A light, tender cake bursting with real strawberry flavor, topped with a luscious strawberry cream cheese frosting and fresh sliced strawberries. Perfect for spring gatherings, picnics, or any time you want a dessert that feels both nostalgic and fresh.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Made with real strawberries for authentic flavor.
Soft, moist crumb thanks to the oil–butter combination.
Creamy, tangy strawberry cream cheese frosting.
Easy to bake in one pan—no layering required.
Can be made with fresh or frozen strawberries.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the Strawberry Sheet Cake

170 g (¾ cup) vegetable oil
56 g (¼ cup) unsalted butter, melted
300 g (1 ½ cups) granulated sugar
3 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
80 g (⅓ cup) milk
340 g fresh or frozen strawberries (about 1 ½ cups puree; thaw frozen berries for 30 minutes beforehand)
360 g (2 ¾ cups) all-purpose flour
20 g (2 tablespoons) cornstarch
1 teaspoon baking powder
¾ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
Optional: a few drops of pink gel food coloring

For the Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

340 g (12 oz) cream cheese, room temperature
80 g (⅓ cup) strawberry jam
60 g (¼ cup) granulated sugar
80 g (⅓ cup) heavy cream
Pinch of salt
Fresh strawberries for topping

Directions

Prepare the Cake Batter
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C), conventional (no fan). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together vegetable oil, melted butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth (about 2 minutes).
- Blitz strawberries in a food processor until they form a puree (leave some small pieces if desired).
- Add strawberry puree and milk to the wet mixture; whisk to combine.
- Sift in flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gently whisk until just combined—do not overmix.
- If using food coloring, fold it in gently.
Bake the Cake
- Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25–30 minutes. Check with a toothpick—it should come out with a few moist crumbs, not wet batter.
- Cool the cake completely at room temperature.
Make the Frosting
- In a bowl, combine cream cheese, strawberry jam, sugar, heavy cream, and salt. Whisk on medium-low until smooth and lump-free. Avoid overmixing to prevent runny frosting.
- Add a drop of food coloring if desired.
Assemble and Decorate
- Spread frosting evenly over the cooled cake.
- Top with fresh sliced strawberries.
- Slice, serve, and enjoy.

Servings And Timing

Servings: 12–15 slices
Prep time: 20 minutes
Bake time: 25–30 minutes
Cooling and assembly: 1 hour
Total time: about 1 hour 50 minutes

Variations

Use mixed berries (raspberries, blueberries) for a berry sheet cake.
Add lemon zest to the batter for a fresh citrus note.
Swap strawberry jam in the frosting for raspberry jam.
Make cupcakes instead—bake 18–20 minutes.
Drizzle with white chocolate before serving for extra indulgence.

Storage/Reheating

Storage: Refrigerate covered for up to 4 days.
Freezing: Freeze unfrosted cake for up to 2 months; thaw before frosting.
Best served at room temperature—let chilled slices sit out for 20–30 minutes before eating.

FAQs

Can I Use Frozen Strawberries?

Yes, just thaw them for 30 minutes and drain excess liquid before pureeing.

Do I Have To Add Food Coloring?

No, it’s purely for a stronger pink color—flavor stays the same.

Can I Use All Butter Instead Of Oil?

You can, but the cake will be slightly denser and less moist.

What If I Don’t Have Cornstarch?

Replace with the same amount of all-purpose flour, though the crumb will be slightly less tender.

Can I Use Whole Wheat Flour?

You can substitute up to half the flour with whole wheat for a nuttier flavor.

How Do I Make The Frosting Sweeter?

Add extra sugar gradually until it reaches your preferred sweetness.

Can I Make This Gluten-Free?

Yes, use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in place of the regular flour.

How Do I Prevent Overbaking?

Check the cake at 25 minutes—once a toothpick has a few moist crumbs, remove it from the oven.

Can I Make The Frosting Ahead Of Time?

Yes, store it in the fridge for up to 2 days; bring to room temperature and re-whip before using.

Can I Skip The Frosting?

Yes, dust with powdered sugar and serve with whipped cream or ice cream instead.

Conclusion

This easy fresh strawberry sheet cake is a celebration of summer flavors in a simple, no-fuss format. With its moist strawberry base and silky cream cheese frosting, it’s a crowd-pleaser that works for birthdays, afternoon tea, or any sweet craving.

Ezabella