The Neapolitan Cupcakes combine three delightful flavors - chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry - into one cupcake. Each bite gives you a burst of different flavors, making it a perfect treat for those who love variety in their dessert. The recipe involves making two types of cupcakes - chocolate and vanilla - and topping it off with a delicious strawberry frosting.
The ingredients for this recipe are mostly common pantry items. However, unsweetened cocoa powder and cake flour may not be readily available in every home. Unsweetened cocoa powder, used in the chocolate cupcake, gives it a rich, deep chocolate flavor. Cake flour, used in the vanilla cupcake, is a low protein flour that creates a lighter, more tender texture. You might need to add these two items to your shopping list.
Neapolitan Cupcakes Recipe Ingredients
Unsweetened cocoa powder: This gives a deep, real chocolate flavor to the chocolate cupcake.
Baking soda: It helps the cupcake rise while baking, making it light and fluffy.
Butter: Butter adds richness and moisture to the cupcakes.
Vegetable oil: This adds moisture and helps to keep the cupcakes soft.
Granulated sugar: It adds sweetness to the cupcakes.
Vanilla extract: This gives both the chocolate and vanilla cupcakes their classic flavors.
Salt: A pinch of salt enhances all the other flavors.
Eggs: Eggs add structure and leavening to the cupcakes.
Heavy cream: It contributes to the richness and moisture of the chocolate cupcake.
All-purpose flour: This is the base of the chocolate cupcake, providing structure.
Cake flour: This is used in the vanilla cupcake for a lighter, softer crumb.
Baking powder: It helps the vanilla cupcake rise and become light.
Vanilla bean: This gives an intense, pure vanilla flavor to the vanilla cupcake.
Egg whites: These help to lighten the texture of the vanilla cupcake.
Milk: It adds moisture to the vanilla cupcake.
Strawberry buttercream frosting: This is the sweet, fruity topping that brings all the flavors together.
One reader, Cynthie Peek says:
I recently tried the Neapolitan cupcakes recipe and it was a delightful treat! The combination of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry flavors was a hit with my family. The cupcakes turned out moist and flavorful, and the strawberry buttercream frosting was the perfect finishing touch. I highly recommend trying this recipe!
Techniques Required for Making Neapolitan Cupcakes
How to prepare chocolate cupcake batter: Whisk together cocoa powder and baking soda, then carefully pour in boiling water and blend until well combined. Allow to cool before mixing with melted butter, oil, sugar, vanilla, salt, egg, egg yolk, and heavy cream. Slowly mix in the flour until combined.
How to prepare white vanilla cupcake batter: Sift cake flour, baking powder, and salt, then set aside. Whip together butter and sugar with vanilla bean seeds until pale and fluffy. In a separate bowl, whisk together milk, egg whites, and vanilla extract. Gradually add the flour mixture and milk mixture to the butter and sugar mixture, mixing until well combined.
How to bake Neapolitan cupcakes: Spoon chocolate cupcake batter into lined muffin cups, then spread into an even layer. Dollop white vanilla cupcake batter over the chocolate layer and spread evenly. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 16 to 19 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cupcakes to cool before frosting.
How To Make Neapolitan Cupcakes
These unique Neapolitan cupcakes comes with different flavors of chocolate, vanilla and strawberry! Bake up a sweet batch of this in just under two hours.
Serves:
Ingredients
For Chocolate Cupcake:
- ⅓cupunsweetend cocoa powder
- ½tspbaking soda
- ½cupboiling water
- ¼cupunsalted butter,melted
- 2½tbspvegetable oil,or canola oil
- ¾cupgranulated sugar,plus 2 tbsp
- ¾tspvanilla extract
- ¼tspsalt
- 1large egg
- 1large egg yolk,reserve the white
- ¼cupheavy cream
- 1cupall-purpose flour
For White Vanilla Cupcake:
- 1½cupscake flour
- 1½tspbaking powder
- ¼tspsalt
- 7tbspunsalted butter,softened
- ¾cupgranulated sugar
- ½large vanilla bean,seeds
- 3large egg whites
- ½cupmilk,anything but skim
- ½tspvanilla extract
- strawberry buttercream frosting
Instructions
Chocolate Cupcake:
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
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In large heat proof mixing bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder and baking soda.
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Carefully pour in the boiling water, then whisk until the bubbling subsides and the mixture is well blended.
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Allow to cool for 5 minutes.
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In a separate large mixing bowl, using an electric hand mixer set on low speed, blend together the melted butter, vegetable oil, granulated sugar, vanilla and salt for 30 seconds until well combined.
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Stir in the egg and egg yolk.
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Blend in the cocoa mixture, then add in the heavy cream and blend.
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Slowly mix in the flour, then blend until combined, while scraping down sides and bottom of bowl.
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Spoon an even 2 tablespoon of the batter into the bottom of 22 paper lined muffin cups.
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Spread into an even layer, then set aside.
White Vanilla Cupcake:
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Sift the cake flour into a medium mixing bowl.
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Add the baking powder and salt, then whisk the mixture for 20 seconds. Set aside.
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In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, whip together the butter and sugar with vanilla bean seeds on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy.
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In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the milk, egg whites and vanilla extract until well blended.
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Add ⅓ of the flour mixture to butter and sugar mixture, then mix until combined.
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Add ½ of the milk and egg mixture, then mix on low speed until combined.
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Increase to medium speed, then mix for 1 minute until fluffy.
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Add another ⅓ of the flour mixture, then mix until combined.
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Add the remaining ½ of the milk and egg mixture, then mix on low until combined.
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Increase the speed to medium, then mix for 1 minute until it has the consistency similar to fluffy mousse.
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Add last ⅓ of the flour mixture and mix until well combined.
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Gently dollop a heaping ⅛ cup of the batter over the chocolate layer in the cupcake wells. Carefully spread the batter evenly to edges.
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Bake in the oven for 16 to 19 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cupcake comes out clean.
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Cool in the baking sheet for several minutes, then transfer the cupcakes to a wire rack to cool completely.
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Pipe or spread the strawberry frosting over the cupcakes once cooled.
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Serve, and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
- Check out our Strawberry Buttercream Frosting Recipe and make 2 batches of it for this recipe!
Nutrition
- Calories: 197.24kcal
- Fat: 9.27g
- Saturated Fat: 4.75g
- Trans Fat: 0.25g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 3.22g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.68g
- Carbohydrates: 26.56g
- Fiber: 0.79g
- Sugar: 14.13g
- Protein: 2.80g
- Cholesterol: 36.36mg
- Sodium: 122.43mg
- Calcium: 39.61mg
- Potassium: 58.97mg
- Iron: 1.24mg
- Vitamin A: 68.80µg
- Vitamin C: 0.02mg
Technique Tip for Perfect Neapolitan Cupcakes
When making the strawberry buttercream frosting, ensure that your butter is at room temperature. This will make it easier to whip and will result in a smoother, creamier frosting. Additionally, when adding the powdered sugar, do it gradually to avoid a grainy texture. Lastly, don't forget to taste as you go, adjusting the sweetness or strawberry flavor as needed to suit your preference.
Time-Saving Tips for Making Neapolitan Cupcakes Recipe
Prep ahead: Prepare the chocolate and vanilla batters the night before and store them in the refrigerator. This will save time on the day of baking.
Use a stand mixer: Utilize a stand mixer to efficiently mix the batter, allowing you to multitask and prepare other components of the recipe simultaneously.
Organize ingredients: Prior to starting the recipe, ensure all ingredients and equipment are organized and readily accessible to streamline the cooking process.
Bake in batches: If your oven space allows, bake the cupcakes in batches to expedite the overall baking time.
Clean as you go: Wash and put away utensils and equipment as you progress through the recipe to minimize clutter and save time during cleanup.
Opt for store-bought: Consider using store-bought frosting to save time, or prepare the frosting in advance and store it in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Streamline decorations: Simplify the cupcake decorations by using pre-made toppings or opting for a minimalist design to reduce preparation time.
Utilize disposable piping bags: Use disposable piping bags for frosting to eliminate the need for washing and reusing traditional piping equipment.
Substitute Ingredients For Neapolitan Cupcakes Recipe
unsweetened cocoa powder - Substitute with cacao powder: Cacao powder is a healthier alternative to cocoa powder as it is less processed and retains more nutrients.
unsalted butter - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil can be used as a dairy-free alternative and adds a subtle coconut flavor to the cupcakes.
vegetable oil - Substitute with applesauce: Applesauce can be used as a healthier substitute for oil, adding moisture to the cupcakes without the added fat.
granulated sugar - Substitute with coconut sugar: Coconut sugar is a natural sweetener with a lower glycemic index, providing a healthier alternative to granulated sugar.
heavy cream - Substitute with coconut cream: Coconut cream can be used as a dairy-free alternative, adding richness and a hint of coconut flavor to the cupcakes.
cake flour - Substitute with all-purpose flour: All-purpose flour can be used as a substitute for cake flour by adding a small amount of cornstarch to mimic the texture of cake flour.
unsalted butter - Substitute with margarine: Margarine can be used as a dairy-free alternative to butter, providing a similar texture and flavor to the cupcakes.
vanilla bean - Substitute with vanilla extract: Vanilla extract can be used as a substitute for vanilla bean, providing a similar flavor without the need for scraping the seeds from the bean.
egg whites - Substitute with aquafaba: Aquafaba, the liquid from canned chickpeas, can be whipped to replace egg whites in the cupcake batter.
milk - Substitute with almond milk: Almond milk can be used as a dairy-free alternative, adding a subtle nutty flavor to the cupcakes.
strawberry buttercream frosting - Substitute with raspberry buttercream frosting: Raspberry buttercream frosting can be used as an alternative, providing a similar fruity flavor to complement the cupcakes.
Presentation Ideas for Neapolitan Cupcakes
Elevate the plating: When presenting the Neapolitan cupcakes, focus on creating an elegant and visually appealing presentation. Use fine china or elegant dessert plates to showcase the cupcakes in a sophisticated manner.
Incorporate artistic elements: Consider incorporating artistic elements into the plating, such as delicate chocolate shavings or edible flower petals, to add a touch of sophistication and artistry to the presentation.
Utilize color contrast: Arrange the Neapolitan cupcakes on the plate in a way that highlights the contrast between the chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry layers, creating a visually stunning and appetizing display.
Add a touch of luxury: Consider serving the cupcakes with a side of fresh berries or a drizzle of gourmet chocolate or strawberry sauce to add a touch of luxury and elevate the overall presentation.
Attention to detail: Pay attention to the finer details, such as ensuring the frosting is piped or spread meticulously, and the cupcakes are arranged neatly on the plate to showcase precision and culinary expertise.
Garnish with fresh herbs: Consider garnishing the plate with a sprig of fresh mint or a dusting of powdered sugar to add a pop of color and a hint of freshness to the presentation.
Create a symmetrical layout: Arrange the cupcakes in a symmetrical and balanced layout on the plate, paying attention to spacing and alignment to create a visually appealing and professional presentation.
Use high-quality serveware: Opt for high-quality serveware, such as elegant dessert stands or polished silver platters, to elevate the presentation and create a sense of refinement and sophistication.
Essential Tools for Making Neapolitan Cupcakes
Mixing bowl: A mixing bowl is essential for combining ingredients and mixing batters or doughs. It comes in various sizes and materials, such as stainless steel, glass, or plastic.
Electric hand mixer: An electric hand mixer is used for blending and mixing ingredients to achieve a smooth and consistent texture, especially for cake batters and frostings.
Sifter: A sifter is used to aerate and break up clumps in dry ingredients such as flour, cocoa powder, or powdered sugar, ensuring a smoother and lighter texture in the final baked goods.
Muffin pan: A muffin pan, also known as a cupcake tin, is used to bake individual cupcakes or muffins. It typically has 6 or 12 cup molds.
Paper liners: Paper liners are used to line the muffin pan, preventing the cupcakes from sticking and making it easier to remove them after baking.
Electric stand mixer: An electric stand mixer is a versatile tool for mixing, whipping, and kneading, making it ideal for preparing cake batters and frostings.
Piping bag: A piping bag is used to pipe frosting onto the cupcakes, creating decorative swirls or designs.
Cupcake corer: A cupcake corer is a small tool used to remove the center of the cupcake, creating space for fillings or creating a neapolitan effect.
Storing and Freezing Neapolitan Cupcakes
Here are the storing and freezing guidelines for Neapolitan cupcakes:
- Allow the cupcakes to cool completely on a wire rack before storing or freezing.
- To store, place the cooled cupcakes in an airtight container. If you've frosted them with the strawberry buttercream, add a layer of wax paper between each layer of cupcakes to prevent the frosting from sticking.
- Store the container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Let the cupcakes come to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and texture.
- For longer storage, you can freeze the Neapolitan cupcakes. Wrap each unfrosted cupcake individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container or resealable plastic bag.
- If you want to freeze frosted cupcakes, place them on a baking sheet and freeze until the frosting is solid. Then, wrap each cupcake in plastic wrap and store in a freezer-safe container.
- Frozen cupcakes can be stored for up to 2-3 months. To thaw, remove the desired number of cupcakes from the freezer and let them thaw in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for a few hours.
- If you've frozen unfrosted cupcakes, you can frost them once they've thawed. If you've frozen frosted cupcakes, allow the frosting to thaw completely before serving.
How To Reheat Leftover Neapolitan Cupcakes
The best way to reheat leftover neapolitan cupcakes is to place them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes, or until they are heated through. This method helps to restore the texture and flavor of the cupcakes without drying them out or making them soggy.
Another option is to use a microwave, but be careful not to overheat the cupcakes as this can cause them to become rubbery. Place the cupcake on a microwave-safe plate and heat it in 10-second intervals, checking after each interval until it reaches the desired temperature.
If you want to reheat multiple cupcakes at once, you can place them in a covered baking dish with a small amount of water at the bottom. This creates a steaming effect that helps to keep the cupcakes moist while they reheat in the oven.
For a quicker option, you can also reheat the cupcakes in an air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and place the cupcakes in the basket, making sure they are not touching each other. Heat for 2-3 minutes, or until they are warmed through.
If you have frosting on your neapolitan cupcakes, be cautious when reheating as it may melt or become too soft. You can remove the frosting before reheating and then reapply it once the cupcakes are warmed, or simply allow the cupcakes to come to room temperature on their own.
Random Fact About Neapolitan Cupcakes
The Neapolitan cupcake is inspired by the classic Neapolitan ice cream, which features layers of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry flavors. This cupcake recipe captures the essence of the beloved ice cream in a delightful and portable treat.
Is Making Neapolitan Cupcakes at Home Cost-Effective?
The cost-effectiveness of this Neapolitan Cupcakes recipe largely depends on the availability and current market prices of the ingredients. The use of common pantry staples like flour, sugar, and cocoa powder can make it relatively cost-effective. However, the inclusion of specific items like vanilla bean and heavy cream may slightly elevate the overall cost. Considering the yield and the joy it brings, this recipe can be rated 8/10 for its delightful outcome. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people would be around $15-$20, factoring in the use of quality ingredients.
Are Neapolitan Cupcakes Healthy or Unhealthy?
This Neapolitan cupcake recipe, while undeniably delicious, is not particularly healthy. The main concerns are:
- High sugar content from the granulated sugar and likely the strawberry buttercream frosting
- Significant amount of saturated fat from the butter and heavy cream
- Refined carbohydrates from the all-purpose and cake flours
- Lack of nutritional value, as it contains no fruits, vegetables, or whole grains
However, there are ways to make this recipe healthier without sacrificing too much on taste and texture:
- Reduce the sugar content by using a sugar substitute or decreasing the amount of granulated sugar
- Replace some of the butter with healthier fats like olive oil or mashed avocado
- Swap out half of the all-purpose and cake flours with whole wheat pastry flour for added fiber and nutrients
- Incorporate fresh strawberries into the buttercream frosting for a natural sweetness and pop of color
- Top the cupcakes with fresh fruit like sliced strawberries or raspberries for an extra nutritional boost
- Use low-fat milk instead of whole milk to reduce the overall fat content
- Experiment with using Greek yogurt in place of some of the butter or oil for added protein and moisture
By making these adjustments, you can create a healthier version of these Neapolitan cupcakes that still satisfy your sweet tooth without all the guilt.
Editor's Thoughts on This Delightful Neapolitan Treat
The Neapolitan cupcakes recipe is a delightful twist on the classic dessert. The combination of rich chocolate and delicate vanilla layers creates a harmonious balance of flavors. The addition of strawberry buttercream frosting adds a burst of fruity sweetness, elevating the overall taste experience. The detailed instructions ensure a successful baking process, resulting in moist and flavorful cupcakes. This recipe is a perfect choice for special occasions or simply to indulge in a delicious treat.
Enhance Your Neapolitan Cupcakes Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:
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Why trust this Neapolitan Cupcakes Recipe:
This Neapolitan cupcake recipe is a delightful fusion of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry flavors, ensuring a delightful treat for any occasion. The meticulous instructions guarantee a moist and flavorful crumb, while the use of high-quality ingredients such as cocoa powder, vanilla bean, and fresh strawberries ensures a delectable taste experience. The careful blending of butter and vegetable oil results in a perfect texture, and the addition of heavy cream and egg whites promises a rich and creamy mouthfeel. Trust this recipe for a delightful and visually stunning dessert experience.
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