Strawberry Sheet Cake Recipe

This Strawberry Sheet Cake is pure summer joy baked into a single, crowd-pleasing pan—fresh strawberry puree gives the cake its natural pink color and bursts of berry flavor, while the ultra-creamy strawberry cream cheese frosting is like the best part of a strawberry shortcake, spread thick and luscious. If you love homemade desserts with real fruit, you’ll want this on repeat all season!

Why You Should Make This Recipe

• Made With Real Strawberries: No fake extracts or food coloring here—this Strawberry Sheet Cake gets its gorgeous hue and flavor from fresh, juicy berries.
• Perfect for a Crowd: It bakes up in a classic 9×13” pan, making it ideal for birthdays, potlucks, or just because you’re craving something sweet.
• Frosting Lovers Rejoice: The cream cheese-strawberry frosting is silky, tangy, and generously swirled over every bite.
• Adaptable and Easy: Every step is beginner-friendly, with tips for substitutions if you need them—no-fuss deliciousness!

Ingredients & Substitutions

Every ingredient for this Strawberry Sheet Cake is selected for maximum flavor, softness, and vibrant color. From the tender cake base to the dreamy pink frosting, each one has a job to do—but there’s room for smart swaps if you need them!

• Fresh Strawberries: The superstar—use ripe, sweet berries for the brightest taste and color; frozen (thawed and well-drained) work in a pinch.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens both the cake and the reduced puree, balancing strawberry’s natural tartness.
• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation for a tender crumb—avoid cake flour here as it’s too delicate.
• Baking Powder + Baking Soda: This duo ensures a lofty, moist sheet cake every time.
• Vegetable Oil: Gives the cake a soft, plush texture that stays delicious for days.
• Eggs: Add structure and richness—room temperature eggs blend in best.
• Vanilla Extract: Boosts the “baked from scratch” flavor and enhances those fresh berries.
• Strawberry Gelatin: Secret weapon for intense berry flavor and gorgeous blush color (you can use any strawberry-flavored gelatin powder).
• Whole Milk: For a fluffier, moister crumb; 2% works if necessary.
• Cream Cheese: The smooth base for your dreamy frosting—must be softened for easy mixing.
• Salted Butter: Adds richness and that perfect hint of salt to balance the frosting’s sweetness.
• Powdered Sugar: What makes the frosting cloud-like and sweet—sift if clumpy for the smoothest result.

How to Make Strawberry Sheet Cake

Step 1: Make the Strawberry Puree

Start by prepping your strawberries—wash, hull, and quarter them, then blitz in a food processor until you have a vibrant puree. Simmer this with a touch of sugar and a pinch of salt to intensify the flavor and reduce it down into a thick, jammy cup of strawberry gold. Let it cool completely while you prep the rest (this step is what makes homemade Strawberry Sheet Cake irresistible and truly “from scratch”).

Step 2: Whisk Dry Ingredients

In a big mixing bowl, whisk together your all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This gets all the leaveners evenly distributed, so your cake rises high and even every time.

Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients

Grab a separate bowl and whisk together the granulated sugar, vegetable oil, eggs (add two at a time for smoother mixing), and vanilla extract. Once creamy, stir in the strawberry gelatin and three-quarters of your cooled puree. The batter will already start to blush a gorgeous pink!

Step 4: Bring It All Together

Add the dry ingredients to the wet and pour in the milk. Gently fold the batter together—just until everything is moistened. Don’t worry if it looks a bit lumpy; overmixing makes for a dense cake, and we want this to be light and fluffy.

Step 5: Bake

Pour your gorgeous batter into a greased 9×13” baking dish. Give it a little tap on the counter to release air bubbles, then bake at 350°F for 40–45 minutes. When a toothpick comes out clean, you know it’s done! Let the cake cool completely before even thinking about frosting.

Step 6: Make & Spread the Strawberry Frosting

Beat together your softened cream cheese and butter until fluffy, then blend in powdered sugar, vanilla, and the rest of that irresistible strawberry puree. Once your cake is cool, slather that frosting on thick. It should be creamy, blush-pink, and have those little flecks of real strawberry running through it—pure cake heaven!

How to Serve Strawberry Sheet Cake

Garnishes

Top each slice of Strawberry Sheet Cake with halved or sliced fresh strawberries for a little sparkle and juicy pop. A dusting of extra powdered sugar or a handful of edible flowers makes each piece extra charming for special occasions.

Side Dishes

While this cake truly steals the show, it pairs beautifully with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a simple dollop of freshly whipped cream. If you want something a little tart to balance the sweetness, try serving with a small bowl of lemony berries or fresh fruit salad.

Creative Ways to Present

For a birthday, scatter pastel sprinkles over the frosting; at brunch, cut the cake into tidy bars and arrange on a platter with a few mint leaves. You can even cut out hearts or circles with a cookie cutter for weddings, baby showers, or Valentine’s Day—Strawberry Sheet Cake is endlessly adaptable for every gathering!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep leftover Strawberry Sheet Cake covered and refrigerate it (thanks to the cream cheese frosting). It stays soft, tender, and flavorful for up to 4 days—just let slices sit at room temp for 10–15 minutes before serving for that perfect melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Freezing

You can freeze the unfrosted cake (well-wrapped) for up to 2 months. If you want to freeze a frosted sheet cake, slice it first, then wrap individually—thaw in the fridge overnight and frost or serve as desired. This means you can satisfy those strawberry cravings any time!

Reheating

There’s really no need to reheat this cake—just let it come to room temperature before serving so the frosting softens up and the flavors fully shine. If you’re serving chilled from the fridge, a quick 10 seconds in the microwave takes the chill off without melting the frosting.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

If you’re ready to bring a taste of pure summer sunshine to your next get-together, I can’t recommend this Strawberry Sheet Cake enough. It’s pink, plush, and bursting with berry flavor—truly a slice of joy! Share it with the people you love (or keep it in your fridge for secret late-night treats—I won’t judge), and let me know how it brightens your table.

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