Name: Strawberry Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ¾ cup vegetable oil (170g); ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted (56g); 1 ½ cups granulated sugar (300g); 3 large eggs; 2 tsp vanilla extract; ⅓ cup milk (80g); 340g fresh or frozen strawberries (about 1 ½ cups puree); 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour (360g); 2 tbsp cornstarch (20g); ¾ tsp baking soda; 1 tsp baking powder; 1 tsp salt; Optional: few drops of pink gel food coloring; 12 oz cream cheese, room temperature (340g); ⅓ cup strawberry jam (80g); ¼ cup granulated sugar (60g); ⅓ cup heavy cream (80g); Pinch of salt; Fresh strawberries, sliced, to taste

There’s something irresistibly charming about a homemade strawberry dessert, and this Strawberry Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe hits all the right notes with its tender cake and luscious frosting. If you love fresh strawberries in a cake, you’re about to discover your new favorite!

The image shows a slice of rectangular cake with two layers: a moist light brown base and a thick, smooth pale pink frosting on top. The cake slice is decorated with halved fresh strawberries placed partly on the frosting, adding red and green from the fruit’s leaves. Pink crumbs are sprinkled over the frosting for extra texture. The slice is lifted slightly by a knife under it on a white marbled surface, with more cake slices visible in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Strawberry Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Strawberry Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Strawberry Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made this strawberry sheet cake more times than I can count, and it never fails to impress friends and family. The balance of fresh strawberry flavor with the creamy frosting is pure joy in every bite.

Fresh & Natural Flavor: Uses real strawberries pureed into the batter for authentic taste and moisture.
Easy Prep: Minimal steps but maximum impact - perfect for last minute dessert cravings or parties.
Perfect Texture: Tender, moist cake with a lightly sweetened cream cheese frosting that’s silky smooth.
Versatile & Pretty: Fresh strawberry garnish makes it an eye-catching dessert for any occasion.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Before you start, make sure to pick ripe, fragrant strawberries—they really make this recipe sing. And a quick tip: if you're using frozen strawberries, give them some time to thaw so you get that perfect puree consistency.

Flat lay of fresh whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white ceramic bowl of golden vegetable oil, a small white ceramic bowl with melted butter, a small white ceramic bowl filled with granulated sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of milk, a small white ceramic bowl containing fresh whole strawberries with stems, a small white ceramic bowl of cream cheese softened and smooth, a small white ceramic bowl of bright red strawberry jam, a small white ceramic bowl of heavy cream, a small white ceramic bowl of cornstarch, a small white ceramic bowl with all-purpose flour, and a small white ceramic bowl with a pinch of salt and mix of baking soda and baking powder all arranged symmetrically, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Vegetable oil: Keeps the cake moist and tender without overpowering flavors.
Unsalted butter: Adds richness and balances the moist crumb from the oil.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens and helps achieve a nice cake structure.
Eggs: Provide structure and richness, making the cake light yet sturdy.
Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavors with a warm, mellow note.
Milk: Adds moisture and helps blend the strawberry puree smoothly into the batter.
Fresh or frozen strawberries: Pureed for natural sweetness and that pretty pink hue.
All-purpose flour: The base that gives the cake its body without being heavy.
Cornstarch: Lightens the texture, making the crumb tender and soft.
Baking soda and baking powder: Both work together to provide a gentle rise and airy texture.
Salt: Enhances the strawberry flavor and balances the sweetness.
Pink gel food coloring (optional): For an extra pop of color if you want that vibrant strawberry pink.
Cream cheese: Creates the rich, tangy base for the frosting that complements the cake perfectly.
Strawberry jam: Boosts the strawberry flavor in the frosting and keeps it luscious.
Heavy cream: Whipped into the frosting for that silky, spreadable texture.
Salt (for frosting): Balances sweetness and enhances all the strawberry notes.
Fresh strawberries (for decoration): Adds freshness and visual appeal - a must for the finishing touch!

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best parts about the Strawberry Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. Whether you want to switch up the frosting, experiment with presentation, or cater to dietary needs, this cake is a versatile canvas for your creativity.

Vegan Variation: Substitute the cream cheese frosting with a coconut cream-based frosting and replace eggs with a flaxseed or chia egg alternative. I’ve tried this, and although the texture changes a bit, the fruity freshness shines through beautifully.
Extra Strawberry Boost: For an even more intense strawberry flavor, try folding in finely chopped fresh strawberries into the batter before baking. I love how the little bursts of fruit surprise you in every bite!
Make It Gluten-Free: Swap the all-purpose flour with a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking blend. Just be careful to mix gently to maintain a tender crumb—this recipe is naturally moist and forgiving.
Frosting Fun: If you prefer a lighter finish, you can top the cake with a dusting of powdered sugar and fresh strawberries instead of the cream cheese frosting. I’ve done this for a summer picnic, and it was both refreshing and effortless.
Seasonal Twist: In fall or winter, swap fresh strawberries for thawed frozen berries or mix in a splash of citrus zest (lemon or orange) into the batter or frosting. The subtle zing elevates the cake for colder months!

Step-by-Step: How I Make Strawberry Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

The image shows a single slice of light pink cake with a soft, crumbly texture, topped with a smooth layer of pale pink frosting. On top of the frosting, there are fresh strawberry slices adding bright red color with green small leaves attached. The slice sits on a white plate with a scalloped edge, with a gold fork placed under the slice. In the background, there is another smaller rectangular piece of the same cake on a similar white plate. Around the plates, whole strawberries and small pieces of dried strawberries are scattered on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Preheat and Prep Your Pan

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (conventional, no fan). This steady heat ensures a perfectly even bake. Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper—this little step truly makes removing the cake a breeze and protects that tender crumb from sticking to the pan.

Step 2: Whip Together the Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, combine ¾ cup vegetable oil, ¼ cup melted unsalted butter, 1 ½ cups sugar, 3 large eggs, and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract. Whisk or beat with a mixer until the mixture is smooth and well combined—about 2 minutes. You’ll notice it becomes glossy and slightly thickened, which sets a great base for your cake batter.

Step 3: Puree the Strawberries

Using a food processor, blitz 340g fresh or thawed strawberries until you have about 1 ½ cups of puree. If you prefer a chunkier texture in your cake, leave a few small pieces intact. This fresh strawberry puree gives the cake its moist, tender crumb and natural sweetness.

Step 4: Combine Puree and Milk with Wet Ingredients

Gently add the strawberry puree along with ⅓ cup milk to your wet mixture. Use a whisk to incorporate everything evenly. This subtly pink batter will have a lovely strawberry aroma developing already—so inviting!

Step 5: Add the Dry Ingredients

Sift together 2 ¾ cups flour, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ¾ teaspoon baking soda, and 1 teaspoon salt. Gradually add this to your wet ingredients, gently whisking just until there are no lumps and everything is combined. Remember, avoid overmixing here — it keeps the cake wonderfully tender.

Step 6: Add Optional Pink Food Coloring

If you want to deepen that lovely strawberry hue, gently fold in a few drops of pink gel food coloring now. It’s purely optional but such a fun little touch to brighten the cake’s appeal.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and even out the surface with an offset spatula. Bake in your preheated oven for about 30 minutes. To check doneness, insert a toothpick in the center: it should come out with a few moist crumbs but no sticky batter. That’s the sweet spot—overbaking makes it dry, so keep a close eye!

Step 8: Cool Completely Before Frosting

Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool right in the pan at room temperature. Cooling completely is crucial—it prevents your frosting from melting when spread and keeps that luscious texture intact.

Step 9: Whisk Up the Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

In a bowl, combine 12 ounces room temperature cream cheese, ⅓ cup strawberry jam, ¼ cup granulated sugar, ⅓ cup heavy cream, and a pinch of salt. Whisk on medium-low speed until silky smooth and just combined—overmixing can make the frosting too runny, so keep it gentle. If you want, add a touch of food coloring here as well to match the cake.

Step 10: Assemble, Decorate, and Enjoy!

Once cooled, either remove the cake carefully from the pan or, if you prefer, frost it right inside the baking dish. Slather the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top, then pile on fresh sliced strawberries for that irresistible finishing touch. Slice into 12 generous pieces, serve at room temperature, and watch it disappear!

Top Tip

Making the perfect Strawberry Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe can be so rewarding, and a few simple tips can truly elevate your baking experience and final results.

Don’t Overmix the Batter: Overmixing once you add the dry ingredients can make the cake dense rather than tender. Gently whisk just until combined for that perfect light crumb.
Use Room Temperature Cream Cheese: This helps your frosting come together smoothly and silky without lumps or runniness from overmixing.
Fresh or Thawed Strawberries: Always thaw frozen strawberries fully at room temperature before pureeing. This prevents extra moisture from upsetting the batter’s consistency.
Avoid Overbaking: Pull the cake from the oven when a toothpick still has a few moist crumbs, not completely dry. It keeps the cake moist and soft—exactly what you want in a strawberry sheet cake!

How to Serve Strawberry Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

A wooden bowl filled with smooth, light pink batter that has tiny darker pink specks mixed evenly throughout. A metal whisk with a wooden handle is resting inside the bowl, slightly lifting some of the batter, showing its creamy texture. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface and has a light dusting of flour along its rim, adding a touch of rustic feel. The batter looks thick but easy to stir, with soft swirls caused by the whisk's movement. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

Fresh sliced strawberries are the star garnish here—they add a lovely burst of bright flavor and vibrant color. Consider adding a light sprinkle of powdered sugar for extra charm or a few edible flower petals for an elegant touch. If you want extra indulgence, a drizzle of melted white chocolate or a handful of toasted sliced almonds can be wonderful too.

Side Dishes

This cake shines beautifully on its own but pairs perfectly with light sides like vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a fresh berry salad to complement the strawberry notes. A cup of freshly brewed coffee or a chilled glass of sparkling rosé can also enhance your dessert experience wonderfully.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover Strawberry Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This keeps the frosting fresh and prevents it from becoming too soft. It will stay delicious for up to 3-4 days.

Freezing

You can freeze this cake by wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil or placing it in a freezer-safe container. For best texture, freeze it unfrosted and freeze the frosting separately. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before frosting and serving. Frozen cake will keep well for up to 2 months.

Reheating

Since this is a frosted cake, it’s best served at room temperature. Take it out of the fridge about 30 minutes before serving to let it soften slightly. Avoid microwaving directly, as this can melt the cream cheese frosting and alter the texture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen strawberries in this recipe?

Yes! Just make sure to thaw the strawberries at room temperature for about 30 minutes before pureeing them. This prevents extra water from affecting the cake batter.

Why shouldn’t I overmix the batter?

Overmixing after adding dry ingredients develops too much gluten and can make the cake dense and tough instead of soft and tender.

What is the best way to store this cake?

Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The cream cheese frosting needs to stay chilled to keep its texture fresh.

Can I make the frosting sweeter or thicker?

Absolutely! You can increase the quantities of cream cheese, strawberry jam, and sugar to your liking if you prefer a thicker or sweeter frosting layer.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly special about a homemade Strawberry Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe that brings smiles around any table. Its tender crumb, fresh fruit flavors, and rich yet light frosting make it a go-to for celebrations or simple moments of indulgence. I hope this recipe becomes one of your favorite staples—perfect for warm days, parties, or whenever you need a sweet hug in cake form. Happy baking, and enjoy every luscious bite!