Neapolitan Party Cake

Allow 1 cup butter and the egg whites to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, grease and lightly flour three 9x1 1/2-inch round cake pans. In a medium bowl, stir together cake flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.

In a large mixer bowl, beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add sugar and the 1/2 teaspoon vanilla; beat until well combined. Add egg whites one at a time, beating well after each addition. Alternately add flour mixture and milk to butter mixture, beating on low speed after each addition just until combined.

Divide batter among three bowls. Stir melted chocolate pieces and cocoa powder into one bowl. Stir the 1 teaspoon vanilla into the second bowl. Stir 1/3 cup jam and, if you like, 1 or 2 drops red food coloring into the third bowl. Pour each batter into a prepared pan; smooth the tops.

Bake in a 350°F oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted near centers comes out clean. Cool cake layers in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes. Remove cake layers from pans. Cool thoroughly on racks. Meanwhile, make Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting and Double-Dipped Strawberries.

To assemble, place chocolate cake layer on a cake plate. Spread with 2/3 cup Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting. Top with vanilla layer; spread with 2/3 cup frosting. Top with the strawberry layer. Frost top and sides with the remaining frosting. If you like, garnish with Double-Dipped Strawberries and serve immediately. (Or chill cake, covered, for up to 3 days. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.)