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 color; 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 to taste

If you're craving a truly delightful dessert, this Strawberry Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe might just become your new favorite. Moist, bursting with real strawberries, and topped with silky strawberry cream cheese frosting—this cake is a bright, fresh taste of spring and summer all year round.

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 have to say, this strawberry sheet cake has quickly become one of my go-to desserts for casual get-togethers or when I want something sweet but not too fussy. It’s just so easy to whip up, and the flavor? Absolutely stunning.

Real Strawberry Flavor: We use fresh or thawed strawberries pureed right into the batter, so you get genuine berry goodness with every bite.
Simple Ingredients: Everything you need is straightforward and easy to find – no weird extras or complicated steps.
Silky Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting: The frosting adds a creamy, slightly tangy finish that makes this cake feel truly special.
Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a birthday, picnic, or just a sunny afternoon craving, this cake fits right in.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Before you start baking, let’s chat about the ingredients. Using ripe, fresh strawberries or properly thawed frozen ones will really elevate the flavor here. And small touches like cornstarch in the flour mix help keep the crumb light and tender—trust me, every detail counts!

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 adding a heavy texture.
Unsalted butter: Melted to add richness and help with that soft crumb.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake perfectly and helps create a tender crumb.
Eggs: They bind everything together and add structure.
Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor with a warm, familiar note.
Milk: Adds moisture and helps dissolve the sugar evenly into the batter.
Fresh or frozen strawberries: The star ingredient, pureed for natural sweetness and strawberry flavor.
All-purpose flour: The cake’s backbone, providing structure and lightness.
Cornstarch: Used to lighten the flour’s texture for a softer slice.
Baking soda & baking powder: These leaveners ensure the cake rises nicely and stays fluffy.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
Pink gel food color (optional): Gives the cake a fun, vibrant hue without changing the flavor.
Cream cheese: The base of the frosting, adding creamy tanginess and richness.
Strawberry jam: Boosts the strawberry flavor in the frosting and adds a subtle sweetness.
Granulated sugar (for frosting): Sweetens while keeping the frosting silky smooth.
Heavy cream: Lightens the frosting's texture and makes it spreadable.
Pinch of salt (for frosting): Just a small touch to balance all the sweetness.
Fresh strawberries (for decoration): Adds a fresh, inviting look and extra berry flavor on top.

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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

The beauty of this Strawberry Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is how easy it is to personalize. Whether you’re adapting for a special diet or playing around with seasonal flavors, this cake welcomes your creativity with open arms.

Dietary variation: I’ve swapped the regular milk for almond milk to keep it dairy-free, and the cake still came out moist and flavorful. Just make sure your strawberry jam is vegan-friendly if you go this route.
Seasonal twist: During summer, I love adding a dash of fresh lemon zest to the batter to brighten that fresh strawberry flavor even more. It’s a small addition, but it really perks up the whole cake!
Extra frosting love: If you’re a frosting fan like me, don’t be shy about doubling the cream cheese frosting. It gives the cake an even creamier hug of strawberry goodness.
Color boost: Adding a few drops of pink gel food color enhances the cake’s pretty pink hue beautifully, making it perfect for birthdays or baby showers.

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: Prepping Your Oven and Pan

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (conventional, no fan). This is the perfect temperature for baking the cake evenly without drying it out. While the oven warms up, line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Lining the pan makes removing the cake a breeze and keeps its edges perfectly intact.

Step 2: Mixing the Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, combine ¾ cup vegetable oil, ¼ cup melted unsalted butter, 1 ½ cups granulated sugar, 3 large eggs, and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract. Use a hand mixer or whisk for about 2 minutes until the mixture is silky smooth and well combined. This is where the cake’s moisture and tenderness start building, so get ready for a rich, luscious batter.

Step 3: Strawberry Puree Magic

Take 340 grams of fresh or thawed frozen strawberries and blitz them in a food processor until you get about 1 ½ cups of puree. I personally like to leave a little texture to keep some strawberry bits in the batter—it adds a lovely burst of fresh flavor with every bite. Once pureed, stir the strawberries along with ⅓ cup milk into your wet ingredients until fully combined.

Step 4: Gently Folding in the Dry Ingredients

Sift together 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ¾ teaspoon baking soda, and 1 teaspoon salt. Slowly whisk these dry ingredients into your wet mixture, folding gently just until combined and no lumps remain. Remember: overmixing is the enemy here—it can make the cake dense instead of light and tender. If you want a pretty pink cake, now’s the time to add a few drops of pink gel food coloring and fold it in gently.

Step 5: Baking to Perfection

Pour your batter evenly into the prepared pan and slide it into the preheated oven. Bake for about 30 minutes. To check doneness, insert a toothpick in the center: it should come out with a few moist crumbs—not wet batter. This ensures the cake stays moist and soft rather than drying out. Once baked, let it cool completely at room temperature before moving on.

Step 6: Whipping Up the Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

In a clean bowl, add 12 ounces of room temperature cream cheese, ⅓ cup strawberry jam, ¼ cup granulated sugar, ⅓ cup heavy cream, and a pinch of salt. Whisk together on medium-low speed until smooth and lump-free. Be careful not to overwhip—it can turn runny and lose that velvety texture we’re after. If you’d like, add a little pink food coloring here too, for an extra pop of color!

Step 7: Assemble and Adorn

Once your cake has cooled, you can gently lift it out of the pan using the parchment sling or frost it right in the pan. Spread the strawberry cream cheese frosting evenly over the top, then decorate with fresh, sliced strawberries however you like. This final flourish adds freshness and a stunning finish to your beautiful dessert.

Step 8: Serve and Savor

Slice your cake into 12 generous servings and enjoy at room temperature to taste its moist texture and rich strawberry flavor at their best. Leftovers store beautifully in the fridge—just bring them back to room temp before serving for a soft, fresh bite every time.

Top Tip

When baking a strawberry sheet cake, a few insider tips can truly elevate your final result, making your Strawberry Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe shine both in taste and texture.

Gentle Mixing: I’ve found that mixing the dry ingredients into the wet just until combined—not a moment longer—keeps the cake incredibly tender and moist.
Strawberry Puree Texture: Leaving a little texture in the strawberry puree adds lovely bursts of natural strawberry flavor throughout the cake, giving it that fresh homemade feel.
Cool Completely: Don’t rush frosting! Letting the cake cool fully at room temperature ensures the cream cheese frosting stays silky and smooth without melting.
Avoid Overbaking: Paying close attention to the toothpick test and pulling the cake out as soon as the center has only moist crumbs keeps the cake from drying out.

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, naturally. For extra flair, try adding a sprinkle of finely chopped toasted almonds or fresh mint leaves. A light dusting of powdered sugar over the top just before serving adds a touch of elegance and sweetness without overpowering the vibrant strawberry flavor.

Side Dishes

This Strawberry Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting pairs beautifully with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. For a spring or summer gathering, serve alongside a fresh tossed green salad with a light vinaigrette or a refreshing glass of sparkling lemonade to balance the rich sweetness.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After serving, wrap any leftover Strawberry Sheet Cake tightly with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container. Keep it refrigerated to maintain freshness, as the cream cheese frosting is perishable. Stored this way, it’ll stay delicious for up to 3 days.

Freezing

You can freeze the cake before frosting by wrapping it well in plastic wrap and then in foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge and then frost as usual for the best fresh taste and texture.

Reheating

This cake is best enjoyed at room temperature. To serve leftovers, simply let refrigerated slices sit out for 15–20 minutes before enjoying. Avoid microwaving as it can melt the frosting and affect texture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen strawberries for this strawberry sheet cake?

Yes! Just make sure to thaw your frozen strawberries completely at room temperature for about 30 minutes before pureeing to maintain the cake’s texture and moisture.

Why shouldn’t I overmix the batter?

Overmixing develops gluten and can make the cake dense and tough. Mixing just until the dry ingredients are blended keeps the crumb soft and tender.

Can I make the frosting thicker?

Absolutely! This recipe yields a light layer of frosting, but you can increase the quantities of cream cheese, strawberry jam, and cream if you prefer a thicker, more luxurious layer.

How do I store leftover cake?

Store leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep the frosting fresh. It will stay good for up to 3 days. Let it come to room temperature before serving for the best flavor.

Final Thoughts

Making this Strawberry Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe brings such joy—it's simple yet bursting with fresh strawberry flavor that truly feels like a celebration of the season. Whether you’re baking for a family gathering or a casual dessert, this cake’s moist texture and silky frosting never fail to impress. I hope these tips and serving ideas help you create a wonderful, memorable treat that everyone will adore. Happy baking!