Go Back

Neapolitan Party Cake Push Pops

A fun and layered party dessert in a push-up container, featuring vanilla and strawberry cake and frosting in two distinct patterned variations.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes
Servings: 12 push pops
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 480
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cake Batter (from scratch)
  • 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • 0.5 tsp fine sea salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1.75 cups granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs room temperature
  • 1 tsp clear vanilla extract
  • 0.5 tsp pure almond extract optional
  • 1 cup buttermilk room temperature
  • 2 cups fresh strawberries for puree
  • 1 tbsp granulated sugar for puree
  • 1 tsp fresh lemon juice for puree
  • 1 set gel food coloring bright pink, cream/off-white
Frostings (from scratch)
  • 1 lb cream cheese two 8-oz blocks, softened
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 8 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tbsp vanilla bean paste or clear vanilla
  • 1 pinch salt
Assembly & Garnish
  • 1 set gel food coloring bright pink, cream/off-white
  • 1 set pink pearl sprinkles

Equipment

  • Push pop containers with stands
  • Mixing bowls
  • Baking sheets
  • Piping bags
  • Round cookie cutters (matching container size)
  • Whisk

Method
 

  1. Prepare Strawberry Puree: Mash 2 cups fresh strawberries with 1 tbsp sugar and 1 tsp lemon juice. Reduce in a saucepan until thick (about 1/2 cup). Puree until smooth and cool completely.
  2. Prepare Cake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch and two 6-inch pans.
  3. Whisk dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, and salt. Cream butter and sugar, then add eggs one at a time, followed by extracts.
  4. Alternate adding buttermilk and the dry ingredients, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until combined, then bake for 30-35 minutes.
  5. Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Chill at least 4 hours.
  6. Prepare Frostings: Beat softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Divide in half. To one half, add 4 cups powdered sugar, vanilla bean paste, and a pinch of salt. Tint with cream coloring.
  7. To the other half, add 4 cups powdered sugar, clear vanilla, and the cooled strawberry puree. Tint with bright pink coloring.
  8. Level chilled cakes. Use the push pop container to cut out neat cake circles.
  9. Assemble Push Pops: Start layering cake circles with frostings according to the pattern variations in the image (pink/white cake with white frosting, or white cake with pink frosting).
  10. Finish with star-tip frosting swirls and garnishes (pearl sprinkles) on top.

Notes

Ensure all filling ingredients (cream cheese, butter, eggs) are at room temperature to avoid a lumpy frosting. Work with chilled cake rounds for neat layers.