Neapolitan Ice Cream

By
Kristina Vanni
Kristina Vanni
Kristina Vanni
An internationally recognized culinary authority, Kristina Vanni is well-known for her recipe development, food photography, and experience as a TV show host.
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Updated on 07/23/21
Neapolitan Ice Cream

Kristina Vanni
Prep: 30 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Freeze: 2 hrs
Total: 2 hrs 30 mins
Servings: 8 servings
Yield: 8 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
497 Calories
35g Fat
42g Carbs
5g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount per serving
Calories 497
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 35g 45%
Saturated Fat 22g 111%
Cholesterol 110mg 37%
Sodium 54mg 2%
Total Carbohydrate 42g 15%
Dietary Fiber 1g 2%
Total Sugars 36g
Protein 5g
Vitamin C 2mg 9%
Calcium 131mg 10%
Iron 1mg 6%
Potassium 178mg 4%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Neapolitan ice cream is a classic favorite composed of three separate flavors, typically vanilla, chocolate and strawberry, layered in the same container. The name comes from the desserts presumed origins, in Naples Italy. Immigrants from this region brought their expertise for frozen desserts to the United states and spumoni might have been the first Neapolitan-style ice cream here in the US. Other variations might have been composed of flavors in three layers representing the green, white, and red colors of Italian flag. Today it is likely that the chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry flavored layers became the standard because they are the three most popular ice cream flavors in the US.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups whole milk

  • 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar

  • 3 cups heavy cream

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

  • 1 cup strawberry ice cream

  • 1 tsp food coloring

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Neapolitan Ice Cream

    Kristina Vanni

  2. In a medium bowl, combine the whole milk and granulated sugar until the sugar is dissolved.

    Neapolitan Ice Cream

    Kristina Vanni

  3. Stir in the heavy cream and the vanilla extract.

    Neapolitan Ice Cream

    Kristina Vanni

  4. Churn according to manufacturer’s directions, about 20 to 25 minutes.

    Neapolitan Ice Cream

    Kristina Vanni

  5. Spoon 1/3 of the churned vanilla ice cream into an airtight freezer safe container.

    Neapolitan Ice Cream

    Kristina Vanni

  6. Spoon 1/3 of the churned ice cream into a mixing bowl and add the cocoa powder. Stir to combine.

    Neapolitan Ice Cream

    Kristina Vanni

  7. Spoon the chocolate layer over the vanilla layer and spread evenly.

    Neapolitan Ice Cream

    Kristina Vanni

  8. Spoon the final 1/3 of the churned ice cream into a mixing bowl and add the strawberry ice cream topping. Stir to combine. If a deeper pink hue is desired, add a few drops of red food coloring.

    Neapolitan Ice Cream

    Kristina Vanni

  9. Spoon the strawberry layer over the chocolate layer and spread evenly. 

    Neapolitan Ice Cream

    Kristina Vanni

  10. Cover and freeze for at least 2 hours to firm. Then scoop and enjoy!

    Neapolitan Ice Cream

    Kristina Vanni

Neapolitan Ice Cream Variations

Here the three layers of Neapolitan ice cream are layered vertically in a freezer safe container. However, it is also possible to layer the vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry ice cream in a loaf pan lined with plastic wrap. Then, to serve, you can simply lift the plastic wrap from the loaf pan and cut into slices to serve.

Neapolitan Ice Cream Tips

When making homemade ice cream, it is always important to work quickly and get the churned product into the freezer as soon as possible. When mixing in the cocoa powder and the strawberry ice cream topping to create the chocolate and strawberry layers, it is helpful to use metal bowls that have been placed in the freezer for a few minutes to chill. That way the churned ice cream can stay as cold as possible during this quick mixing process. Then quickly form the layers and cover and place in the freezer immediately to set.

Neapolitan Ice Cream Storage

Homemade ice cream can be kept in the freezer for up to 3 months.