Description
Strawberry sheet cake brings summer’s sweetness to your dessert table with a delightful blend of fresh berries and moist, tender crumb. Rich strawberry flavors and creamy frosting create a perfect treat you’ll want to share with friends and family.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Cake Ingredients:
- 2 sticks (1 cup) butter, softened
- 1 3/4 cups sugar
- 2 1/2 cups flour
- 3 eggs, room temperature
- 1 box (3 ounces) strawberry jello
Liquid and Flavoring Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup fresh strawberry puree
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Leavening and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Frosting Ingredients:
- 1/2 package (4 ounces) softened cream cheese
- 1/2 stick (1/4 cup) butter
- 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup fresh strawberry puree
Instructions
- Position the oven rack in the middle and heat to 350°F. Coat the baking dish thoroughly with non-stick spray or butter to ensure easy cake removal.
- Cream the softened butter, strawberry jello, and sugar in a large mixing bowl for 2-3 minutes until the mixture becomes light and airy, creating a smooth base for the cake.
- Incorporate eggs individually, fully blending each one before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract to enhance the flavor profile.
- In a separate bowl, sift together the dry ingredients – flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt – to guarantee uniform distribution and prevent potential lumps.
- Introduce half of the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with buttermilk. Gently mix until just combined, avoiding overmixing to maintain the cake’s delicate texture.
- Carefully fold in the fresh strawberry puree, which will transform the batter into a soft pink hue and infuse a vibrant fruity aroma.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly. Bake for 38-42 minutes, testing with a toothpick at 38 minutes. When the toothpick emerges clean, remove from the oven and allow the cake to cool completely before applying frosting.
Notes
- Choose room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth, even mixing and optimal cake texture.
- Avoid overmixing the batter, which can lead to a tough, dense cake – stop mixing as soon as ingredients are just combined.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend that contains xanthan gum for better structure.
- Enhance strawberry flavor by adding finely chopped fresh strawberries to the batter or using strawberry extract alongside the jello for a more intense fruit profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 40 g
- Sodium: 160 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg