Name: Strawberry Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting and Fresh Strawberries Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup strawberry puree (from about 2 cups fresh strawberries chopped); 2¾ cups all-purpose flour; 1 tablespoon baking powder; ½ teaspoon salt; 3 tablespoons strawberry jello powder; ½ cup unsalted butter (softened); ½ cup canola oil; 1½ cups granulated sugar; 4 eggs; 1 tablespoon vanilla extract; ½ cup milk; 1 cup freeze-dried strawberries; 8 oz cream cheese (softened); 1 cup unsalted butter (softened); 3 cups powdered sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 teaspoons strawberry jello powder; Fresh strawberries (halved or sliced); Extra freeze-dried strawberry dust; Edible flowers like chamomile

Print Recipe· 3.8 from 3 reviews

If you’re in search of a cake that’s bursting with fresh, fruity flavor and a creamy, luscious finish, look no further than this Strawberry Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting and Fresh Strawberries Recipe. It’s a vibrant, moist cake layered with a dreamy cream cheese frosting that’s infused with real strawberry goodness, making every bite a celebration of summer’s best. This recipe beautifully balances a tender crumb with tangy-sweet frosting, accented by fresh and freeze-dried strawberries that add texture, color, and an irresistible depth of flavor. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or simply craving a slice of sunshine, this cake is sure to become one of your favorites fast.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows a top view of several white bowls and a white square dish arranged on a white marbled table. The square dish at the top left is full of bright red strawberries with their green leaves still on. Surrounding it are bowls filled with different ingredients: a large bowl of white flour on the top right, a medium bowl of white powdery sugar near the center, a small bowl of dark brown liquid (vanilla extract), a small bowl with pink powder, a bowl with fine white powder (baking powder), a bowl with white granulated sugar, a bowl with cream cheese or whipped cream, and a small bowl of liquid, possibly milk or oil. At the bottom right, there are two blocks of butter partially unwrapped. Near the eggs in a white carton at the top right are small white flowers for decoration. Everything is neatly arranged on the white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Every ingredient in this recipe plays an essential role, from the sweet strawberry puree that gives the cake its juicy charm to the cream cheese frosting that melts in your mouth with just the right tang. Each component is straightforward, easy to find, and perfectly complements one another for an unforgettable dessert experience.

Strawberry puree: Homemade from fresh strawberries to deliver pure, natural flavor and beautiful pink color.
All-purpose flour: The sturdy base that ensures your cake has the perfect tender crumb.
Baking powder: Adds lift so your sheet cake stays light and fluffy.
Salt: Enhances all the subtle flavors within the cake.
Strawberry jello powder: Infuses a subtle, nostalgic strawberry taste and accelerates color vibrancy.
Unsalted butter: Softened for a rich, creamy texture both in the cake and frosting.
Canola oil: Adds moistness without overpowering the strawberry flavor.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake to just the right level, balancing fruity tartness.
Eggs: Bind everything together and add structure.
Vanilla extract: Brings warmth and depth to both the cake and frosting.
Milk: Keeps the batter smooth and enhances tenderness.
Freeze-dried strawberries: Ground into powder to amp up the strawberry flavor in the frosting.
Cream cheese: Softened for a silky, tangy frosting that’s absolutely divine.
Powdered sugar: Sweet and smooth, essential for that luscious frosting consistency.
Fresh strawberries: Sliced or halved, they provide fresh bursts of juicy sweetness and garnish beauty.
Edible flowers like chamomile (optional): Add a whimsical, floral touch for an elegant presentation.

How to Make Strawberry Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting and Fresh Strawberries Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Pan and Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F, the perfect temperature for baking this strawberry-infused sheet cake evenly. Grease a 9×13 inch cake pan thoroughly, and consider lining it with parchment paper to make removal and cleanup a breeze.

Step 2: Puree the Strawberries

Place about 2 cups of fresh, chopped strawberries into a food processor and pulse just enough to create a smooth puree. This vibrant puree is key to imparting juicy strawberry flavor throughout your cake, so don’t skip this fresh step—it’s where the magic begins.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and strawberry jello powder. This blend provides the structure and extra burst of strawberry essence that your cake batter will need for a perfect lift and taste.

Step 4: Mix Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, canola oil, and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. Next, add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each, then stir in the vanilla extract and fresh strawberry puree for a rich, fragrant base.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with milk, and mix just until combined. Be careful not to overmix; you want a smooth batter with a tender crumb that still holds plenty of strawberry flavor throughout.

Step 6: Bake the Cake

Pour the luscious batter evenly into your prepared pan. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool fully before moving on to frosting—it’s worth the wait!

Step 7: Create the Cream Cheese Frosting

While your cake cools, pulse the freeze-dried strawberries in a food processor until they become a fine powder. Then, in a large bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, vanilla extract, and butter until velvety smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, the freeze-dried strawberry powder, and strawberry jello powder, and continue beating until the frosting turns light and fluffy.

Step 8: Frost and Assemble

Spread your strawberry cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled cake, ensuring every corner is covered. Top the entire sheet with fresh strawberry slices or halves, then sprinkle extra freeze-dried strawberry dust on top to add a pretty and flavorful finishing touch.

How to Serve Strawberry Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting and Fresh Strawberries Recipe

A single layer of smooth, thick pink strawberry cream spread evenly in a white rectangular baking dish with a handle at the top center. The cream has soft swirls and tiny specks of red strawberry pieces throughout, creating a textured, airy look. The dish is placed on a white marbled surface with a small part of a white basket of fresh strawberries and a folded light beige cloth visible near the edges. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

This cake practically begs for fresh, vibrant garnishes. Aside from the obvious glossy slices of fresh strawberries, adding a dusting of freeze-dried strawberry powder gives it a subtle tart brightness and a sprinkle of edible flowers like chamomile creates a whimsical, garden-fresh look that impresses every time.

Side Dishes

Pair this strawberry sheet cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or freshly whipped cream for added indulgence. A light, sparkling rosé or chilled lemonade also pairs beautifully, providing the perfect balance to the sweet, creamy cake layers.

Creative Ways to Present

For an eye-catching presentation at parties, slice the cake into smaller, bite-sized squares and serve on elegant trays with fresh mint leaves. You can also pipe extra frosting in decorative swirls before topping with individual strawberry halves for an elevated touch that’s sure to wow your guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once frosted, keep your strawberry sheet cake covered tightly with plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days, or store it in the fridge to keep the frosting firm and fresh up to four days. Always ensure the cake is well covered to prevent it from drying out.

Freezing

This cake freezes beautifully if you want to prepare in advance. Freeze unfrosted cake layers wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil for up to 3 months. Thaw completely before applying the cream cheese frosting to preserve its optimal texture and flavor.

Reheating

Since this is a cake best served chilled or at room temperature, reheating is not usually necessary. If you prefer a slightly warmer slice, let it sit out at room temperature for 30 minutes to soften the frosting or briefly warm an individual slice in the microwave for 10 seconds, but be careful not to melt the frosting.

FAQs

Can I use frozen strawberries for the puree?

Yes, frozen strawberries can be used if fresh are not available. Just thaw and drain excess liquid before pureeing to maintain the right consistency for the batter.

What can I substitute for strawberry jello powder?

If you can’t find strawberry jello powder, you can use strawberry gelatin or omit it entirely, though it does enhance the cake’s strawberry flavor and color. You might want to add a little extra freeze-dried strawberry powder as a natural alternative.

Is it possible to make this cake gluten-free?

Absolutely! Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend that measures cup-for-cup, and be sure your leavening agents are gluten-free as well. The texture may vary slightly but will still be superb.

Can I make the frosting dairy-free?

For a dairy-free frosting, use dairy-free cream cheese and butter alternatives. The texture might differ a bit, but the strawberry flavor will still shine through beautifully.

How should I store the leftover cake if it’s already frosted?

Keep it sealed in an airtight container in the refrigerator to preserve freshness and prevent the cream cheese frosting from spoiling. Bring to room temperature before serving for the best taste and texture.

Final Thoughts

This Strawberry Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting and Fresh Strawberries Recipe is proof that delightful desserts don’t have to be complicated. It’s a straightforward, joyful baking experience that results in a cake bursting with fresh flavor, stunning color, and the creamy frosting you’ll dream about. I can’t encourage you enough to try it soon—your friends and family will thank you, and you’ll have a new favorite to add to your baking repertoire!