Easy Strawberry Sheet Cake
Making strawberry cake from a mix allows you to combine the convenience of a box with sweet, fresh strawberries to make a soft, moist sheet cake.
This easy strawberry sheet cake is topped with a homemade strawberry cream cheese frosting for a creamy and flavorful finish.
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If you’re looking for a dessert that’s simple to put together but still tastes homemade, this strawberry sheet cake is a great place to start.
A boxed white cake mix keeps things easy, while fresh strawberries and strawberry Jell-O give the cake plenty of berry flavor and a soft, tender texture.
This recipe is a nice option for birthdays, baby showers, church potlucks, spring gatherings, or anytime you need a dessert that serves a group.
Since it’s baked in a sheet pan, it’s easy to transport and simple to slice for serving.
What makes this fresh strawberry cake stand out is the combination of fresh berry puree and pantry staples. You get the sweetness and color of ripe strawberries without having to make everything completely from scratch, making it a practical dessert that still feels a little special.
More Strawberry Dessert Recipes:
- Easy Strawberry Sandwich Cookies
- Strawberry Jello Sugar Cookies
- Strawberry Banana Bread
- Strawberry Pound Cake from a Mix
- Old-fashioned Strawberry Shortcake
Strawberry Cake Made with White Cake Mix and Fresh Strawberries
Adding fresh strawberries to the cake mix really makes this recipe special. Real berries add fresh flavor and keep the cake moist, and the strawberry Jell-O helps bring out the fruit flavor without making it overly sweet.
It’s also super easy to make ahead of time. You can bake the cake a day in advance, frost it before serving, and keep it refrigerated until you’re ready to enjoy it. It’s a helpful option when you’re planning for a party or family get-together.
The homemade strawberry cream cheese frosting brings everything together with a smooth texture and just a little tang from the cream cheese.
If you prefer, you can substitute a strawberry cake mix for the white cake mix, and any extra fresh strawberries make a pretty garnish on top.
For more easy desserts, check out my list of delicious cake mix recipes!
How to Make Strawberry Sheet Cake
It’s really easy to make this strawberry cake from a mix.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- White Cake Mix
- Eggs
- Vegetable Oil
- Fresh Strawberries
- Strawberry Jell-O
- Cream Cheese
- Unsalted Butter
- Powdered Sugar
How to Make It:
Find the full printable recipe available below
Prepare the cake mix. First, you’ll combine cake mix, eggs, and vegetable oil. Mix until combined (it will be thick at this point). Set aside.
Add strawberries. Then, you’ll make an easy strawberry puree. Measure out 2 tablespoons of the puree for use later in the frosting and set aside.
Take the remaining strawberry puree and strawberry Jell-O and add it to your cake batter.
Mix on low speed until incorporated, then scrape down the sides of the bowl. Increase speed to medium and mix for about two minutes.
Bake the cake. Then, you’ll pour the batter into the prepared cake pan, spreading it evenly.
Bake in preheated oven for about 27-32 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.
Remove from oven and let the cake cool completely.
Frost the cake. Then, you’ll prepare the frosting by using an electric mixer to beat together the cream cheese and butter until smooth.
Add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing well on low speed after each addition. The mixture will be pretty thick at this point.
Add the strawberry Jell-O and strawberry puree you reserved when preparing the cake. Mix on low speed until incorporated and the frosting is smooth.
Spread frosting over cooled cake, then slice and serve.
Notes and Adaptations:
- If you have extra strawberries left after making the puree, you can slice them and add them as garnish.
- You can use a strawberry cake mix instead of white cake mix, if desired.
- Leftover cake can be covered and refrigerated for up to 3-5 days.
Recommended Equipment:
- Stand mixer or electric hand mixer with mixing bowl
- 9×13″ baking pan (I like this aluminum one and this Pyrex one)
- Offset spatula
Easy Strawberry Sheet Cake
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 15.25 ounce white cake mix
- 3 eggs
- 3/4 cup vegetable oil
- 16 ounce fresh strawberries (you likely won't need the whole container)
- 3 ounce strawberry Jell-O (divided)
For the Frosting:
- 4 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoon strawberry Jell-O (reserved from the cake ingredients)
- 2 tablespoons strawberry puree (reserved from the cake ingredients)
Instructions
For the Cake:
- Preheat oven to 350F and grease a 9×13-inch cake pan. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine cake mix, eggs, and vegetable oil. Mix until combined (it will be thick at this point). Set aside.
- Add about 3/4 of your container of strawberries to a food processor or blender. Pulse until the mixture is mostly pureed. You don't want it to be a completely smooth liquid (some tiny pieces are good).
- Measure out the puree and see if you have a cup. If so, proceed with the instructions. If not, add more strawberries to the blender or food processor and repeat until you have enough puree. (I typically only need to use about 3/4 of the container of berries, but this can vary).
- Measure out 2 tablespoons of the berry puree for use in the frosting. Set this aside for later. Then measure 1 1/2 teaspoons of the strawberry Jell-O powder for use in the frosting. Set this aside for later as well.
- Take the remaining strawberry puree and strawberry Jell-O and add it to your cake batter. Mix on low speed until incorporated, then scrape down the sides of the bowl. Increase speed to medium and mix for about two minutes.
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan, spreading it evenly. Bake in preheated oven for about 27-32 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Remove from oven and let the cake cool completely.
For the Frosting:
- Once the cake is cooled, prepare the frosting by using an electric mixer to beat together the cream cheese and butter until smooth.
- Add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing well on low speed after each addition. The mixture will be pretty thick at this point.
- Add the strawberry Jell-O and strawberry puree you reserved when preparing the cake. Mix on low speed until incorporated and the frosting is smooth.
- Spread frosting over cooled cake, then slice and serve.
Notes
- If you have extra strawberries left after making the puree, you can slice them and add them as garnish.
- You can use a strawberry cake mix instead of white cake mix, if desired.
- Leftover cake can be covered and refrigerated for up to 3-5 days.
Nutrition
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