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 of 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 to taste, sliced

Imagine biting into a moist, tender cake bursting with fresh strawberry flavor, topped off with a silky smooth frosting that’s just the right balance of sweet and tangy. That’s exactly what this Strawberry Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe delivers — and trust me, it’s a dessert you’re going to want on repeat!

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’m so excited to share this fresh strawberry sheet cake with you because it’s one of those easy-to-make desserts that feels extra special. It’s perfect for when strawberries are in season or when you just want a quick summer-inspired cake with minimal fuss.

Simple Ingredients: Uses fresh or frozen strawberries and pantry staples you probably already have on hand.
Moist and Fluffy: The cake is perfectly tender with just the right crumb thanks to a mix of flour and cornstarch.
Silky Strawberry Frosting: Cream cheese frosting enhanced with strawberry jam adds a beautiful flavor twist.
Easy to Serve: Baked in a 9x13 inch pan, it’s great for gatherings or feeding a crowd effortlessly.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Before you start, here’s a quick overview of the ingredients I love using in this cake and why they’re essential. A few tips on picking quality strawberries and basics you’ll want close by.

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 without weighing it down, plus it blends beautifully with melted butter.
Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and a lovely soft texture when melted into the batter.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cake just right, balancing the strawberry’s natural tang.
Eggs: They give structure and help the cake rise well.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances the strawberry flavor with a warm, aromatic touch.
Milk: Adds tenderness and helps dissolve the dry ingredients evenly.
Fresh or Frozen Strawberries: The star of the show—pureed to pack flavor into every bite. Frozen works great but thaw first!
All-Purpose Flour: Provides the body and crumb for the cake.
Cornstarch: A little secret ingredient to tenderize the crumb and keep the cake fluffy.
Baking Soda & Baking Powder: Both work to give the cake the perfect rise and light texture.
Salt: Balances sweetness and deepens overall flavor.
Pink Gel Food Coloring (Optional): For that pretty blush color that makes this cake extra festive.
Cream Cheese: Room temperature for the smoothest frosting with a tangy richness.
Strawberry Jam: Added to the frosting to echo the fresh strawberry flavor and add natural sweetness.
Heavy Cream: Whipped into the frosting to give it a silky lightness.
Fresh Strawberries (for decoration): Sliced on top for that beautiful finishing touch and bursts of freshness.

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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 customize. Whether you’re looking to tweak the flavors, adapt it for different diets, or add a seasonal twist, this cake welcomes your creativity!

Variation: For a lighter, fresher take, I love swapping out half the vegetable oil for unsweetened applesauce. It keeps the cake moist but trims some calories — perfect for summer picnics where you want a refreshing treat without the heaviness.
Seasonal Twist: Try stirring in a handful of fresh chopped mint or basil leaves into the batter for a subtle herbal note that pairs wonderfully with the strawberries. It’s unexpected but delightful!
Dairy-Free Version: To make this recipe dairy-free, substitute the butter for coconut oil and use a plant-based cream cheese for the frosting. It still tastes indulgently creamy and is a hit with all my dairy-sensitive friends.
Extra Berry Boost: If you’re a berry fanatic like me, adding a handful of fresh blueberries or raspberries into the batter before baking adds pops of juicy flavor and a pretty burst of color.

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 Baking Pan

Start by setting your oven to 350°F (conventional, no fan) so it’s perfectly warm when your batter’s ready. Line a 9x13 inch pan with parchment paper—this little step ensures your cake comes out clean and easy to slice, without risking those frustrating crumbs sticking to the pan.

Step 2: Whisk the Wet Ingredients Together

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. Using either a hand whisk or an electric mixer, beat everything together for about 2 minutes until the mixture looks smooth and silky. This forms a rich and tender base for your cake, so take your time to get it silky and well combined.

Step 3: Puree Those Strawberries

Fresh or frozen, the strawberries are the star here! Blitz 340g of strawberries in your food processor until they turn into a beautiful puree. You can leave some chunks if you like a little texture in your cake — it adds a lovely, natural feel with tasty strawberry bits peeking through.

Step 4: Combine Strawberry Puree and Milk with Wet Mix

Add the strawberry puree and ⅓ cup milk to your wet ingredients bowl. Whisk them in gently and evenly until everything looks beautifully blended. This strawberry-infused batter will give the cake its moist, fluffy texture and vibrant flavor.

Step 5: Sift and Fold 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. Adding these ingredients slowly into the wet mixture helps avoid lumps and gives the cake perfect rise and tenderness. Fold the dry ingredients in with a hand whisk gently—just until combined; overmixing can make the cake dense, and we want soft and fluffy every time.

Step 6: Add Optional Pink Gel Food Coloring

If you want your cake to look extra festive and pretty, add a few drops of pink gel food coloring here. Gently fold it in to tint the batter a lovely rosy hue that will make this cake perfect for summer parties or special occasions.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Pour your batter into the prepared pan, spreading evenly. Pop it in the oven and bake for about 25 to 30 minutes. The best way to check if it’s done is with a toothpick test — insert one into the center of the cake. It should come out with a few moist crumbs but no wet batter. Don’t overbake or your cake can dry out! Once baked, let it cool completely at room temperature before the next step.

Step 8: Whisk Together the Cream Cheese Frosting

In a clean bowl, add 12 oz 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 everything is perfectly smooth and silky without lumps. Be careful not to overmix — a little patience here ensures your frosting stays thick and creamy, not runny. You can also add a bit of pink gel color to coordinate with the cake if you'd like.

Step 9: Assemble and Decorate Your Masterpiece

Once the cake has completely cooled, either remove it from the pan or leave it in for easy serving. Spread the luscious cream cheese frosting evenly over the top, then decorate generously with fresh sliced strawberries. This final step adds a burst of freshness and a beautiful finish that’s sure to impress.

Step 10: Slice, Serve, and Enjoy!

Cut into 12 slices and enjoy at room temperature for the best flavor and texture. Remember to store any leftovers in the fridge to keep the frosting fresh — just bring slices back to room temperature before serving.

Top Tip

These tips can make your Strawberry Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe turn out perfectly every time, so you get that moist, tender cake and frosting that’s just the right consistency.

Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature before making the frosting – it whips up silky smooth without lumps or a runny texture.
Don’t Overmix Your Batter: Just whisk the dry ingredients into the wet until combined. Overmixing can make the cake dense instead of fluffy, and trust me, the softness makes all the difference!
Fresh or Thawed Strawberries Work Great: If you’re using frozen strawberries, thaw them at room temperature for 30 minutes for an easy, flavorful puree that blends perfectly into the batter.
Keep an Eye on Baking Time: Your cake should come out with moist crumbs on a toothpick, but no wet batter. Baking a little too long can dry it out, so check around the 25-minute mark.

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

Top your beautifully frosted sheet cake with fresh sliced strawberries for that extra pop of summer flavor and color. You can also sprinkle lightly with edible flower petals, or add a dusting of powdered sugar just before serving for a delicate finish.

Side Dishes

This strawberry cake is a star on its own, but if you’re hosting a gathering, consider pairing it with a light side like vanilla bean ice cream, fresh whipped cream, or a simple berry salad to complement the fruity flavors beautifully.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your Strawberry Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting in the refrigerator to keep the frosting fresh and the cake moist. Keep it covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Freezing

You can freeze the cake (without fresh strawberry garnish) by wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving, then bring to room temperature for best taste.

Reheating

Since this is a frosted cake, reheating isn’t necessary or recommended. However, if you prefer it a little warmer, allow the cake to reach room temperature naturally after removing it from the fridge for about 30-45 minutes before slicing and serving.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?

Absolutely! Just be sure to thaw the frozen strawberries at room temperature for about 30 minutes before pureeing. This helps you achieve the best texture and flavor for your strawberry sheet cake.

How can I make the frosting thicker?

The recipe creates a light layer of cream cheese frosting, but if you want it thicker, simply increase the quantities of cream cheese, strawberry jam, sugar, and heavy cream proportionally, then whisk until smooth.

Is it necessary to add food coloring?

Nope! The natural pink hue from the fresh strawberries usually provides a lovely color. But if you want a more vibrant look, adding a few drops of pink gel food coloring to both batter and frosting is a fun option.

What’s the best way to tell when the cake is done baking?

Insert a toothpick into the center of the cake after about 25 minutes. It should come out with a few moist crumbs attached but no wet batter. This ensures your cake stays moist and tender without being under or overbaked.

Final Thoughts

Making this Strawberry Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is such a joyful experience—fresh strawberries bursting with flavor and that smooth, tangy frosting all come together effortlessly. Whether for summer picnics or special occasions, it's a dessert that feels just like a warm hug on a plate. I hope you enjoy making and sharing this cake as much as I do!