Can I use fresh strawberries in this cake instead of jam?

Fresh strawberries won't provide the same concentrated flavor and can add too much moisture to the batter. Stick with jam for the best results in both the cake and frosting. You can always use fresh berries as a garnish!

My cake didn't turn out pink enough. What happened?

The pink color depends on the jam you use. Some jams have more vibrant color than others. If you want a distinctly pink cake, adding a few drops of food coloring is the most reliable method.

Can I make this cake without a stand mixer?

Absolutely! You can use a hand mixer for all the mixing steps. Just be sure to cream the butter and sugar thoroughly and mix until all ingredients are well incorporated.

Is there a dairy-free version of this recipe?

You can substitute the butter with a plant-based butter, use a non-dairy milk with a teaspoon of vinegar instead of buttermilk, and try a dairy-free cream cheese alternative for the frosting. The texture may be slightly different, but you'll still get that delicious strawberry flavor.

Strawberry Sheet Cake Recipe

Name: Strawberry Sheet Cake Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup butter, room temperature; 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar; 1/2 cup vegetable oil; 3/4 cup seedless strawberry jam; 4 eggs; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 2 teaspoons baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; 3 cups all-purpose flour; 3/4 cup buttermilk; Optional: a few drops of pink food coloring; 1/2 cup butter, room temperature; 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature; 1/4 cup seedless strawberry jam; 3 cups powdered sugar

This Strawberry Sheet Cake is a slice of pink perfection that brings together the natural sweetness of strawberries with a rich, moist texture that melts in your mouth. Topped with a creamy strawberry cream cheese frosting, this cake strikes the perfect balance between tangy and sweet. It’s the ultimate crowd-pleaser that can be whipped up in under an hour for any occasion from birthday parties to summer potlucks!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Incredibly Moist: The combination of butter and oil creates a cake with the perfect texture that stays moist for days.
Real Strawberry Flavor: Using strawberry jam infuses authentic berry flavor throughout both the cake and frosting.
Simple Preparation: No complicated techniques needed – just mix, bake, and frost!
Crowd-Pleaser: This generous 9×13 cake feeds a crowd and always gets rave reviews.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Perfect for preparing a day before your event, as the flavors develop beautifully overnight.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Cake:

Butter: Creates a rich foundation and adds that irreplaceable buttery flavor.
Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a tender crumb.
Vegetable Oil: The secret to keeping the cake moist for days.
Strawberry Jam: Infuses real strawberry flavor throughout the cake – much better than artificial flavorings!
Eggs: Provide structure and richness to the cake.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances the strawberry flavor with its warm notes.
Baking Powder & Baking Soda: The perfect leavening duo that ensures a beautiful rise.
Kosher Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
All-Purpose Flour: The structural foundation of the cake.
Buttermilk: Adds tanginess and creates a tender crumb through its acidity.
Pink Food Coloring: Completely optional, but adds a beautiful pink hue if your jam doesn’t provide enough color.

For the Frosting:

Butter: Creates a rich, stable base for the frosting.
Cream Cheese: Adds tanginess that perfectly complements the sweet strawberry flavor.
Strawberry Jam: Infuses real strawberry flavor into the frosting.
Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes the frosting to perfect spreading consistency.

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.

Variations

Berry Swap

Try using raspberry or blackberry jam instead of strawberry for a different berry experience.

Chocolate Lover’s Version

Add 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips to the batter for a chocolate-covered strawberry vibe.

Citrus Twist

Add 1 tablespoon of lemon or orange zest to the batter for a bright, citrusy complement to the strawberries.

Layered Delight

Divide the batter between two 9-inch round pans to create a stunning layered cake for special occasions.

How to Make Strawberry Sheet Cake

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Pan

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Thoroughly coat a 9×13 baking dish with baking spray, or line it with parchment paper and spray for easy removal later.

Step 2: Cream the Base Ingredients

In your stand mixer with the paddle attachment, mix butter and sugar for 2 minutes on medium speed. The mixture won’t become completely fluffy due to the sugar-to-butter ratio, but that’s perfectly fine. Add in the vegetable oil and mix until creamy, then incorporate the strawberry jam.

Step 3: Add Remaining Wet Ingredients

Mix in the eggs, vanilla extract, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until the batter is smooth and well-combined.

Step 4: Incorporate Dry Ingredients

With the mixer on low speed, alternate adding the flour and buttermilk, starting and ending with flour (flour-buttermilk-flour-buttermilk-flour). Mix just until combined to avoid overdeveloping the gluten. If you want a more vibrant pink color, now’s the time to add a few drops of food coloring.

Step 5: Bake the Cake

Spread the batter evenly in your prepared pan. Bake for 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely in the pan before frosting.

Step 6: Make the Frosting

Beat butter and cream cheese together until smooth. Add the strawberry jam and mix well. Gradually add the powdered sugar on low speed, then increase to medium and beat until creamy and smooth.

Step 7: Frost and Garnish

Spread the frosting over your cooled cake in an even layer. For a beautiful presentation, garnish with fresh strawberries just before serving.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter, eggs, and cream cheese are truly at room temperature for the smoothest batter and frosting.
Don’t Overmix: Once you add the flour, mix just until combined to ensure a tender cake.
Quality Jam Matters: Use a high-quality strawberry jam for the best flavor – seedless varieties work best for a smooth texture.
Level the Batter: Gently tap the filled cake pan on the counter a few times to remove air bubbles and ensure an even rise.
Cooling is Crucial: Make sure the cake is completely cooled before frosting to prevent the cream cheese frosting from melting.

How to Serve

Perfect Pairings

Serve slices with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream for an extra-special dessert.

Beverage Companions

This cake pairs beautifully with coffee, tea, or a glass of cold milk. For adults, a dessert wine like Moscato or a champagne cocktail makes a lovely accompaniment.

Garnish Ideas

Beyond fresh strawberries, try white chocolate shavings, mint leaves, or a light dusting of powdered sugar for an elegant presentation.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep this cake stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The cream cheese frosting requires refrigeration, but the cake actually tastes even better on day two as the flavors have time to meld.

Freezing

You can freeze unfrosted cake for up to 3 months. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. The frosted cake can also be frozen in slices, though the texture of the frosting may change slightly upon thawing.

Reheating

Allow refrigerated cake to come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving for the best flavor and texture. If you’ve frozen slices, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator.

FAQs

Can I use fresh strawberries in this cake instead of jam?

Fresh strawberries won’t provide the same concentrated flavor and can add too much moisture to the batter. Stick with jam for the best results in both the cake and frosting. You can always use fresh berries as a garnish!
My cake didn’t turn out pink enough. What happened?

The pink color depends on the jam you use. Some jams have more vibrant color than others. If you want a distinctly pink cake, adding a few drops of food coloring is the most reliable method.
Can I make this cake without a stand mixer?

Absolutely! You can use a hand mixer for all the mixing steps. Just be sure to cream the butter and sugar thoroughly and mix until all ingredients are well incorporated.
Is there a dairy-free version of this recipe?

You can substitute the butter with a plant-based butter, use a non-dairy milk with a teaspoon of vinegar instead of buttermilk, and try a dairy-free cream cheese alternative for the frosting. The texture may be slightly different, but you’ll still get that delicious strawberry flavor.

Final Thoughts

This Strawberry Sheet Cake is sunshine on a plate! It’s the kind of recipe that brings smiles to faces and has everyone asking for seconds. The beautiful balance of sweet strawberry flavor with tangy cream cheese frosting creates a dessert that’s impressive yet approachable. Whether for a birthday, potluck, or simply because it’s Tuesday, this cake is sure to become a staple in your dessert rotation.