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’ve ever dreamed of a dessert that’s bursting with fresh strawberry flavor yet stays wonderfully moist and tender, you've got to try this Strawberry Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe. It’s perfect whether you’re serving up for guests or simply craving a sweet treat that feels like a hug in cake form.

A close-up view of a rectangular slice of light brown cake with a thick, smooth layer of pink frosting on top, decorated with three small fresh red strawberries and red sprinkles scattered over the frosting. The cake is being lifted by a clear spatula, showing its soft crumb texture inside. Around the slice, other pieces of the same cake with similar pink frosting and strawberry toppings are slightly visible, all set on a white marbled surface. 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

Honestly, this strawberry sheet cake quickly became one of my go-to desserts because it delivers such fresh, juicy flavor with zero fuss. Plus, the cream cheese frosting gives it that silky, tangy finish that just can’t be beat.

Fresh Strawberry Goodness: The cake batter includes vibrant strawberry puree, making every bite taste like springtime.
Easy to Make: No complicated steps here—just straightforward mixing and baking in a single 9x13 inch pan.
Moist and Tender Texture: Thanks to a balanced blend of oils and butter, this cake stays perfectly soft.
Light, Silky Frosting: The cream cheese frosting is blended with strawberry jam for that luscious strawberry creaminess.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Before we dive into the baking, let me share a few thoughts on picking the best ingredients. Fresh or frozen strawberries both work wonderfully, just thaw the frozen ones first. And using room temperature cream cheese is the key to a smooth, creamy frosting you’ll love spreading on your cake.

Flat lay of a small pool of vegetable oil in a simple white ceramic bowl, a few unsalted butter cubes melted and pooled in a small white bowl, a small white bowl filled with granulated sugar, three whole brown eggs with clean shells arranged in a triangle, a small white bowl holding pale vanilla extract, a small white bowl with fresh milk, fresh whole strawberries both whole and sliced revealing bright red juicy interiors, a small white bowl with all-purpose flour, a small white bowl with fine cornstarch, a small white bowl containing baking soda powder, a small white bowl containing baking powder, a small white bowl with fine salt, a small white bowl of cream cheese at room temperature, a small white bowl filled with vibrant red strawberry jam, a small white bowl of granulated sugar for the frosting, a small white bowl of heavy cream, and a pinch of salt displayed neatly and symmetrically, all 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 overpowering the strawberry flavor.
Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and depth to the batter with a velvety finish.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps achieve a tender crumb.
Large Eggs: Provide structure and richness for a perfect rise.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances the natural strawberry notes and rounds out the flavor profile.
Milk: Adds moisture and softens the cake texture.
Fresh or Frozen Strawberries: Pureed into the batter to infuse fresh fruity flavor throughout.
All-Purpose Flour: The cake’s backbone for structure and stability.
Cornstarch: Helps keep the crumb tender and light.
Baking Soda & Baking Powder: These leavening agents ensure the cake rises beautifully and stays airy.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances flavors.
Pink Gel Food Color (Optional): Adds a pretty blush to the batter for an Instagram-worthy look.
Cream Cheese: The base of the frosting, giving it its characteristic tang and creamy texture.
Strawberry Jam: Boosts the strawberry flavor in the frosting with natural sweetness.
Granulated Sugar (for Frosting): Just the right amount of sweetness without overpowering the cream cheese.
Heavy Cream: Whipped into the frosting for that silky, spreadable smoothness.
Pinch of Salt: Balances and enhances the frosting’s flavor.
Fresh Strawberries for Decoration: Adds a fresh, juicy pop and makes the cake look irresistible.

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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 things about this Strawberry Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is how easy it is to customize. Whether you want to tweak flavors, adjust sweetness, or fit dietary needs, a little creativity goes a long way to make it truly yours!

Vegan Variation: I’ve swapped the eggs for a flaxseed "egg" and used vegan butter and cream cheese alternatives to create a dairy-free, egg-free version. The cake still stays moist and flavorful — a real crowd-pleaser for plant-based guests!
Low-Sugar Option: Reducing the sugar or replacing it with natural sweeteners like maple syrup or coconut sugar works well here. Just be sure to keep an eye on your baking time since this can affect how the cake browns and rises.
Seasonal Twist: While fresh strawberries shine in spring and summer, I’ve also loved using frozen berries in the winter after thawing them — the flavor still comes through beautifully, and it’s a lovely way to brighten chilly days.
Extra Fruity Kick: Adding a sprinkle of chopped fresh mint or a handful of blueberries atop the frosted cake is a fresh, vibrant way to elevate both presentation and flavor.

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

A slice of light pink cake sits on a white scalloped plate, topped with a creamy layer of pale pink frosting and decorated with fresh, red strawberry slices. The cake has one visible layer of soft, moist texture. There are crumbs scattered near the slice, and a gold fork is placed under the cake, lifting it slightly. In the background, there is another larger piece of the same cake on a white scalloped plate, also topped with pink frosting and whole strawberries. Bright red strawberries and dried strawberry pieces are scattered on a white marbled surface around the plates. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Preheat and Prep Your Pan Like a Pro

Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit—make sure it’s the conventional (no fan) setting to get the perfect bake. While it warms up, line a 9x13 inch baking pan with parchment paper. This simple step ensures your cake lifts out easily, keeping the edges intact and your cleanup a breeze.

Step 2: Whisk the Wet Ingredients to Smooth Perfection

In a large mixing bowl, combine the vegetable oil, melted unsalted butter, granulated sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract. Whisk or beat the mix for about 2 minutes until it’s silky smooth and well blended. This mix is the foundation of your cake’s moist crumb, so take your time here — it should look glossy and inviting.

Step 3: Create Your Fresh Strawberry Puree

Grab 340 grams of fresh or thawed strawberries and blitz them in a food processor or blender until smooth—but don’t overdo it! I like leaving a bit of texture for a more homemade vibe and extra bursts of strawberry flavor throughout the cake.

Step 4: Mix the Puree and Milk into the Batter

Add your strawberry puree and ⅓ cup (80g) of milk to the wet mixture. Whisk these together gently until everything is beautifully combined. This step brightens the batter with fresh fruity flavor and helps keep the cake tender and moist.

Step 5: Fold in Dry Ingredients – Don’t Overmix!

Sift together 2¾ cups (360g) all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons cornstarch (20g), ¾ teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and 1 teaspoon salt. Gently whisk these dry ingredients into your wet mixture until just combined and no lumps remain. Overmixing here can toughen the cake, so a few streaks of flour remaining are okay at this point.

Step 6: Add a Pretty Pink Pop (Optional)

If you want to amp up the color, add a few drops of pink gel food coloring and fold it gently through the batter. This is totally optional but gives your cake a charming rosy glow that looks as good as it tastes.

Step 7: Bake to Moist Perfection

Pour your batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for about 30 minutes, but start checking at 25 minutes by inserting a toothpick in the center. It should come out with just a few moist crumbs—not wet batter. This careful timing is key to keeping your cake tender and juicy.

Step 8: Cool Completely Before Frosting

Allow your beautiful strawberry sheet cake to cool at room temperature completely—around 10 minutes or more. Frosting a warm cake will melt the cream cheese frosting, so patience here pays off with a smooth, luxurious finish.

Step 9: Whip Up That Silky Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

In a clean bowl, whisk together 12 oz (340g) room temperature cream cheese, ⅓ cup (80g) strawberry jam, ¼ cup (60g) granulated sugar, ⅓ cup (80g) heavy cream, and a pinch of salt on medium-low speed. Whisk just until smooth and lump-free—overmixing can make the frosting runny, so keep a gentle touch here. Feel free to add food coloring here if you like it extra pink!

Step 10: Assemble, Decorate, and Delight

Once cooled, either remove the cake from the pan or frost directly in it. Spread the strawberry cream cheese frosting in a smooth, even layer all over the cake. Garnish generously with fresh sliced strawberries—they add lovely texture and a pop of color that make every slice irresistible. Slice, serve, and savor!

Top Tip

Making the perfect Strawberry Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is easier when you keep a few handy tips in mind to ensure the cake stays moist, tender, and beautifully topped.

Gentle Mixing: I found that gently folding in the dry ingredients keeps the crumb light and tender—overmixing makes the cake dense and tough, which we definitely want to avoid.
Strawberry Puree Texture: Leaving a bit of texture in the strawberry puree adds delightful fruitiness and freshness, giving each bite extra character.
Perfect Doneness Check: Always test with a toothpick in the center; a few moist crumbs should cling to it, but no wet batter. This prevents overbaking and keeps the cake moist.
Room Temperature Ingredients: Using room temperature cream cheese and eggs helps you achieve that silky smooth frosting without lumps or runniness.

How to Serve Strawberry Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

A wooden bowl filled with thick, smooth pink batter that has small red specks mixed evenly throughout. A metal whisk with a wooden handle is resting in the batter, with batter coating the whisk’s loops. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface, and there is some dusting of flour around the rim of the bowl and on the surface. The batter looks creamy and soft with gentle swirls made by the whisk. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

Fresh is best here — top your cake generously with sliced fresh strawberries for a burst of color and natural sweetness. You can also add a light dusting of powdered sugar or edible flowers to elevate the presentation. For a fun twist, sprinkle some toasted almonds or chopped pistachios on top for crunch.

Side Dishes

This strawberry sheet cake pairs beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra indulgence. For a lighter contrast, serve alongside fresh fruit salad or a simple green mint salad to brighten the meal.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover Strawberry Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This keeps the frosting fresh and the cake moist for up to 3 days. Let it come to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and texture.

Freezing

You can freeze the unfrosted cake tightly wrapped in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil for up to 2 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before frosting. Avoid freezing the frosted cake, as the cream cheese frosting may become watery upon thawing.

Reheating

If you prefer warm cake, slice your portion and briefly warm it in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. Just be careful not to overheat, or the frosting might soften too much. Remember, this cake shines best at room temperature or slightly chilled.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen strawberries for this cake?

Absolutely! Just be sure to thaw the frozen strawberries at room temperature for about 30 minutes before pureeing them to maintain the right texture and moisture level in the cake batter.

Why shouldn’t I overmix the batter?

Overmixing develops gluten in the flour which can toughen the cake, making it dense rather than soft and tender. Gently whisking until just combined keeps the crumb light and moist.

How do I know when the cake is done baking?

Insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. It should come out with a few moist crumbs clinging to it but no wet batter. This ensures the cake is fully baked yet still moist.

Can I double the frosting recipe?

Yes! The current frosting layer is light, so if you prefer more frosting per slice, simply double the frosting ingredients to get a thicker, creamier layer on your cake.

Final Thoughts

Baking this Strawberry Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is truly a joy, especially knowing how simple ingredients come together to create something so vibrant and delicious. Whether you’re serving it for a special occasion or just because, each bite is bursting with fresh strawberry flavor and creamy frosting that feels like a hug. I hope you enjoy making and sharing this cake as much as I do!