Neapolitan Cake **EASY BEGINNER RECIPE**

This is the cake for my last babies first birthday!  I started making my own cakes for my kids when my first daughter was two.  My logic is, the one thing they remember is usually the cake and what it looked like.  It is the star of the spread.  Why would I want to outsource that?  I do not do that with any other "star" at any other big event.  I then started doing some youtubing for simple cake decorating techniques and how to use certain tips.  Then I was blessed with a huge cake decorating kit from a dear friend who did not wish to decorate cakes any longer AND my mother in law has been passing on her cake pans that she no longer uses.  I have quite a supply.  But, you do not have to have a ton of stuff to decorate your own cakes. A simple starter kit is perfect!  Those can be picked up at any arts store or cake supply store and they always have a coupon. 

This year I am doing a great cake that is ideal for starting out. In this situation I have two cakes, a large half sheet and a round.  The half sheet for the guests and the round for my baby girl.  I am also keeping the large cake in the pan because I am incorporating it.  I highly recommend doing this if you can.  You can always do one smaller one for a "showy" piece. But my experience, people seem to love a cake that tastes great and looks cute and you do not have to be the Ace Of Cakes to accomplish this. 

This cake is a Neapolitan cake (Chocolate, Vanilla and Strawberry).  DONT FREAK OUT! You do not have to bake 10 cakes and cut them and layer them.  This is not a PINTEREST all star recipe.  This is a busy mom who want to take something simple and make it special. 

STEP 1:  But 3 boxes of cake mix. (I purchased chocolate, strawberry and vanilla) but you can use any kind you wish.  My tip is to keep the mix of the same brand.  The recipes will not be too far off and the cook times are usually the same.

STEP 2:  Start mixing the lightest color first. LOT OF TIP HERE.
          TIP 1:  Hand mix with a wisk.  Over mixed cake batter can ruin a cake in my opinion.  Everything needs to be incorporated but not beaten half to death.
         TIP 2:  Add more extract to the cakes.  If you can get flavored extracts they are worth the investment.  They always brighten cakes and you can even use them in things like boxed brownie mixes or cookies.  For white I used vanilla.  Strawberry, strawberry of course.  And there is not a chocolate extract.  So move on to step 3.
         TIP 3:  Instant Coffee is chocolate cakes best friend!  This stuff sends you cake over the top.  I do not drink instant coffee, so I just buy the pre portioned to go packs of instant coffee.  Folgers has them and even starbucks.  One pack per cake mix or recipe.
        
STEP 3:  Make sure you have well greased and floured cake pan. Make sure you do the flouring.  To do this you just grease the pan with non stick spray, butter or oil.  Then dust it with flour and roll and tap the pan to make sure it works around to stick on the greases surface.
         TIP: Just buy bakers joy (a spray that has flour and greasing agent) OR Wilton's Cake Release. 

STEP 4:  I have a large half sheet pan that I use, however, you can use two smaller pans for this recipe.  However you decide to do it, divide the batter according to the pan sizes. 

For the large pan I put white on one side and strawberry on the other.  Do not worry about the blending.  Cake batter is too dense to blend.  To keep it on one side to start, simply tilt the pan SLIGHTLY.

 

For the round cake, I put the white cake around the edges and the strawberry in the middle. 

This is about one cup of batter each, maybe just a smidge more.  

 

Adding the chocolate is not difficult.  For the larger cake I wanted to marble it a bit.  I just poured the chocolate batter down the line of the strawberry and white.  Afterwards, I simply used a spoon and drug the chocolate batter through the other flavors.  Again, you do not have to worry about one coloring taking over because cake batter is too dense for that.

 

The circle cake can be done the same way or you can simply and gently spread the chocolate batter over the top and gently spread it out.  It is totally up to you.  The only way the batters will combine in a non marble way is if you physically blend them or your batter was too thin, which is nearly impossible if you follow box cake instructions.

 

There really is no limit as to how you can do this.  Just be creative. 

 

When it cooks, It will NOT blend together.  It should actually look a lot like it did before you stuck it in the oven.

See....the same, minus the whole I put in the center to check for doneness. 

 

I am not going to decorate for this post, but here are some tips about basic cake baking and readiness that works for me.

 

TIP 1:  Always set you timer and set it for 10-15 minutes prior to the recommended bake time.

TIP 2:  If you can smell it, check it. 

TIP 3: When you check it, if it does not look runny in the center then check it.

TIP 4:  A cake is ready when you insert a toothpick, skewer or butter knife into the center and it comes out with a little crumb on it.  If it is wet it is not done. 

TIP 5:  There is no shame in serving cake in the pan. Especially if it is a large cake. 

TIP 6: I am a big fan of the boxed cake BUT Make your own icing!  I will post a blog later on with picture how to's and a very simple icing recipe.