Neapolitan Cupcakes
You don’t have to eat ice cream to enjoy the classic flavor of Neapolitan. Make these Neapolitan Cupcakes and you’ll get thestrawberry, vanilla, and chocolate all layered together in one perfect cupcake. These cupcakes look impressive but since they start with a mix they’re oh so easy! Perfect for parties, bake sales, or anytime you want a little wow factor without too much fuss.
What Exactly Is Neapolitan?
Neapolitan flavors bring together chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry in one nostalgic American treat. The combo dates back to 19th-century Italian immigrants, who first served various combinations of striped ice cream loaves in multiple flavors. The most popular of these flavors was pistachio, strawberry, and strawberry and represented the Italian Flag.
Over time, chocolate, vanilla and strawberry became more popular as the flavors were easy to source and everyone loved them. And soon this combination became what Americans call Neapolitan today.
In these cupcakes we blend layers of chocolate and vanilla cake and top it with homemade strawberry frosting. A sprinkle of chocolate chips finishes off these sweet cupcakes.
Potluck and Party Desserts
This recipes makes a 4 dozen cupcakes. It’s perfect for big birthday parties when you need to feed a crowd. Or make them for picnics and potlucks when there will be a lot of people ready for a portable dessert they can carry off.
What You Need To Make Neapolitan Cupcakes
When you’re shopping be sure to add all your ingredients to your shopping list. You don’t want to run out of eggs or butter when you’re making this recipe.
- chocolate cake mix
- vanilla cake mix
- eggs
- vegetable oil
- water
- unsalted butter
- powdered sugar
- strawberry emulsion flavoring-see notes below
- salt
- milk
- mini chocolate chips
Strawberry Emulsion?
If you don’t have strawberry emulsion, you’ve got a few good options depending on the recipe. Strawberry extract works as the closest swap since it also delivers concentrated flavor. Use the same amount of extract in place of the emulsion.
You can buy or make freeze-dried strawberries to add flavor and color to the frosting. Freeze dried strawberries can be ground into a fine powder and added to the frosting without changing texture too much.
How To Store Cupcakes
Store these cupcakes on the counter at room temp for up to 24 hours. Then store them in the fridge after that. Let them warm up a bit before serving for best texture.
Neapolitan Cupcakes
Ingredients
For the cupcakes
- 1 box chocolate cake mix
- 1 box vanilla cake mix
- 6 eggs
- 1 cup oil divided
- 2 cups water divided
For the frosting
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp strawberry emulsion flavoring
- ½ tsp salt
- 3 tbsps milk
- Mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line standard muffin tins with cupcake liners
- In a stand mixer, combine chocolate cake mix, 3 eggs, ½ cup oil, and 1 cup water
- Mix on low until combined, then on medium for 2 minutes, scraping the sides as needed
- Repeat the process in a clean bowl for the vanilla cake mix using the remaining eggs, oil, and water
- Scoop one portion of chocolate batter into each cupcake liner
- Top each with an equal portion of vanilla batter
- Bake for 14–16 minutes or until the centers are set
- Cool completely before frosting
- In a stand mixer, beat butter, salt, and half the powdered sugar on low until combined
- Add remaining powdered sugar, strawberry emulsion, and milk, then mix on low until combined
- Increase speed to medium and beat for 2–3 minutes until light and fluffy
- Transfer frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip
- Pipe frosting onto each cooled cupcake and sprinkle with mini chocolate chips
