Home · Recipes · Course · Desserts · Cupcakes · Neapolitan Cupcakes

Neapolitan Cupcakes

Jump to Recipe
35 minutes
33 Comments
5 from 8 votes
Strawberry cake PLUS brownie batter? Seriously- it's one of the most delicious cupcake combinations I have had!
Neapolitan Cupcakes
This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.

Valentine’s day Neapolitan cupcakes are the perfect Valentine’s day cupcake, aka the name! Ha 😉 They are such a fun and unique cupcake idea with the mix of strawberry cake and brownie batter!

These homemade cupcakes have the great fluffy cake texture mixed with the chewy brownies making these Valentine’s day cupcakes taste out of this world. 

Neapolitan cupcakes are a fun take on the normally chocolate covered strawberries that everyone gives and receives for Valentine’s day. Not to mention, much more affordable!

Ingredients needed to make Neapolitan Cupcakes.

Recipe Ingredient Notes

To make Neapolitan Cupcakes, you will need the following ingredients:

  • Package of brownie mix
  • Eggs
  • Vegetable oil
  • Water
  • Package of strawberry cake mix
  • Butter
  • Shortening
  • Vanilla
  • Milk
  • Powdered sugar
  • Chocolate sprinkles (or your favorite for Valentine’s day)

Equipment Needed

For this recipe, you only need a few simple kitchen tools. We recommend using the following equipment:

Spooning brownie batter into cupcake liners in cupcake tin. With a bowl of brownie batter off to the side.
Top view of cupcake pan with strawberry cake batter on top of brownie batter inside the cupcake liners.
Ingredients for frosting in a glass mixing bowl.

How to make Neapolitan Cupcakes

Cupcake Instructions

  1. Preheat an oven to 350℉ (175℃). Line 40-48 muffin cups with paper liners (I only got about 40 cupcakes, but you may get more).
  2. Whisk together the brownie mix, 2 eggs, ½ cup canola oil, and ¼ cup water in a bowl. Stir just until fully incorporated, about 50 strokes; set aside.
  3. Mix the cake mix, ½ cup oil, 1 cup water, and 3 eggs in a large bowl with an electric mixer on low speed until combined. Mix on medium speed for 2 minutes.
  4. Spoon the brownie batter into prepared muffin cups, filling each cup ⅓ full. Spoon the cake batter over the brownie batter, until muffin cups are each ⅔ full.
  5. Bake in the preheated oven until golden and the tops spring back when lightly pressed, about 20 minutes.
  6. Cool completely.

Frosting Instructions

  1. Cream together the butter shortening, and vanilla.
  2. Then add in milk and powdered sugar 1 cup at a time. Mix until light and fluffy.
  3. Top with optional sprinkles.

NOTE: You only want to mix until everything is just combined. Do NOT overmix the batter. Also if your cake mix and brownie mix ingredients are different on the box, use the amounts on the box.

Frosting mixed together in glass mixing bowl.
Top view of Neapolitan Cupcakes on a white background frosted and topped with little chocolate pieces.
A Neapolitan Cupcake unwrapped to show the bottom of the cupcake layers topped with frosting with other Neapolitan Cupcakes in the background.

Try it Without the Box

Have you ever tried to make brownies from scratch? They are surprisingly simple to do, and you probably have everything you need!

Storage Instructions

To store cupcakes, make sure to let them completely cool. Unfrosted cupcakes are easier to store after baking, then frosted cupcakes.

  • Container: Always store cupcakes in an airtight container to prevent the air from drying them out and contamination. We like to store cupcakes in this container.
  • Counter: Unfrosted cupcakes can be stored at room temperature (and out of sunlight) for one day.
  • Refrigerator: You can keep cupcakes in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Before eating, allow them time to come back to room temperature before serving. If you ice them with the cream cheese frosting, we recommend refrigerating them.

Enjoy More Delicious Cupcake Recipes

Cupcakes are a delicious treat for kids and adults alike. Check out our comprehensive list of cupcake recipes!

Neapolitan Cupcakes topped with frosting. One on the counter with the cupcake paper removed and one cut in half to show the inside. Other Neapolitan Cupcakes on a cooling rack in the background.

Neapolitan Cupcakes Recipe

5 from 8 votes
Strawberry cake PLUS brownie batter? Seriously- it's one of the most delicious cupcake combinations I have had!
Serving40 Cupcakes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Save Print Review Pin

Ingredients

Cupcake Ingredients

  • 18.4 ounces brownie mix, 1 package
  • 2 eggs
  • ½ cup vegetable oil, (or canola oil)
  • ¼ cup water
  • 15.25 ounces strawberry cake mix, 1 package
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup water
  • 3 eggs
  • ¼ cup water

Frosting Ingredients

  • ½ cup butter, softened
  • ½ cup shortening
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 Tablespoons milk
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • ¼ cup chocolate sprinkles, (topping)

Equipment

Instructions

Cupcake Instructions

  1. Preheat an oven to 350℉ (175℃). Line 40-48 muffin cups with paper liners (I only got about 40 cupcakes, but you may get more).
  2. Whisk together the brownie mix, 2 eggs, ½ cup canola oil, and ¼ cup water in a bowl. Stir just until fully incorporated, about 50 strokes; set aside.
  3. Mix the cake mix, ½ cup oil, 1 cup water, and 3 eggs in a large bowl with an electric mixer on low speed until combined. Mix on medium speed for 2 minutes.
  4. Spoon the brownie batter into prepared muffin cups, filling each cup ⅓ full. Spoon the cake batter over the brownie batter, until muffin cups are each ⅔ full.
  5. Bake in the preheated oven until golden and the tops spring back when lightly pressed, about 20 minutes.
  6. Cool completely.

Frosting Instructions

  1. Cream together the butter shortening, and vanilla.
  2. Then add in milk and powdered sugar 1 cup at a time. Mix until light and fluffy.
  3. Top with optional sprinkles.

Notes

Mix brownies and strawberry cake mix according to package directions. Your ingredients may vary slightly depending on what brand of mix you purchased.
You only want to mix until everything is just combined. Do NOT overmix the batter. Also if your cake mix and brownie mix ingredients are different on the box, use the amounts on the box.

Nutrition

Calories: 253 kcal · Carbohydrates: 31 g · Protein: 2 g · Fat: 14 g · Saturated Fat: 7 g · Trans Fat: 1 g · Cholesterol: 27 mg · Sodium: 156 mg · Potassium: 45 mg · Fiber: 1 g · Sugar: 23 g · Vitamin A: 102 IU · Calcium: 21 mg · Iron: 1 mg
Cuisine: American
Cost: $8
Author: Steph Loaiza
Course: Dessert
Did You Make This Recipe?We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave a review or a question in the comment section below the post.

Join The Discussion

I love hearing from you! Submit your question or review below. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked*.

Rate This Recipe!




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Questions & Reviews

  1. raquel Guevarra says:

    wow it is a pre-valentine cupcake here you have there…looks really great thanks for this I am going to bookmark it.

    eRecipe

  2. Becki Jacobs says:

    I love the chocolate strawberry combo – that really is perfect for Valentine’s Day! These are adorable.5 stars

  3. Lindsay says:

    Oh, I love this! I have got to pin this for sure!

  4. Dulce fresa says:

    Thanks voor the beautiful idea.. I’m gonna try it!! but maybe with my own recipes instead the backage mixes..

  5. Mel says:

    These look really cute! I too am pinning it!

  6. Sweetened by Kagi says:

    Hello, I stumbled upon your blog from a linky party- this looks so yummy! I am now your newest follower and I hope that you will follow me too. Thanks and I look forward to seeing your future creations 🙂

    http://www.sweetenedbykagi.blogspot.com

  7. Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says:

    Love it! And oh, the combinations… 🙂

  8. Christy says:

    Definitely worth trying and sharing! I pinned it, too.5 stars

  9. Aleisha McD says:

    HELL YEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!5 stars

  10. Diana Lee says:

    These are adorable & sound delicious. Thanks for sharing them!

  11. Sarah says:

    Cute and Yummy! Found you from SYS Blog Party. Come visit sometime 🙂5 stars

  13. Jocelyn says:

    Chocolate and strawberry is one of the best combos…so I know I will love these for sure!!!! Thank you for sharing!!!

  14. Gray Cardigan says:

    These look so good!!! I can’t wait to try them!!!

  15. Alison @ Oopsey Daisy says:

    Oh my! Besides looking adorable, these look tasty too! 🙂 I’m going to bookmark these for V-Day! Thanks for sharing at Oopsey Daisy!

  16. Desiree @ The 36th AVENUE says:

    I am featuring your amazing cupcakes tomorrow during my Sunday Best! I can’t wait to make them!

  18. Serendipity and Spice says:

    I found you on Tatertots & Jello? this looks amazing! Never thought to put cake and brownies together– will definitely have to give this a try!

    I?m hosting a Valentine theme linky party starting tonight at 11:30. Would love it if you came by and linked up! http://www.serendipityandspice.blogspot.com
    -Melissa

  19. Gallamore West says:

    These are so cute! And they sound delicious too. I LOVE chocolate & strawberry together. I think my boys would go crazy for these!

    Have a great day!
    xo,
    Laurie @ Gallamore West 🙂

    p.s. I made your crockpot BBQ Hawaiian chicken the other day… my family LOVED it. Thanks for a great and easy recipe. I can handle desserts, but dinners are soooo hard for me! 🙂

  21. Jenny @ Simcoe Street says:

    Oh man these look delicious!

  22. The Hills Family says:

    Thanks Lindsay! We ablsolutely Love your blog!
    Kristen- Sixsistersstuff.com

  24. MommyRo says:

    These look soooo yum!! I’m putting together a section of recipes for LOVE month on my site … http://www.wikimommy.com … and I would love to feature this!! Please email me ro (at) wikimommy (dot) com and let me know if I may re-post this on my site. Thanks for sharing!!

  25. Lilianna Grace says:

    I saw these on Pinterest several weeks ago and made them. I too posted them on my blog as I baked them in little ice cream cups for cuteness and easy travel. They are as delicious as they look! I think I actually like them without the frosting better. Everyone should make these!5 stars

  26. Ashley says:

    I tried this recipe, but I had to bake them a tad bit longer because they came out liquidy (the brownie part). However, even after baking them a few minutes longer, the brownie is still a bit gooey. (I am NOT a brownie baker and hardly eat them, but a colleague made this recipe, and I LOVED it.) Should I be concerned with this?

  27. Kyle says:

    These were wonderful. My daughter and I baked a batch this week for her staff at work. They were gone in 15minutes. We look forward trying more of your recipes.5 stars

  28. Jane says:

    I am wondering if anyone has tried this recipe in a bundt pan…with baking the strawberry on the bottom, so that when put on a plate it would be on top? I am a little worried about trying it for a party since the brownie batter is thicker, thinking it might not work right pouring it on top of the strawberry. Would appreciate any input. Thanks.

  29. megan says:

    Made these for Valentines Day and just got to posting them on my blog hehe!! Thanks these were awesome!!5 stars

  30. mary says:

    There r in the oven. Can’t wait to see how my hubby likes them .

  31. Elizabeth says:

    These look great! Do you know if they could be made as bars in a 13×9 pan?

  32. Cyd says:

    We have only made these as cupcakes. So we aren’t exactly sure how it would all turn out. Seems like it would work if you put the second layer on carefully! 🙂

  33. Andrea d says:

    My brownie layer is still not cooked

Steph Loaiza
About The Author:

Steph Loaiza

Steph lives in Southern California with her husband, Andrew, and her five kids: twin girls and 3 boys. She loves going to Disneyland with her family and reading in her spare time.
Read More

Other Cupcake Recipes

Readers’ Favorite Recipes
As Seen On BuzzFeedElleGlamourGood HousekeepingHuffington PostParadeParentingToday Show