Neapolitan Cake Recipe | Bon Appétit

Inspired by Wayne Thiebaud’s iconic 1979 painting Cake Slice, this tricolor beauty is a guaranteed showstopper for any birthday or celebration. Made of three distinct cake layers, one tinted with freeze-dried strawberries, one with cocoa powder, and one left plain, the layers create a kaleidoscope of flavors reminiscent of Neapolitan ice cream. While this might sound like a project, the process is surprisingly simple: You make just one cake batter, divide it among three bowls, and add flavorings and optional food coloring to enhance each one. That’s it. There’s no need to whip up three different cake recipes, and it all gets mixed together with a whisk. A quick frosting made with butter, sour cream, and powdered sugar enrobes the colorful layers, masking the multicolored surprise within.

To get ahead, feel free to bake the layers the day before you plan to serve the cake. Tightly wrap each layer in plastic and leave at room temperature. Because the cake is made with oil, the layers will stay plush and moist.