Strawberry-Infused Sheet Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Sweet Strawberry-Infused Sheet Cake Recipe With Dreamy Frosting

Strawberry magic weaves its delightful spell through this incredible sheet cake, promising pure dessert bliss.

Sweet berries mingle with soft, tender crumb in a symphony of flavors.

Layers of luscious cream cheese frosting create a dreamy landscape of indulgence.

Seasonal fruits shine brightest when baked into comforting treats like this masterpiece.

Your kitchen will soon radiate an irresistible aroma of freshness and warmth.

Crafting this delectable dessert feels like sending a love letter through every delicate slice.

Take a bite and let summer’s sweetness dance across your palate.

Strawberry-Infused Sheet Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting Love

  • Burst with Fruity Freshness: Packed with real strawberry puree, this cake delivers an authentic burst of natural fruit flavor that elevates the entire dessert experience.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, or casual celebrations, this sheet cake offers a delightful treat that appeals to both kids and adults with its classic, crowd-pleasing profile.
  • Stress-Free Preparation: Designed for home bakers of all skill levels, this recipe requires simple ingredients and straightforward mixing techniques, making it accessible and enjoyable to create without complex steps.
  • Customize with Ease: Adaptable for various occasions, you can dress up this cake with fresh strawberry garnishes or experiment with different frosting designs to match any event's style and mood.

Ingredients For Strawberry-Infused Sheet Cake

Cake Base Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: A fundamental dry ingredient that provides structure to the cake.
  • Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender cake texture.
  • Butter: Provides richness and contributes to the cake's smooth, moist crumb.
  • Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add moisture to the cake.
Leavening Agents:
  • Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Help the cake rise and create a light, fluffy texture.
  • Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the cake.
Moisture Ingredients:
  • Sour Cream: Adds moisture and creates a tender, soft cake texture.
  • Vanilla Extract: Provides a warm, classic flavor to the cake.
Strawberry Element:
  • Fresh Strawberries: Pureed to infuse natural fruity flavor and color into the cake.
Frosting Ingredients:
  • Cream Cheese: Creates a tangy, creamy base for the frosting.
  • Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting.
  • Butter: Adds richness and helps create a smooth frosting texture.
Frosting Enhancers:
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds depth of flavor to the cream cheese frosting.
  • Milk: Helps adjust the frosting consistency if needed.

How To Bake Strawberry-Infused Sheet Cake With Frosting

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to 350F (175C). Grab a 9×13-inch baking pan and give it a generous coating of grease and flour to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create the Cake Base

Ingredients for dry mix:
  • Flour
  • Baking powder
  • Baking soda
  • Salt
Ingredients for wet mix:
  • Softened butter
  • Granulated sugar
  • Eggs
  • Vanilla extract
  • Sour cream
  • Pureed strawberries

Whisk the dry ingredients in a medium bowl. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until they transform into a fluffy cloud. Add eggs one by one, mixing thoroughly after each. Splash in vanilla extract. Slowly incorporate the dry mixture and sour cream, alternating between the two. Gently fold in the strawberry puree until beautifully blended.

Step 3: Bake to Perfection

Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly. Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. The cake is ready when a toothpick comes out clean from the center.

Step 4: Cool Down

Let the cake rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 5: Whip Up the Frosting

Ingredients:
  • Softened cream cheese
  • Softened butter
  • Powdered sugar
  • Vanilla extract
  • Milk (optional)

Beat cream cheese and butter until silky smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract. Adjust consistency with a splash of milk if needed.

Step 6: Dress the Cake

Once the cake has cooled entirely, spread the cream cheese frosting in a luxurious layer. Sprinkle with fresh chopped strawberries for an extra touch of elegance.

Step 7: Serve and Delight

Slice into generous squares and savor every delicious bite!

Tips To Perfect Strawberry-Infused Sheet Cake

  • Pick Ripe Strawberries: Choose deep red, fragrant strawberries for maximum flavor and natural sweetness in the cake.
  • Prevent Strawberry Sinking: Toss pureed strawberries with a tablespoon of flour to help distribute evenly throughout the batter without settling at the bottom.
  • Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure butter, eggs, and cream cheese are at room temperature for smoother mixing and better cake texture.
  • Check Cake Doneness: Use the toothpick test to confirm baking completion, inserting it in the center and looking for clean or with minimal crumbs.
  • Frost When Completely Cool: Wait until the cake reaches room temperature to prevent frosting from melting and ensure a smooth, even layer.

Flavor Variations For Strawberry-Infused Sheet Cake

  • Gluten-Free Strawberry Cake: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, ensuring the cake remains moist and tender.
  • Vegan Berry Delight: Swap eggs with flax eggs, use vegan butter, coconut cream instead of sour cream, and dairy-free cream cheese for frosting.
  • Lemon-Strawberry Fusion: Add lemon zest to the batter and incorporate lemon juice into the cream cheese frosting for a citrusy kick.
  • Low-Sugar Option: Use stevia or monk fruit sweetener instead of granulated sugar, and reduce the amount of powdered sugar in the frosting.

Pairing Ideas For Strawberry-Infused Sheet Cake

  • Harmonize Strawberry Sweetness: Pair this luscious strawberry sheet cake with crisp, complementary flavors that enhance its fruity profile.
  • Brew Perfect Coffee Match: Select a light roast Colombian coffee with subtle citrus notes to balance the cake's rich cream cheese frosting and highlight the strawberry undertones.
  • Complementary Wine Selection: Choose a chilled rosé or sparkling moscato that mirrors the cake's sweet berry essence, creating a delightful dessert experience with refreshing, light acidity.
  • Elegant Serving Suggestion: Accompany the cake with a small scoop of vanilla bean gelato to add creamy contrast and elevate the dessert's texture and temperature complexity.

Storage Tips For Strawberry-Infused Sheet Cake

  • Store the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cover with plastic wrap or place in a sealed cake container to prevent drying out.
  • Wrap the unfrosted cake tightly in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before frosting.
  • Cut individual slices, wrap each separately in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30-45 minutes.
  • Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds, or in a preheated oven at 300F for 5-7 minutes to restore moisture and softness.

Strawberry-Infused Sheet Cake FAQ

  • Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh ones?

Yes, you can use frozen strawberries. Thaw and drain them completely before pureeing to prevent excess moisture in the cake batter.

  • How do I know if the cake is properly mixed?

Stop mixing when the ingredients are just combined. Overmixing can lead to a tough, dense cake texture.

  • What if my cream cheese frosting is too thick?

Add milk gradually, one teaspoon at a time, until you reach the desired spreading consistency. Mix thoroughly after each addition.

  • Is it necessary to use sour cream in this recipe?

Sour cream adds moisture and helps create a tender crumb. If unavailable, you can substitute with Greek yogurt for similar results.

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Strawberry-Infused Sheet Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Strawberry-Infused Sheet Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe


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4.7 from 35 reviews

  • Total Time: 55-60 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Luscious Strawberry Sheet Cake celebrates summer’s sweetest harvest with a delicate balance of fruity essence and creamy frosting. Delightful layers promise a perfect dessert experience you’ll savor with each delectable bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup pureed fresh strawberries

Leavening Agents:

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Flavor Enhancers:

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Prepare the oven environment at 350F (175C), carefully coating a 9×13-inch baking pan with grease and flour to ensure easy cake removal.
  2. Create a dry ingredient foundation by whisking flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium mixing vessel.
  3. In a separate large bowl, cream butter and sugar until achieving a light, airy texture with visible volume increase.
  4. Incorporate eggs individually, thoroughly blending after each addition to maintain smooth batter consistency.
  5. Introduce vanilla extract, stirring gently to distribute aromatic flavor throughout the mixture.
  6. Methodically integrate flour mixture and sour cream, alternating between the two and concluding with flour, mixing until ingredients are just combined.
  7. Gently fold pureed strawberries into the batter, ensuring even distribution without overmixing.
  8. Transfer batter to prepared pan, spreading evenly with a spatula to create uniform thickness.
  9. Bake in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, monitoring until a toothpick inserted centrally emerges clean.
  10. Allow cake to rest in pan for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.
  11. Craft cream cheese frosting by whipping cream cheese and butter until achieving a silky, smooth consistency.
  12. Gradually blend powdered sugar, beating thoroughly after each addition to prevent lumps.
  13. Enhance frosting with vanilla extract, adjusting texture with milk if necessary.
  14. Once cake reaches room temperature, generously spread frosting across the surface.
  15. Optional: Embellish with freshly chopped strawberries for visual appeal and added flavor.
  16. Slice into elegant squares and serve, celebrating the delightful strawberry-infused creation.

Notes

  • Swap frozen strawberries when fresh aren’t available, ensuring they’re thawed and well-drained to prevent excess moisture.
  • Use room temperature ingredients like eggs and sour cream for smoother, more consistent cake batter texture.
  • Fold strawberry puree gently to maintain cake’s light structure and prevent dense, heavy results.
  • Consider gluten-free flour blend for celiac-friendly version, which requires careful mixing to prevent graininess.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 264 kcal
  • Sugar: 21 g
  • Sodium: 152 mg
  • Fat: 13 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.3 g
  • Carbohydrates: 33 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 65 mg
Sarah Mitchell

Sarah Mitchell

Content Specialist & Home Cooking Enthusiast

Expertise

  • Making healthy, comforting meals that fit into real-life schedules
  • Planning balanced, single-serving meals for individuals and small families
  • Writing clear, practical food content with a focus on wellness and ease
  • Using seasonal ingredients to bring variety and freshness to everyday meals

Education

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College – Asheville, NC

  • Program: Diploma in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Trained in the basics of professional cooking, with a strong focus on home-style meals, seasonal recipe development, and time-saving kitchen techniques for everyday use.

American Fitness Professionals & Associates – Online

  • Program: Nutrition and Wellness Consultant Certification
  • Focus: Studied how to make healthy eating simple, enjoyable, and accessible

Sarah’s passion for food was sparked by weekend trips to the farmers’ market and her belief that healthy meals should never feel boring.
After earning her culinary diploma and becoming a certified Nutrition and Wellness Consultant, she set out to help others fall in love with simple, wholesome cooking.
She’s all about celebrating the small wins in the kitchen: a colorful yogurt bowl, a new twist on a classic dish, or a homemade snack that feels just a little extra special.
Outside the kitchen, Sarah is a gardener at heart, a yoga enthusiast, and a believer that fresh herbs can brighten any meal, and any day.

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