This homemade dessert is inspired by a classic strawberry shortcake. It features a fluffy vanilla cake topped with whipped cream frosting and lots of syrupy strawberries.
This easy sheet cake is a variation of our popular layered Strawberry Shortcake Cake. Many of you have asked if you can make that recipe into a sheet cake. The answer is yes, with just a few tweaks to the original recipe.
This cake is
- Beautiful
- Easy to prepare
- Perfect for spring and summer
- Inspired by a traditional strawberry shortcake
- Flavored with vanilla, a touch of almond extract, and lots of sweet strawberries
Recipe overview
Cake:
The base of this recipe is our favorite vanilla cake recipe. It bakes up moist and fluffy and it is flavored with vanilla and a touch of almond extract.
Frosting:
Strawberry shortcake has to have whipped cream (and not the kind in a can or “whipped topping” in a tub). This is the real deal – freshly whipped cream, lightly sweetened with powdered sugar, and flavored with a touch of vanilla. In order to keep the whipped cream firm this recipe uses cream cheese as well. This stabilizes the cream and helps it hold its shape.
Strawberries:
Combine fresh strawberries with strawberry jam. This makes the strawberries extra sweet and juicy. Right before serving scoop the syrupy strawberries on top of the frosting.
Recipe tips
You will need room temperature eggs and milk for the cake. To quickly bring eggs and milk to room temperature place the four eggs in a bowl of warm tap water for about 5 minutes. Microwave the milk to take the chill off, about 15 seconds.
Cool the cake completely before adding the frosting.
In order to get the whipped cream frosting to thicken your heavy cream needs to be really cold, straight from the refrigerator.
Wait to add the strawberries until right before serving.
FAQs
You can make the cake up to one day ahead. The frosting can be made several hours in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Wait to add the strawberries until just before serving.
This frosting does have a cream cheese flavor, almost like a cross between cream cheese frosting and whipped cream. If you’d prefer a different topping you can use vanilla buttercream, strawberry buttercream, or sweetened whipped cream.
Layer cake: Strawberry Shortcake Cake
Cupcakes: Strawberry Shortcake Cupcakes
I don’t recommend it. If you absolutely have to, thaw them and drain them before proceeding.
Greek yogurt is a good substitute. You can also try some of these: Sour Cream Substitutes.
Serving and storage
This cake is best served the day it is made. You can make the cake and frosting several hours ahead of time. Once frosted the cake should be stored in the refrigerator. Allow to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving. Add the strawberries just before serving.
BAKE SMARTER, NOT HARDER
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Recipe
Strawberry Shortcake Sheet Cake
Ingredients
Cake:
- 2½ cups all purpose flour*
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1¾ cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup vegetable or canola oil
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 large egg whites, room temperature
- 2½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- ⅔ cup sour cream
- ¾ cup milk , preferably whole or 2%, room temperature
Frosting:
- 6 ounces cream cheese , softened to cool room temp
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1½ cups chilled heavy whipping cream
Strawberry topping:
- 5 cups sliced fresh strawberries (just under 2 pounds), see note
- 2 tablespoons strawberry jam
Instructions
Cake:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder and salt until combined. Set aside.
- Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (preferred) or a hand mixer, beat sugar, oil, eggs, egg whites, and extracts until combined. Add the sour cream and beat until combined. Add half of the flour mixture, beating until just combined. While still beating, slowly add milk, then the remaining flour mixture. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. Be careful not to overmix it.
- Grease a 9×13 metal baking pan. Pour the batter into the pan and spread into an even lay. Tap/gently drop the pan on the countertop a couple times to remove any air bubbles.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If necessary, rotate the pan once during bake time to ensure even browning. Place the pan on a rack to cool completely.
Frosting:
- Place the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl. Using a stand mixer or hand mixer with the whisk attachment, beat the mixture on medium speed until smooth. While the mixer is still running, slowly pour the heavy cream down the side of the bowl. Stop and scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl periodically. Increase the speed to high and continue whipping until the cream can hold a stiff peak.
Assembly:
- Spread the frosting onto the cooled cake. If you are serving right away, stir the strawberries with jam and spoon over the top of the cake. If you are not serving right away, place the frosted cake in the refrigerator and wait to add the strawberries until right before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional Information is an estimate based on third-party calculations and may vary based on products used and serving sizes.
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment and rating below!
Ashley says
We love strawberry shortcake but I wanted to make something a little different. This was perfect and so good!
Jody says
If I could give 0 stars, I would, and frankly, I have trouble believing these other reviews are legit. I wound up with a big, heavy, greasy pancake. Yuk.
Allison says
Oh no! I’ve made this cake multiple times and never had that experience. Did you use 1/2 cup oil? If you accidentally used more than that I would see how the cake could be greasy. Also, did you use the right size pan?
Wendy Hocking says
I have 20 people to serve Can I make a double batch & use an extra large pan?
Allison says
Hi, Wendy. I would just make two separate cakes. I’m not sure what pan size would work for a double recipe.
Shadi says
Easy and delicious, this one is a keeper. I know I’m going to make it over and over again!
Rhonda says
The best strawberry shortcake ever!!
Allison says
I’m glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Kristin says
So good! Seriously such a light, fluffy and moist cake and the frosting is to die for! Loved every bite.
Allison says
I’m so glad! Thanks for taking the time to comment. 🙂
William H Stoneman says
Loved your cake but I must admit I used full fat buttermilk for the milk replacement.
Allison says
Great! Glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Dasha says
Can you use cake flour?
Allison says
I’ve only made the recipe as written, but I would assume so. Enjoy!
Barbara says
Huge hit.
I forgot the almond extract so used lemon juice instead. Delicious.
Genger White says
Wow, wow! I made everything just as stated in recipe!! It was phenomenal! This is definitely a family favorite! I love how it’s not overly sweet but decadent at the same time!! The creamy fluffy frosting with cream cheese was a perfect match to the cake and strawberries! Thank you for sharing!!
I wished I could share a picture of my creation!!
Allison says
I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed it. Thanks for stopping by!
Mm says
Can I make this in a jelly roll pan and cut it in thirds?
Allison says
I’m not sure of the exact dimensions of that pan. You can try using this guide: https://www.joyofbaking.com/PanSizes.html
Dawn Mitchell says
Strawberry and frosting was good. The cake was too heavy and dense, flavor and moisture was ok. Will not make again, but will use the frosting recipe again.
Alexis Dix says
I have a question about the recipe. Can I use mascarpone cheese instead of cream cheese?
Allison says
Yes, I address that in the notes section. Just be aware that it will be thinner – more like a thick whipped cream than a frosting.