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Cozy Fall Neapolitan Layer Cake: Easy Homemade Recipe

Cozy Fall Neapolitan Layer Cake - featured image
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A stunning three-layer cake featuring rich chocolate, tender vanilla, and sweet roasted apples, all wrapped in a creamy cream cheese frosting. It’s the perfect fall dessert that looks like a party but tastes like autumn.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 medium apples (such as Honeycrisp or Gala), peeled and diced
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 ½ cups (315g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk, room temperature
  • ¼ cup (60ml) hot coffee or water
  • 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 8 ounces (226g) cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3–4 cups (360-480g) powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Roast the Apples: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss diced apples with melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon on a baking sheet. Spread in a single layer. Roast for 15-20 minutes, stirring halfway, until tender and edges caramelize. Let cool completely.
  2. Preheat and Prep Pans: Lower oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease three 8-inch round cake pans. Line bottoms with parchment paper and grease the paper.
  3. Make Vanilla Cake Batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes. Scrape down sides as needed.
  4. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Beat in vanilla extract until smooth and glossy.
  5. Alternate Dry and Wet Ingredients: With mixer on low, add flour mixture in three additions, alternating with buttermilk, starting and ending with flour. Mix just until combined. Do not overmix.
  6. Divide and Flavor Batter: Divide batter evenly into three bowls (about 1 ½ cups each). Leave first bowl plain (vanilla). For second bowl (chocolate), whisk hot coffee and cocoa powder until smooth, then fold into batter. For third bowl (apple), gently fold in cooled roasted apples.
  7. Bake Layers: Pour each batter into prepared pans. Bake for 22-28 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a cooling rack to cool completely.
  8. Make Cream Cheese Frosting: In a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Beat in vanilla and salt. Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating on low. Once all added, beat on medium-high for 1-2 minutes until light and fluffy. If too soft, refrigerate for 15 minutes.
  9. Assemble Cake: Place one cooled cake layer (e.g., chocolate) on serving plate. Spread about ½ cup frosting evenly over top. Add second layer (vanilla) and repeat. Top with third layer (apple).
  10. Frost Outside: Apply a thin layer of frosting all over top and sides (crumb coat). Refrigerate for 20-30 minutes to set. Then apply remaining frosting in a thicker, even layer. Use offset spatula to create swirls or smooth finish.
  11. Chill and Serve: Refrigerate cake for at least 1 hour before slicing. Let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving.

Notes

Room temperature ingredients are crucial for a tender cake. Don’t overmix the batter. Use parchment paper for easy release. Chill the crumb coat to prevent crumbs in the final frosting layer. For clean slices, use a hot, dry serrated knife.

Nutrition

Keywords: fall cake, Neapolitan cake, layer cake, apple cake, chocolate cake, vanilla cake, cream cheese frosting, autumn dessert

Find it online: https://tastytuck.com/cozy-fall-neapolitan-layer-cake-easy-homemade-recipe/