Neapolitan Sheet Cake with Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9x13 rectangular cake pan. Set aside.

Step 2

In a small saucepan, simmer strawberries and sugar together over low heat. Mix cornstarch and water together, and add to the strawberry mixture. Allow the strawberries to cook down, until they have released their juices and the mixture has thickened. Take off the heat, lightly mash the strawberries with a fork, and allow to cool. Set aside.

Step 3

In a large bowl, cream butter until light and fluffy, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add in granulated sugar and mix until well combined. Add in eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition (scrape down the sides of the bowl as necessary).

Step 4

In a separate bowl, sift together all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt.

Step 5

In another bowl, mix milk and vanilla extract together.

Step 6

Alternately add the dry ingredients and the wet ingredients to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.

Step 7

Add in sour cream, and mix the batter until combined.

Step 8

Pour 2 cups of the vanilla cake batter into the bottom of the cake pan. Divide the remaining batter evenly into two separate bowls.

Step 9

In one bowl, add in cocoa powder, baking soda, and hot coffee, stirring until combined. Set aside.

Step 10

In the other bowl, add in flour, strawberries, and red food coloring (if using), and stir until combined.

Step 11

Dollop both the strawberry batter and the chocolate batter evenly on top of the vanilla cake. With a knife, gently swirl the batter together.

Step 12

Bake for about 45 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean. Allow to cool.

Step 13

With a mixer, whip heavy whipping cream until soft peaks form (the cream is thick but not yet the consistency of whipped cream).

Step 14

Add in powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Continue whipping until stiff peaks form (the consistency should look and feel like whipped cream).

Step 15

Add in whipped cream cheese, 3 oz at a time, whipping until just combined.

Step 16

Spread frosting over cooled cake, and top with fresh strawberries, if desired*.