This incredibly moist Strawberry Sheet Cake is a sweet celebration of fruity flavor that will brighten any table! With its delicate pink hue and luscious cream cheese frosting, this cake strikes the perfect balance between light and indulgent. Made with real strawberry jam in both the cake and frosting, it delivers authentic berry flavor without any artificial ingredients. Ready in under an hour, it’s the perfect dessert for any occasion when you need something special but don’t want to spend all day in the kitchen.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Irresistible Strawberry Flavor: This cake delivers genuine strawberry flavor in every bite, thanks to the real jam used in both the cake and frosting.
Perfect Texture: The combination of butter and oil creates a cake that’s incredibly moist with a tender crumb that stays fresh for days.
Simple Preparation: No need for complicated techniques or special equipment—just mix, bake, and frost!
Crowd-Pleaser: The pretty pink color and familiar strawberry flavor appeal to both kids and adults, making it perfect for birthdays, potlucks, or family gatherings.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Butter: Creates a rich flavor base and helps the cake maintain its structure. Make sure it’s at room temperature for proper creaming.
Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a tender crumb when creamed with the butter.
Vegetable Oil: The secret to keeping this cake moist for days. Unlike all-butter cakes that can dry out quickly, oil maintains moisture much longer.
Strawberry Jam: The star ingredient that brings authentic strawberry flavor to both cake and frosting without needing fresh berries. Look for a good quality seedless variety for the best taste and texture.
Eggs: Add structure, moisture, and richness to the cake.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances the berry flavor and adds depth.
Baking Powder & Baking Soda: These leavening agents work together to give the cake its perfect rise.
Flour: Provides structure to the cake. Don’t overmix after adding flour to avoid a tough texture.
Buttermilk: The acidity works with the leavening agents for a tender crumb and adds a subtle tangy note that balances the sweetness.
Cream Cheese: Creates a tangy, rich frosting that pairs perfectly with the strawberry flavor.
Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the frosting while keeping it smooth and spreadable.
Food Coloring: Completely optional! The jam will give a natural pink tint, but a few drops of color can enhance the visual appeal if desired.

Variations

Strawberry Lemonade Cake

Add 1 tablespoon of lemon zest to the batter and 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice to the frosting for a bright, tangy twist.

Triple Berry Version

Substitute half the strawberry jam with raspberry or blackberry preserves for a more complex berry flavor profile.

Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Cake

Add 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips to the batter and drizzle the frosted cake with melted chocolate.

Strawberry Shortcake Style

Skip the frosting and instead serve cake squares topped with freshly whipped cream and macerated strawberries.

How to Make Strawberry Sheet Cake

Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients and Pan

Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a 9×13 baking dish with baking spray or line with parchment paper and spray. Make sure butter, eggs, and cream cheese are at room temperature for best results.

Step 2: Create the Cake Base

In your stand mixer, cream together the butter and sugar for 2 minutes until light and fluffy. Add vegetable oil and mix until creamy, then incorporate the strawberry jam. This layering of fats and flavor creates the perfect texture and taste foundation.

Step 3: Add Remaining Wet Ingredients

Beat in the eggs, vanilla, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until smooth. The mixture might look slightly curdled at this point, but don’t worry – that’s normal!

Step 4: Finish the Batter

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

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

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

Step 6: Prepare the Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

Beat room temperature butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add strawberry jam and mix thoroughly, then gradually incorporate powdered sugar until you achieve a creamy, spreadable consistency.

Step 7: Finish and Garnish

Spread the frosting over your cooled cake in an even layer. For a picture-perfect presentation, top with fresh strawberry slices or sprinkles just before serving.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Room Temperature Ingredients: This isn’t just a suggestion—room temperature butter, eggs, and cream cheese blend more efficiently and create a better texture.
Don’t Overmix: Once you add the flour, mix just until combined. Overmixing develops gluten and results in a tougher cake.
Parchment Paper: Using parchment paper in your pan makes removing and serving the cake much easier.
Cooling Completely: Be patient and let the cake cool fully before frosting. Even slight warmth will cause the cream cheese frosting to melt.
Quality Jam: Since strawberry jam is the primary flavoring, use the best quality you can find. The better the jam, the better your cake will taste.
Frosting Consistency: If your frosting seems too thick, add a teaspoon of milk. If it’s too thin, add more powdered sugar, a tablespoon at a time.

How to Serve

This versatile Strawberry Sheet Cake works beautifully for so many occasions:

Perfect Pairings

Serve slices with vanilla ice cream, additional fresh strawberries, or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra-special dessert.

Beverage Companions

Pairs wonderfully with coffee, tea, or a glass of cold milk. For adults, a dessert wine like Moscato or a sparkling rosé complements the strawberry flavor beautifully.

Occasion Ideas

This cake is perfect for spring and summer gatherings, Valentine’s Day, baby showers (especially for a girl!), or anytime you need a cheerful, crowd-pleasing dessert.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The cream cheese frosting requires refrigeration, but the oil in the cake helps it stay moist even when chilled.

Freezing

This cake freezes beautifully! You can freeze unfrosted cake for up to 3 months—wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before frosting. You can also freeze frosted cake slices by placing them on a baking sheet until solid, then wrapping individually.

Reheating

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

FAQs

Can I use fresh strawberries in this cake instead of jam?
Fresh strawberries aren’t recommended for the cake batter as they add too much moisture and don’t distribute evenly. However, you can certainly add diced fresh strawberries between the cake and frosting layers, or as a garnish on top. The jam provides consistent flavor and texture throughout the cake.

Why did my cake sink in the middle?
A sunken middle usually indicates the cake is underbaked or the oven door was opened during the crucial rising period. Make sure your oven is properly preheated and resist the urge to peek until at least 25 minutes into baking. Another cause could be expired leavening agents—check your baking powder and baking soda to ensure they’re fresh.

Can I make this cake without a stand mixer?
Absolutely! A hand mixer works perfectly fine for this recipe. You can even mix by hand with a whisk and some elbow grease, though creaming the butter and sugar will take more effort. The key is thorough mixing of the butter, sugar, and oil until light and fluffy.

How can I make this cake for a layer cake instead of a sheet cake?
This batter works beautifully in two 8-inch or 9-inch round pans. Reduce the baking time to about 25-30 minutes, testing with a toothpick for doneness. You’ll want to increase the frosting by half to have enough for filling and covering the sides of a layer cake.

Final Thoughts

This Strawberry Sheet Cake brings together the perfect balance of simplicity and indulgence. The moist, tender crumb infused with real strawberry flavor makes it a standout dessert that feels special without requiring pastry chef skills. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, hosting a summer barbecue, or simply craving something sweet and fruity, this cake delivers satisfaction in every slice. Give it a try—I’m convinced it might just become your new go-to recipe when you need a reliable crowd-pleaser!

Strawberry Sheet Cake Recipe