Fresh Strawberry Sheet Cake Recipe

This post may include affiliate links. Thank you for your support.

Make your tastebuds sing with this phenomenal strawberry sheet cake recipe. Featuring a simple cake batter made from fresh strawberries – NO unnatural ingredients like jello or gelatin – topped with rich cream cheese frosting. It’s the perfectly moist and fluffy from scratch strawberry cake you’ll want to make over and over again!

Featured comment: This is such a beautiful cake I knew I had to try it. The step by step photos were very helpful!! Turned out really delicious – the perfect way to use up fresh strawberries! Thank you!” – Naomi

Continue to read on for expert tips and don’t miss the step-by-step photos showing you just how easy it is to make this cake recipe at home. If you’re looking for the perfect cake topping – check out this strawberry crunch topping – it’s beyond good!

Update: This recipe was originally published in June 2020. I made updates to the article below to include more information about a from scratch strawberry cake at home. 

Hi, friends! Say hello to the dessert (or breakfast, I don’t judge) of your dreams!! Also, get ready to toss out any boxed strawberry cake mix you have hanging out in your pantry! Because, this cream cheese strawberry cake without gelatin is undoubtedly the best dessert I have ever made. Honestly, I’ve dubbed this cake ‘strawberry nirvana’.

I am so excited to share this recipe with you! And, I’m absolutely positive after one bite you will fall in love!

About this easy strawberry cake

This cake is insanely moist, light and fluffy with an incredibly tender crumb and slightly creamy, buttery texture. It’s bursting with fresh strawberry flavor and slathered with a creamy, thick and rich cream cheese frosting. Honestly, it tastes like bliss.

While a lot of cake recipes rely on jello for flavor, this homemade fresh strawberry cake without gelatin is the real deal! It gets its vibrant pinkish-red color and pure strawberry flavor from juicy, fresh strawberries! No box mixes, gummy gelatins or weird additives required!

Why you’ll love this cake recipe!

The better question is – what’s not to love about this strawberry cake with cream cheese frosting?

• Easy to make! This single layer sheet pan cake is super easy to make – no layering and no fancy kitchen gear necessary.
• Easy to frost! While traditional strawberry layer cakes require an offset spatula and fancy skills, this from scratch strawberry sheet cake is foolproof to frost. Just dump your frosting into the center of the cake and spread it all over the top! However, if you like fancy frosting, that works too! The large surface of a sheet cake also lends itself nicely to elaborate piped frosting and edible decorations!
• Easy portion! Forget proper cake cutting etiquette. You can cut this strawberry cream cheese cake like you cut brownies.
• Party cake! This strawberry cake is perfectly portable and perfect for parties. The flat shape is easy to carry and transport to picnics, potlucks, barbecues, or outdoor parties! (Or to your bedroom, bathroom or closet if you want to eat cake and hide from your kids. Again, no judgement here!)
• Fresh strawberry flavor! Flavored with summer fresh berries, this strawberry cake with cream cheese frosting is bursting with bright, fresh strawberry flavor.
• No weird fillers! This strawberry cake recipe is make without any gelatin, jello, or artificial ingredients.

What is a strawberry cake?

A strawberry cake is a sweet baked dessert flavored with strawberries. Strawberry cakes are commonly made with flour, sugar, eggs, butter, and a leavening agent, such as baking powder or baking soda.

Cakes made from strawberries can feature one or more layers. But the strawberry flavor typically comes from either: fresh strawberries in the cake batter; sliced strawberries baked on to the cake; strawberry frosting or a strawberry glaze. While, using artificial strawberry flavored jello to flavor the cake is also common, this is a recipe for strawberry cake without gelatin.

Ingredients for strawberry sheet cake

This homemade strawberry cake recipe yields a confection that is fluffy, moist and bursting with sweet strawberry flavor!

• Strawberries: You can use fresh or frozen strawberries in this recipe. However, if strawberries are in season, I highly encourage you to use fresh strawberries for the best taste. If using frozen berries, make sure you completely thaw the strawberries prior to using.
• Flour: This recipe uses cake flour, which is finer, lighter and softer than all-purpose flour. It also has a lower protein content than all-purpose flour. Because of its lower protein content, cake flour produces less gluten. This results in a cake that is soft and tender with a light, fine crumb!
• Baking Powder + Baking Soda: Both are chemical leavening agents that help the cake batter rise when baked.
• Sugar: Granulated sugar adds sweetness, keeps the cake moist and helps build structure.
• Butter: Unsalted butter provides tons of flavor and gives the cake body and texture.
• Eggs: Large eggs give the cake structure, volume and stability as well as rich flavor.
• Yogurt: Greek yogurt delivers a slightly tangy flavor and provides creamy moisture.
• Lemon Juice: It’s best to use fresh lemon juice! The citrus juice helps brighten up all the flavors.
• Extracts + Salt: Kosher salt plus both vanilla and strawberry extract add flavor.

How to make strawberry cake from scratch?

While this scratch strawberry cake recipe without gelatin isn’t a one bowl type of situation, it is pretty straightforward and simple to prepare. Plus, this from scratch strawberry batter yields the creamiest, prettiest pink cake ever! Here’s how to make this strawberry cake and cream cheese frosting:

Make the fresh strawberry puree

The first steps are to process the strawberries and reduce the puree. I recommend doing these steps in advance! Not a fan of the strawberry? You can use any fresh fruit puree you like in this cake recipe!

1. Chop strawberries: Place the strawberries in the bowl of a food processor or blender. Pulse until strawberries resemble a chunky puree.
2. Reduce strawberries: Transfer puree into a medium saucepan. Place pan over medium-low heat and bring to a simmer. Simmer, stirring frequently, for 40 minutes, or until puree is reduced by half. Remove from heat and let cool completely.

Step-by-step photos: making a puree from strawberries

(Please scroll down for the detailed measurements and complete instructions in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page.)

Make the strawberry cake without gelatin (using strawberry puree)

Once you have reduced the strawberry puree, this homemade cake recipe is very straightforward!

1. Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the dry ingredients. Whisk until well combined. Set aside.
2. Combine sugar + butter: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment or a bowl with a handheld mixer, combine the sugar and butter. Beat on high speed until smooth and creamed, about 2 minutes.
3. Add wet ingredients: Add in the eggs and beat on medium speed until pale in color. Add in the yogurt, lemon juice and both extracts. Beat for 30 seconds, or until combined.
4. Add dry ingredients: With the mixer on low, add in the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
5. Add strawberries: Add the reduced strawberry puree (and food coloring if using). Fold until everything is just combined.
6. Bake: Transfer the batter to a baking dish. Bake in an oven preheated to 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean with a few moist crumbs. Remove cake from oven and place on a wire rack.
7. Cool: Allow to cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes. Remove the cake from the pan and place on wire rack to finish cooling.
8. Serve: Generously spread the frosting all over the cooled cake. Garnish as desired. Enjoy!

Step-by-step photos: making strawberry cake from scratch

(Please scroll down for the detailed measurements and complete instructions in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page.)

Make the cream cheese frosting for strawberry cake 

This whipped cream cheese frosting is so luscious and crazy delicious that you will want to eat it straight from the bowl with a spoon! I’ve also included instructions on how to make strawberry cream cheese frosting in the notes section of the recipe below. But feel free to use whatever frostings or icings you love, such as strawberry buttercream or chocolate frosting.

1. Combine ingredients: In the bowl a large stand mixer, combine the cream cheese, butter, vanilla and a pinch of kosher salt.
2. Beat together: Beat on medium speed for 1-2 minutes.
3. Add sugar: Add in the powdered sugar and continue to beat for 5-6 minutes or until frosting is light and creamy.
4. Thin if desired: Add milk to thin frosting if desired. Enjoy!

Step-by-step photos: whipping cream cream frosting

(Please scroll down for the detailed measurements and complete instructions in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page.)

FAQs: frequently asked questions

Why is there no gelatin in this strawberry cake recipe?

Gelatin is an animal by-product typically used as a thickening or gelling agent in baking. You’ll often find gelatin as an ingredient in strawberry cakes to provide structure and help the cake hold together. However, jello is sometimes strictly added to cakes to provide strawberry flavor.

However, I prefer an all natural cake without an artificial ingredients, if possible. That’s why this recipe for from scratch strawberry cake with cream cheese is 100% homemade without any gelatin or box mixes! Instead, this recipe uses natural ingredients and bakes the fresh strawberry flavor right INTO the cake.

Can I layer this to make a birthday strawberry cake?

If you have a special occasion and need an impressive layer cake to celebrate, you’re in luck! This strawberry cake stacks beautifully and you can easily transform a sheet cake into a stunning layer cake!

How to make a strawberry layer cake

• To make a small 2-layer cake: Bake one single sheet cake and cut it in half to create two layers. Use the frosting recipe as a “filling” in between the cakes and on top of the cake. Or, increase the frosting recipe by 1.5 and use it on both the inside and the entire outside of the layer cake. (You can double the frosting recipe if you prefer a thick layer of frosting.)
• To make a large 2-layer cake: Want to go big and bold? Double the cake recipe and make two full sheet cakes to stack together. Double the frosting recipe, or increase it by 2.5 if you like a thicker layer.

Pro-tip: Make sure you grease your baking pan with nonstick spray and line it with parchment paper! If you skip this step it will be difficult to remove the baked cake from the pan!

What filling can I use?

If you want to keep your layered sheet cake simple, you can use plain cream cheese frosting as the filling between the layers! Or, you can transform the plain frosting into a strawberry cream cheese by adding crushed dried strawberries! With that said, you can also get creative and super fancy with your strawberry layer cake!

Common fillings to use between the layers of cake

• Frosting: Use a different color and flavor of frosting for contrast. Don’t feel limited to just cream cheese frosting! Buttercream, Confectioners’ sugar icing or fluffy white frosting are also delicious on this strawberry cake from scratch. (Scroll down to read about frosting flavors that pair well with strawberry cake!)
• Fresh berries: Opt for thinly sliced fresh strawberries in between the cake layers.
• Jams: Fill between the cake layers with store-bought jams, jellies or preserves. Tip: If your jam is too thick, stir it briskly or heat it slightly to thin it. Also, consider straining jam to remove the seeds for a smoother consistency.
• Custards: Fruit curds and pastry creams are delicious sandwiched between cake layers! Or, you can fold a small amount of custard into the cream cheese frosting to flavor it!
• Whipped cream: Fluffy whipped cream is a simple and classic cake filling!
• Ganache: Chocolate and strawberries were made for each other! Rich ganache makes a luxurious filling for this cake!

What is a sheet cake pan?

Sheet cake pans are available in a wide variety of sizes, materials and styles. Sheet pans come in three sizes – full, half or quarter. However, there is no standard definition and the precise size of each can actually vary greatly.

• Full: A full sheet cake pan can range from 18x26x2-inches to 16x24x3-inches. It can yield anywhere from 117 to 64 servings.
• Half: A half sheet pan can range from 18x13x1-inches to 12x16x3-inches. It can yield 58 to 32 servings.
• Quarter: I use a 13x9x2-inch sheet cake pan, also known as a quarter sheet pan, for this homemade strawberry cake recipe.

How many people this cake feed?

This recipe fresh strawberry cake without gelatin is made in a traditional 13x9x2-inch pan, also known as a quarter sheet pan. The number of servings will depend on how large you want each piece of cake to be.

• 2×2-inch serving size: 30 servings
• 2×3-inch serving size: 20 servings

How to keep a cream cheese strawberry cake moist?

Making a perfectly soft, moist strawberry cake from scratch shouldn’t feel daunting! Here are a few simple tricks to keep your cake moist:

• Use enough sugar: While cutting the amount of sugar in a cake recipe can seem appealing, think again! Sugar contributes to creating a soft, moist cake!
• Use yogurt: Yogurt is a natural stabilizer that helps a cake retain moisture. This recipe uses ¾ cup of Greek yogurt to create a cake with great structure and a stable, tender crumb!
• Use the right pan: Lightweight and light-colored metal pans turn out the best cakes! Dark and heavy pans can cause your cake to dry up. Likewise, glass pans are a poor conductor of heat. So, while the outside of your cake may be done, the center will still be raw.
• Frost your cake: Once your cake is cooled, make sure you frost it. Covering the top of a cake with frosting helps keep it moist.
• Brush your cake with simple syrup: If you overmixed or overbaked your cake, have no fear! A cake soak can transform a dry, sad cake into a delicious, moist cake in a flash! To soak a cake, gently poke your cake with the tines of a fork. Generously brush the cake with simple syrup. Let the cake sit for at least 10 minutes to absorb the syrup before frosting.

Serving from scratch strawberry cake

How to serve strawberry cakes with cream cheese frosting?

This strawberry cream cheeses cake recipe can be served freshly baked, at room temperature, or chilled.

The cake can be sliced and served directly from the pan. Or, if you line the pan with parchment paper, you can easily lift the entire cake right out of the pan! Alternatively, you can invert the cake onto a wire rack to remove it. Just make sure you used a well-greased pan prior to baking!!

Pro-tip: If you plan to remove the cake from the pan, do not frost the cake until after you have removed it. This will ensure your frosting stays pretty! If you’re looking for a heat-resistant, creamy frosting, I recommend this cool whip frosting recipe – just 2 ingredients!

What to serve with cake with strawberries and cream cheese?

There are a variety of many different things you can serve with cake. Below are a few delicious ideas:

• Fresh Fruit: If you’re looking for a healthy and refreshing accompaniment to cake, try macerating fresh fruit. Top it with whipped yogurt for a next level fruit dish.
• Cake: One can never offer too many cakes! If you’re having a party, offer a variety of cakes, like these cute Cake Balls, Pumpkin Dump Cake, and Coffee Chocolate Cake. Or a Chocolate Lava Mug Cake for a friendly single-serving offering.
• Strawberries: Lean into a strawberry theme and serve your cake with all your favorite berry recipes, like strawberry salad with chicken, or french toast casserole with strawberries.
• Ice Cream: If you are looking to please a crowd, pair your fresh strawberries cake with your favorite ice cream flavors, like blueberry ice cream and pecan ice cream.
• Chocolate Sauce: Rich, decadent chocolate sauce is an excellent pairing if you like chocolate covered strawberries.
• Candied Nuts: If you’re looking for an easy crunchy side idea, candied walnuts are a great way to lend a little crunch.
• Golden Oreos: While not traditional, I love crushing up golden oreo’s and using them as a fun topping for this strawberries cake.

What frosting can I use on this cake with strawberries?

This vibrant pink, soft, and moist cream cheese strawberry cake without gelatin recipe is made with real strawberries and pairs well with a wide variety of frostings. Personally, I think the combination of sweet strawberries and rich whipped cream cheese frosting is a match made in heaven. However, you can frost this berry cake with any cake topping you and your family love.

Frosting flavors that go well with strawberries

• Cream Cheese Frosting: The cream cheese frosting shown here is light and fluffy with a hint of warming vanilla!
• Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting: You can easily add strawberry flavor to create strawberry cream cheese frosting! You will need to add freeze-dried strawberries and a splash of milk to the recipe below. I’ve included full instructions in the notes section of the recipe.
• Vanilla Buttercream: Not a fan of cream cheese? Classic buttercream is always a great option!
• Chocolate Buttercream: Love chocolate covered strawberries? This combination is for you!
• Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting: Coconut and strawberries are a stellar combination perfect for summer!
• Lemon Buttercream: Tart lemon frosting will enhance the fresh strawberry flavor!
• Plain Whipped Cream: If you want a more relaxed approach, fluffy whipped cream makes a wonderful cake topping!

Storing strawberry cake with cream cheese frosting 

How long can a strawberry cake with cream cheese sit out?

You can leave a cake with cream cheese frosting out on the counter for up to 8 hours, as long as your kitchen isn’t too hot (70 degrees or cooler) and the cake is out of direct sunlight. However, if you aren’t serving or eating this strawberry cake from scratch, your safest bet is to store your cake in the refrigerator. (See below for how to properly store or freeze cakes.)

How to store strawberry cake recipe without gelatin?

If you are not serving or eating your from scratch strawberry cake with cream cheese icing, you will want to refrigerate it.

To store cake in the refrigerator:

• Cool: Allow the cake to cool completely.
• Frost: Slather the top of the cake with frosting.
• Cover edges: Cover any exposed edges with wax paper to prevent them from drying out.
• Wrap: Place the cake in an airtight container or cover the cake well with plastic wrap.
• Store: Transfer cake to the refrigerator. Properly stored, cake will last up to 4 days.

Pro-tip: Just because you are refrigerating your cake, doesn’t mean you need to serve a hard, cold cake! Take the cake out of the refrigerator an hour or two before serving so the cake loses its chill and the frosting has time to come to room temperature.

Can I freeze this strawberry cake with whipped cream frosting? 

You can freeze both fully frosted and unfrosted strawberry cakes without gelatin. However, it is best to store both the cake and the frosting in separate airtight container.

Pro-tip: For portion control, slice the strawberry cake and store it in individual containers!

• Frosted cake: Wrap the cake well in a couple layers of plastic wrap. Place the wrapped cake in an airtight container or resealable freezer-safe bag. Store in the freezer for up to 2 months.
• Unfrosted cake: Wrap the cake well in plastic wrap. Transfer wrapped cake to an airtight container or resealable freezer-safe bag. Place frosting in an airtight container. Store both the cake and the frosting in the freezer for up to 2 months.

To use: Take your cake out of the freezer and allow it to thaw completely in the refrigerator overnight. When ready to eat, let the cake come to room temperature on the counter for 20-30 minutes.

To use frozen frosting: Allow frosting to thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Add a splash of milk and whip for a few minutes to make the frosting fluffy again.

You will absolutely fall in love with this recipe for strawberry cake with cream cheese frosting. Tender, fluffy, and bursting with fresh berry flavor, this from scratch cake tastes a billion times better than the stuff in a box mix! It’s truly phenomenal, and I pinkie-promise you won’t regret making this beautiful pink dessert.

Until next week, friends, cheers. To strawberry nirvana!

Cheyanne

Craving MORE? Follow all the deliciousness on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram!

More strawberry desserts!

• Strawberry Milkshake
• Strawberry Shortcake Sundae

The best fresh strawberry cake recipe without gelatin👇

©No Spoon Necessary.  All images and content are under copyright protection. Please do not use any images without prior permission. Do not publish this recipe without prior consent. If you want to reference this recipe, please do so by linking directly to this post.