdered sugar, a pinch of salt to enhance the chocolate’s depth, vanilla extract, and a splash of milk. The result was a velvety, intensely chocolatey frosting that perfectly rounded out the Neapolitan trio.

Each frosting was beaten until light and airy, ensuring a delightful mouthfeel. The process of creaming butter, sifting sugar, and gradually adding liquids is meditative, and the reward is a truly magnificent frosting that elevates these cupcakes from good to extraordinary. The distinct colors and flavors of these homemade frostings are what make these Neapolitan cupcakes an absolute showstopper.

Baking in Quantity: 60 Cupcakes for Every Occasion

Be warned: this recipe yields a substantial batch of cupcakes! To be precise, our efforts resulted in a magnificent total of 60 individual Neapolitan cupcakes. While this might seem like an overwhelming number for a small family, it’s actually incredibly practical and offers fantastic opportunities for sharing and celebrating. Baking in bulk is ideal for various events and gatherings, ensuring you have plenty to go around.

These generously portioned cupcakes are perfect for larger family events, school functions, or community gatherings. They shine as a dessert offering at potlucks, church events, or holiday parties. The beautiful three-color presentation makes them particularly suitable for more formal occasions as well. Imagine a tiered display of these stunning treats at a wedding shower, baby shower, or engagement party – they would undoubtedly be a charming and delicious focal point, offering a sophisticated yet playful dessert option that guests of all ages would adore.

Imagine how beautifully these cupcakes would adorn a wedding shower dessert table!

In fact, the very next day after we baked them, I proudly brought a large platter of these delightful Neapolitan cupcakes to our church for the weekly Lenten Fish Fry. They were an instant hit, providing a sweet and colorful ending to the meal. The variety of flavors meant there was something for everyone, and the homemade frosting truly made them stand out. Baking such a large quantity ensures that there’s always enough to spread joy and share a little bit of homemade goodness with everyone you meet.

Who could resist one of these delightful Neapolitan cupcakes?

Tips for Achieving Perfect Neapolitan Layers and Decoration

Creating the signature layered look of Neapolitan cupcakes is simpler than you might think. The key is to spoon the batter into the cupcake liners strategically. After preparing each cake mix according to its instructions, you’ll have three distinct bowls of batter. For each cupcake liner, aim to use roughly one-third of each batter flavor. You can do this by spooning a small amount of one flavor, then another, then the third, gently swirling them with a toothpick if desired to create a marble effect, or keeping them separate for more defined layers. I enjoyed alternating which color ended up on top for a varied and playful presentation.

When it comes to frosting, the possibilities for decoration are endless. For a classic Neapolitan swirl, you can combine small amounts of each frosting flavor in a single piping bag fitted with a large star tip. As you pipe, the three colors will emerge simultaneously, creating a beautiful and appetizing swirl. Alternatively, you can pipe each flavor individually, creating distinct domes or swirls, and then adding sprinkles, chocolate shavings, or fresh strawberry slices for an extra touch of elegance. The homemade frostings are wonderfully pliable, making them a joy to work with, whether you’re a novice baker or an experienced decorator.

We hope you enjoy making and sharing these delightful Neapolitan cupcakes as much as we did. Happy baking!

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Neapolitan Cupcakes and one cut in half on a white surface

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Print Recipe

Neapolitan Cupcakes

Chocolate, Strawberry and Vanilla come together in these delicious Neapolitan Cupcakes. Perfect for parties, family gatherings, or a sweet treat anytime.

Prep Time

15 minutes

Cook Time

17 minutes

Total Time

32 minutes

Cuisine:
American

Keyword:
Neapolitan Cupcakes, Chocolate Strawberry Vanilla Cupcakes, Easy Cupcake Recipe

Servings:

60
cupcakes

Calories:

154
kcal

Author:
Michaela Kenkel

Ingredients

1 box strawberry cake mix made according to box instructions
1 box chocolate cake mix made according to box instructions
1 box white cake mix made according to box (egg white only) instructions + add 2 teaspoons vanilla extract for enhanced flavor
For the Homemade Frosting:
For the white (vanilla) frosting: 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened, 4 cups powdered sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract, about 1/4 cup milk (add more if needed for desired consistency).
For the strawberry frosting: 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened, 4 cups powdered sugar, 1/4 cup Hershey’s strawberry ice cream syrup (or similar brand), a few drops of red food coloring (optional, for vibrant color).
For the chocolate frosting: 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened, 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar, a dash of salt, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, and 1/4 cup milk (add more if needed for desired consistency).

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
Prepare your cupcake pans by lining them with paper liners. This recipe yields a large batch, so have multiple pans ready.
Prepare each cake mix (strawberry, chocolate, and white) separately according to the package instructions. Remember to add 2 teaspoons of vanilla to the white cake mix for extra flavor.
To create the Neapolitan layers, spoon approximately one-third of each batter (strawberry, chocolate, vanilla) into each cupcake liner. You can do this randomly for a marbled effect or carefully layer them for distinct stripes.
I found it fun to alternate which color ended up on top of each cupcake for a diverse and appealing presentation.
Bake the cupcakes for 17-18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Baking times may vary slightly by oven, so keep an eye on them.
Allow the cupcakes to cool completely on a wire rack before attempting to frost them. This is crucial for preventing the frosting from melting.

For the Homemade Frostings:

For each frosting flavor (vanilla, strawberry, chocolate), begin by creaming the softened butter in a stand mixer or with a hand mixer until light and fluffy.
Gradually add the powdered sugar, alternating with the wet ingredients specific to each frosting (vanilla and milk for white; strawberry syrup for strawberry; cocoa, salt, vanilla, and milk for chocolate). Beat until smooth, creamy, and spreadable. Adjust milk quantities slightly to achieve your desired consistency.
Once the cupcakes are completely cooled, you can frost them using a knife, spatula, or piping bag. For a classic Neapolitan look, pipe each frosting color individually onto the cupcakes, or combine them in one piping bag for a swirled effect. Enjoy!

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