Description
Heavenly Neapolitan Cream Cupcakes combine classic vanilla, rich chocolate, and sweet strawberry flavors in a moist layered cupcake topped with creamy buttercream frosting. These bakery-style desserts are perfect for celebrations and offer a delightful twist on the traditional Neapolitan ice cream profile.
Ingredients
Scale
Cupcakes
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup whole milk
Flavoring
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1/3 cup strawberry preserves or strawberry puree
Frosting
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 12-cup muffin pan with cupcake liners to ensure the cupcakes bake evenly and don’t stick to the pan.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures the leavening agents and salt are evenly distributed in the flour.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which incorporates air for a tender cupcake texture.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, fully incorporating each before adding the next. Then mix in the vanilla extract for flavor.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Add the dry ingredients alternately with the milk into the creamed mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined to avoid overmixing and tough cupcakes.
- Divide and Flavor Batter: Split the batter evenly into three separate bowls. To one, add cocoa powder and 2 tablespoons of milk; to the second, fold in the strawberry preserves or puree; leave the third as plain vanilla.
- Layer Batter in Liners: Spoon each flavored batter into cupcake liners, either layering or placing side by side to create the signature Neapolitan look in each cupcake.
- Bake: Bake for 18 to 22 minutes at 350°F, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, ensuring the cupcakes are fully cooked.
- Cool: Allow cupcakes to cool completely in the pan before removing and frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- Make Frosting: Beat the softened butter until creamy; gradually add powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla extract. Beat until the frosting is smooth and fluffy, perfect for spreading or piping.
- Frost Cupcakes: Once cupcakes are completely cooled, frost as desired, optionally tinting parts of the frosting pink or chocolate for color coordination with the cupcake flavors.
Notes
- For more defined layers, pipe each flavor separately into the cupcake liners rather than spooning.
- Tint part of the buttercream frosting pink or chocolate brown to match the corresponding cupcake layers for a visually striking presentation.
- Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for best mixing results.
- Use high-quality strawberry preserves or puree for the best flavor.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
