Neapolitan Cookies (Print View)
Three-flavored buttery cookies combining chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry in every colorful bite.
# What You'll Need:
→ Base Dough
01 - 2½ cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
03 - ½ teaspoon salt
04 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 1¼ cups granulated sugar
06 - 2 large eggs
07 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
→ Strawberry Layer
08 - 1 tablespoon freeze-dried strawberry powder (or 2 drops pink/red food coloring plus ½ teaspoon strawberry extract)
→ Chocolate Layer
09 - 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
10 - 1 teaspoon milk
# Method:
01 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
02 - In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together using an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
03 - Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract until fully combined.
04 - Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
05 - Divide the dough into three equal portions. Add the freeze-dried strawberry powder (or food coloring and extract) to one portion and mix until evenly colored. Add the cocoa powder and milk to a second portion and mix until well blended. Leave the third portion plain for the vanilla layer.
06 - Place each dough portion on parchment paper or plastic wrap and shape into a flat rectangle approximately 8 x 4 inches.
07 - Layer the rectangles on top of each other—chocolate on the bottom, vanilla in the middle, and strawberry on top. Gently press together so the layers adhere. Wrap tightly and refrigerate for at least 45 minutes until firm.
08 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
09 - Using a sharp knife, slice the chilled dough log crosswise into ¼-inch thick slices. Arrange the cookies 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets.
10 - Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges are just beginning to turn golden.
11 - Allow the cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
# Insider Tips:
01 -
- Three distinct flavors in one cookie means everyone finds something to love, and they look absolutely stunning on a dessert tray without any frosting or decoration.
- The dough comes together from a single base, so you get impressive variety with almost no extra effort.
02 -
- If the dough warms up while you are slicing, pop it back in the fridge for ten minutes because soft dough produces ragged, smeared layers instead of clean lines.
- Freeze-dried strawberry powder is worth seeking out since regular jam or fresh berries add too much moisture and the layers will not hold their shape.
03 -
- Weigh your dough portions on a kitchen scale for perfectly even layers that bake at the same rate and look flawless when sliced.
- A light dusting of flour on your hands prevents the strawberry and chocolate doughs from sticking while you shape them into rectangles.