Best Strawberry Sheet Cake
A delightful and moist strawberry sheet cake that's perfect for summer gatherings, potlucks, and special celebrations. It's easy to make and can be dressed up with various frostings.
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 2 cups all-purpose flour For a lighter crumb, substitute with cake flour.
- 1.5 cups granulated sugar Coconut sugar can be used for a deeper note.
- 0.5 cups unsalted butter, softened Can be substituted with melted coconut oil for a dairy-free option.
- 1 cup whole milk Almond or oat milk for a dairy-free version.
- 2 large eggs, room temperature Flax eggs can be used for vegan baking.
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 0.5 teaspoon baking soda
- 0.5 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, pureed Frozen and thawed strawberries can be used if fresh are not available.
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 lemon Optional, brightens the strawberry notes.
For the Frosting
- 0.5 cups unsalted butter, softened or dairy-free spread
- 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 0.33 cups pureed strawberries Add more for a pinker frosting.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- a pinch of salt
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9x13-inch sheet pan with parchment for easy removal.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and airy, about 2–3 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, beating until fully incorporated.
- Stir in the pureed strawberries, milk, vanilla, and lemon zest until well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Do not overmix.
- Pour the batter into the prepared sheet pan and smooth the top.
Baking
- Bake for 20–25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean and the edges pull slightly away from the pan.
- Let the cake cool completely before frosting.
Frosting
- While cooling, prepare the frosting by beating the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar and pureed strawberries, mixing until smooth. Add a splash of milk if needed.
- Spread frosting over the cooled cake. Decorate with fresh strawberries or a dusting of lemon zest if desired.
Notes
For a richer frosting, add cream cheese. For a healthier option, use Greek yogurt and reduce sugar by 25%.