Gooey Neapolitan Cake Bars

Satisfy your sweet tooth with these irresistible Gooey Neapolitan Cake Bars, a perfect fusion of rich chocolate, sweet strawberry, and creamy vanilla. This layered dessert not only looks stunning but also brings nostalgic flavors to life in every bite. Ideal for any occasion, these cake bars are easy to prepare and hard to resist. Explore our step-by-step guide to create this luscious treat that will impress your friends and family!

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Ingredients

For the Chocolate Layer:

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 cup granulated sugar

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Strawberry Layer:

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup granulated sugar

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup strawberry puree (fresh or canned)

For the Vanilla Layer:

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Topping:

1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

1/4 cup rainbow sprinkles (optional)

Instructions

Preheat Your Oven:

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13 inch (23x33 cm) baking pan to prevent sticking.

Make the Chocolate Layer:

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined. Pour in the melted butter, followed by the eggs and vanilla extract, and stir until the batter is smooth and well mixed. Pour this chocolate batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it out evenly across the bottom.

Prepare the Strawberry Layer:

In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Once combined, gently fold in the melted butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and strawberry puree. Stir until the mixture is smooth and homogeneous. Carefully spread the strawberry batter over the chocolate layer without combining them.

Create the Vanilla Layer:

In another clean bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Stir in the melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture is fully combined. Pour the vanilla batter over the strawberry layer, using a spatula to smooth it out and cover the strawberry layer completely.

Bake:

Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25–30 minutes. The cake is ready when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs (not wet batter) and the edges begin to pull away from the sides of the pan.

Add the Topping:

As soon as you remove the cake from the oven, sprinkle the mini chocolate chips evenly across the top. If you’re adding sprinkles, now is the time to sprinkle them on as well. Allow the cake to cool in the pan on a wire rack.

Cool and Cut:

Once the cake has cooled completely in the pan, cut it into squares. For a delightful gooey texture, chill the bars in the refrigerator for about an hour before serving.

Serve:

Serve the Neapolitan cake bars either chilled or at room temperature. Enjoy the delightful layering of chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla in every gooey bite!

Prep Time, Total Time, Servings: 20 minutes | 1 hour | Makes 24 bars