Indulge your sweet tooth with the perfect blend of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry flavors in this delightful Neapolitan Cupcake Recipe. These cupcakes are a classic that has been enjoyed for generations, and for good reason. These cupcakes are visually stunning with their tri-color stripes and are the perfect treat for any occasion. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just for fun, this recipe is easy to follow and guarantees a delicious result.

Dessert Recipes are something that everyone loves to indulge in, and cupcakes are some of the sweetest treats to bake. Whether it’s a special occasion or you just want to whip up something for your family, cupcakes always manage to bring a smile to everyone’s face.

With endless variations, you can customize your cupcakes to fit any theme or flavor profile you desire. From classic chocolate to fruity flavors like strawberry and lemon, there’s a cupcake recipe for every taste bud.

Easy Dessert Recipes

Easy dessert recipes are perfect for bakers of all skill levels, allowing anyone to create delicious treats with minimal effort. Whether you’re looking to impress guests or satisfy a sweet craving, these simple recipes ensure that delightful desserts are just a few steps away.

Ingredients Needed for these Cupcakes

Here’s what you need for this neapolitan recipe!

Cocoa Powder – Cocoa powder is such a key player in the Neapolitan cupcake recipe! It brings that rich chocolate flavor that perfectly balances the vanilla and strawberry layers. The deep, earthy tones create a nice contrast with the sweeter elements, making every bite a tasty experience.
Baking Soda – Baking soda is what helps the cupcakes rise and gives them that soft, fluffy texture we all love. When you mix it with acidic ingredients like cocoa powder in the batter, it creates carbon dioxide bubbles that form little air pockets.
Unsalted Butter – Unsalted butter gives you control over the sweetness and flavor, which is awesome. One of the best things about using unsalted butter is that you can tweak the salt to match your taste and keep everything balanced.
Canola Oil – The neutral flavor of canola oil really helps the chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry flavors shine without overpowering them. Plus, it adds moisture, which is a game-changer for getting that tender crumb.
Sugar – Sugar not only adds sweetness but also balances the flavors of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry layers. Plus, it helps create that nice, moist, and tender crumb we all love. When you cream the butter and sugar together, the sugar gets air in there, making the cupcakes light and fluffy—just what you want for a perfect rise!
Vanilla Extract – Vanilla really adds depth and warmth to the flavor. Those rich, aromatic notes perfectly complement the sweetness of the chocolate and strawberry layers, creating a lovely balance that makes every bite amazing.
Kosher Salt – The unique texture of kosher salt and flavor-boosting qualities really make a difference. The larger grains let you measure more easily, so you can get just the right amount without worrying about over-salting.
Large Egg – When you bake the cupcakes, the proteins in the egg coagulate, giving the cupcakes stability and helping them rise without collapsing. Plus, eggs bring moisture and richness to the batter, which boosts the flavor and creates that nice tender crumb we all love.
Heavy Whipping Cream – With its high fat content, this cream adds this rich and creamy texture that’s just divine. When you whip it up, it gives frostings and fillings a light, airy feel while still being decadent. The smoothness of heavy whipping cream really enhances the cupcakes, making each bite feel indulgent and satisfying.
Flour – Flour gives the cupcakes the structure and stability they need to rise and keep their shape. When flour mixes with liquid, the proteins, mainly gluten, kick in to create elasticity and that delightful chewiness we love in cupcakes. Plus, it helps absorb moisture, making for a tender crumb that perfectly balances the richness of the frosting and fillings.
Baking Powder – Baking powder serves as a leavening agent that contributes to the lightness and fluffiness of the cupcakes. It consists of a combination of an acid and a base, which react together when moistened and heated to produce carbon dioxide gas. This gas creates bubbles in the batter, allowing the cupcakes to rise and develop a soft, airy texture.
Whole Milk – Whole milk enhances moisture and richness and contributes to a tender crumb. It ensures the cupcakes are soft and moist, while also helping to balance the sweetness of the various layers—chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry.
Strawberry Extract – Strawberry extract is such a fun ingredient that gives the cupcakes that authentic strawberry flavor that just makes everything taste better. This concentrated extract captures the essence of fresh strawberries, so you get that intense fruitiness without adding extra moisture that real strawberries would.
Pink Food Coloring – Food coloring really amps up the visual appeal of the cupcakes! That bright pink color represents one of the cupcake’s signature layers—strawberry—creating a fun contrast with the rich chocolate and creamy vanilla layers.

Shop My Kitchen

Here are 45 cupcake recipes and ideas I think you will love!

Neapolitan Cupcake Recipe ingredient list

Baking Essentials at Amazon

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Can I Substitute Any Ingredients in This Recipe?

You can totally tweak this Neapolitan cupcake recipe to fit your dietary needs while still making it super delicious. For a dairy-free option, swap out the unsalted butter for coconut oil or a dairy-free butter alternative, and use almond or oat milk instead of whole milk. If you’re skipping eggs, flaxseed meal or applesauce work great as binders.

Neapolitan Cupcake Recipe in process ingredients

Want to cut back on sugar? Try using natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup, but just keep in mind that it might change the texture a bit. Just remember, while substitutions can totally work, they might change the taste and texture a little, so don’t be afraid to experiment and find what works for you!

Neapolitan Cupcake Recipe in process assembly

How Should I Store the Cupcakes?

To keep your Neapolitan cupcakes fresh and tasty, just pop them in an airtight container at room temperature, and they’ll stay good for about three days. If you want them to last a bit longer, stick them in the fridge for up to a week—just make sure they’re sealed tight to avoid drying out.

For even longer storage, you can freeze the unfrosted cupcakes! Just lay them out in a single layer in a freezer-safe container or wrap them well in plastic wrap, and they’ll be fine for up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, just thaw them at room temperature and frost them for the best taste and texture!

What If I Don’t Have Strawberry Extract?

No strawberry extract? No problem! You can still get that yummy strawberry flavor with some other ingredients. Fresh or frozen pureed strawberries are a great swap—they’ll add natural sweetness and a nice fruity vibe to your cupcakes. Just cut back a bit on the liquid in your recipe to keep the batter just right.

If you’re in a pinch, a few drops of strawberry essence or syrup work too! Just adjust to your taste to make sure the strawberry flavor pops without overpowering everything else. Remember, cooking is all about being creative, so feel free to experiment with what you’ve got!

Cupcake Essentials at Amazon

Amazon has a bunch of cupcake essentials perfect for everyone, whether you’re just starting out or a pro baker. You’ll find everything from high-quality baking pans and silicone molds to fun sprinkles and cupcake liners. It’s all you need to take your baking to the next level and whip up some amazing treats!

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Fun Cupcake Recipes

Fun cupcake recipes can really add some creativity and excitement to your baking! It’s a great chance to play around with flavors and decorations. Whether you’re making colorful tie-dye cupcakes or quirky themed ones, the options are endless for impressing both your taste buds and your friends!