One-Dough Magic: The Dreamy Neapolitan Cookies Recipe

Soft, buttery dough Neapolitan cookies dance with vibrant layers of chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla.

These tricolor treats bring instant joy to any dessert table.

Each bite promises a delightful blend of classic flavors and nostalgic charm.

The gentle swirls of pastel colors create a visual masterpiece that delights both eyes and taste buds.

Bakers love how simple ingredients combine to craft these elegant cookies.

Warm memories of childhood bakeries flood back with every colorful slice.

You’ll fall in love with these charming, easy-to-make sweet sensations that spark pure happiness.

Cookie Tips for Neapolitan Dough

• Sift dry ingredients to prevent lumps and ensure even distribution in the dough.
• Use room temperature butter for smoother creaming and better cookie texture.
• Add food coloring gradually to achieve desired shade without altering dough consistency.
• Longer chilling time helps flavors meld and prevents spreading during baking.
• Use a sharp knife and wipe clean between cuts for neat, uniform cookie slices.

Neapolitan Cookies – Try These Styles

• Gluten-Free Neapolitan Cookies: Replace wheat flour with almond or gluten-free blend for a celiac-friendly version.
• Vegan Neapolitan Cookies: Swap butter with coconut oil, eggs with flax eggs, use dairy-free chocolate and plant-based food coloring.
• Low-Sugar Neapolitan Cookies: Substitute sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, reduce jam quantity, use dark chocolate with minimal added sugar.
• Nutty Neapolitan Cookies: Add chopped almonds or pistachios to each layer for extra crunch and depth of flavor.

Serving 1 Dough Neapolitan Cookies

• Sweet Gifting Paradise: Package these colorful cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with pretty ribbons for stunning homemade gifts perfect for holidays or special occasions.
• Dessert Platter Perfection: Arrange cookie slices on a decorative platter with fresh strawberries, chocolate shavings, and mint leaves for an elegant presentation that highlights their beautiful layered design.
• Coffee Companion Delight: Serve alongside espresso, cappuccino, or hot chocolate to create a delightful afternoon treat that complements rich, warm beverages with the cookies' vibrant flavors and textures.
• Kids' Baking Adventure: Invite children to help slice and decorate cookies with sprinkles or drizzled chocolate, turning baking into a fun family activity that creates delicious memories.

Storing Your Neapolitan Cookies

• Store cookies in an airtight container between parchment paper layers for up to 5 days. Seal tightly to prevent moisture and maintain crisp texture.
• Wrap entire cookie log or sliced cookies in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving.
• Keep in sealed container away from direct sunlight. Consume within 3-4 days for best flavor and texture. Place wax paper between cookie layers.
• Warm briefly in oven at 300F for 2-3 minutes to restore slight crispness. Microwave 10-15 seconds if you prefer softer cookies. Avoid overheating to prevent drying out.

FAQs

• How do I know if my dough is mixed properly?

Check the texture – it should be smooth and uniform without dry flour spots. When you press the dough, it should hold together without crumbling.

• Can I use different extracts in the recipe?

Yes, you can swap vanilla extract with almond or coconut extract to change the flavor profile. Just use the same measurement amount.

• Why do I need to chill the dough before baking?

Chilling helps the cookies maintain their distinct layer shape and prevents spreading during baking. Cold dough ensures sharp, clean color lines between layers.

• What if my layers aren't perfectly even when pressing into the pan?

Don’t worry – gently press and smooth with an offset spatula or back of a spoon. Small imperfections won’t impact the final cookie’s appearance significantly.

1 Dough Neapolitan Cookies – What’s to Love

• Create a stunning three-layer cookie that looks as amazing as it tastes, perfect for impressing friends and family with your baking skills.
• Easily mix, layer, and chill the dough, making this recipe surprisingly simple for even novice bakers to master.
• Experiment with different extracts, jams, or food colorings to personalize the cookie layers and make each batch unique.
• Ideal for special occasions, holiday gatherings, or as a delightful sweet treat that appeals to both kids and adults with its playful design and delicious taste.

Ingredient List for 1 Dough Neapolitan Cookies

• All-Purpose Flour: The primary structural ingredient that provides the cookie's foundation and texture.
• Baking Powder: A leavening agent that helps the cookies rise and become light.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the cookie dough.

• Unsalted Butter: Creates a rich, creamy texture and provides essential fat for a tender cookie.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a crisp cookie edge.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and contribute to the cookie's structure.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds a classic, warm flavor to the cookie base.

• Strawberry Jam: Provides a fruity flavor and vibrant pink color.
• Strawberry Extract: Intensifies the strawberry taste.
• Pink Food Coloring: Creates a bright pink appearance for the strawberry layer.

• Cocoa Powder: Gives a deep chocolate flavor to the cookie.
• Melted Chocolate: Adds richness and enhances the chocolate intensity.

• Flour (for dusting): Helps prevent sticking when slicing and shaping cookies.

Tools to Make 1 Dough Neapolitan Cookies

• Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer: Essential for creaming butter and sugar to silky smoothness.
• Large Mixing Bowls: Perfect for combining dry and wet ingredients separately.
• Whisk: Key for blending flour, baking powder, and salt evenly.
• Loaf Pan: Crucial for layering and shaping cookie dough.
• Parchment Paper: Helps line pan and prevents sticking.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures precise ingredient quantities.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for slicing chilled dough into clean, even pieces.
• Baking Sheet: Used for baking cookie slices.
• Spatula: Helpful for scraping and transferring dough.

How to Bake 1 Dough Neapolitan Cookies

Step 1: Whip Together Dry Ingredients

Grab a medium bowl and whisk flour, baking powder, and salt until perfectly blended and smooth.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, beat softened butter and sugar until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and creamy.

Gently fold in eggs and vanilla extract, stirring until everything is well combined.

Step 3: Merge Dry and Wet Mixtures

Slowly incorporate the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring until a consistent dough forms.

Step 4: Separate Dough Into Three Portions

Divide the entire dough into three equal sections, each weighing approximately 10 ounces.

Step 5: Create Strawberry Layer

• Strawberry jam
• Pink food coloring
• Strawberry extract

Step 6: Craft Chocolate Layer

• Cocoa powder
• Melted dark chocolate

Step 7: Construct Cookie Layers

• Strawberry layer
• Vanilla layer
• Chocolate layer

Step 8: Chill and Solidify

Refrigerate the layered dough for minimum 3 hours or freeze for 1 hour.

Step 9: Slice and Prepare

Cut the chilled dough into half-inch thick slices, trimming edges if desired.

Step 10: Bake to Perfection

Preheat oven to 350°F and bake cookies for 11-13 minutes until edges turn golden brown.

1-Dough Neapolitan Cookies Recipe

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4.8 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 58 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Delightful Neapolitan cookies merge three classic flavors into one delectable treat. Chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla layers create a colorful dessert that delights taste buds with each sweet bite you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

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Primary Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups (300 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 egg yolk

Flavoring and Coloring Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 tablespoon strawberry jam
• Pink food coloring
• 1 1/2 tablespoons (8 grams) cocoa powder
• 1 ounce (28 grams) semi-sweet chocolate, melted

Dry Ingredients:

• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 tablespoons (11 grams) flour for strawberry layer

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Instructions

1. Prepare the dry mixture by thoroughly whisking flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl until well combined.
2. Create the base dough by creaming butter and sugar until light and fluffy, then incorporate eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
3. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until a uniform dough forms.
4. Carefully partition the dough into three precisely equal portions, each weighing approximately 10 ounces.
5. Transform the first portion into a strawberry layer by gently blending in jam, strawberry extract, and vibrant pink food coloring until evenly distributed.
6. Convert the second portion into a chocolate variation by thoroughly integrating cocoa powder and melted chocolate, creating a rich dark layer.
7. Leave the third portion as the classic vanilla base, maintaining its pristine white appearance.
8. Methodically layer the doughs in a lined loaf pan: first the strawberry, then vanilla, and finally the chocolate layer, pressing gently to ensure smooth transitions.
9. Chill the assembled dough in the refrigerator for a minimum of 3 hours or expedite the process by freezing for 1 hour.
10. Remove from refrigerator and slice into precise 1/2-inch thick pieces, trimming edges if desired for a clean presentation.
11. Preheat oven to 350°F and bake cookies for 11-13 minutes, watching for lightly browned edges as an indicator of perfect doneness.

Notes

• Precise Ingredient Measurement Ensure exact measurements using a kitchen scale for consistent dough portions and texture.
• Color Enhancement Use gel food coloring instead of liquid for vibrant strawberry layer without altering dough consistency.
• Flavor Depth Add a pinch of espresso powder to chocolate layer for deeper, richer chocolate taste.
• Storage Hack Wrap unbaked cookie log tightly in plastic wrap and freeze up to 3 months for convenient slice-and-bake option.

• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Cook Time: 13 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 164
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 83 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 1.5 g
• Cholesterol: 24 mg