Hi👋 I’m MARILYN, a 34-year-old from the United Kingdom. Cooking is my passion, and I love sharing delicious, easy-to-follow recipes. Join me on marilynrecipes.com to explore a world of culinary delights, from comforting classics to innovative creations. Let’s make cooking fun and enjoyable for everyone! Cooking is about more than just food it’s about sharing stories and making memories.

One of my favorite memories in the kitchen is baking with my grandmother during long summer afternoons. The kitchen would smell like butter, sugar, and fresh strawberries, and the warmth of the oven matched the warmth in our hearts. That’s where my love for strawberry shortcake started, and today, I want to share with you my Strawberry Shortcake Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese, a recipe that’s simple, comforting, and full of love. This cake is perfect for family gatherings, birthday celebrations, or even a cozy Sunday afternoon treat.

This recipe brings together everything I adore about baking: a soft, tender cake infused with vanilla, layers of sweet strawberries, and a luscious cream cheese frosting that melts in your mouth. I promise, every bite feels like a hug. If you’ve ever wondered how to make a strawberry dessert that’s easy yet spectacular, you’re in the right place. By the end of this article, you’ll have a full guide to making this dessert, step by step, along with tips and tricks to make it your own.

Why I Love Making This Recipe

I love making this Strawberry Shortcake Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese because it’s joyful from start to finish. The cake batter itself is quick to mix, so it’s perfect for busy days when you want to create something special without stress. The strawberries add a fresh, natural sweetness, and the cream cheese frosting brings that creamy, tangy balance that makes everyone go back for seconds.

What truly makes it magical is how it brings people together. I often bake this cake for family gatherings, and the moment I pull it out of the oven, the kids’ eyes light up. My friends always ask for the recipe because it’s impressive but not intimidating. This cake feels like a classic, yet it has a touch of whimsy and love in every layer.

Ingredients & Little Kitchen Secrets

Here’s what you’ll need for this strawberry shortcake sheet cake:

Cake Ingredients

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
2 ½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk
1 ½ cups fresh strawberries, diced

Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients

8 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
2 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of salt

Little Kitchen Secrets

Always use room-temperature eggs and butter. This ensures your cake is tender and airy.
Sift the powdered sugar to avoid lumps in the frosting.
Macerate your strawberries with a teaspoon of sugar for 15 minutes to intensify their flavor.

How I Make It, Step by Step

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×13-inch baking pan.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy using an electric mixer.
Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
Gradually add the dry ingredients, alternating with buttermilk, starting and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
Gently fold in diced strawberries. Be careful not to overmix to keep the cake light.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
Bake for 35–40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let it cool completely.

Cream Cheese Frosting

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition.
Add vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Beat until smooth and spreadable.

How I Serve It at Home

I love cutting this cake into generous squares and serving it on a pretty plate with extra fresh strawberries on top. Sometimes, I drizzle a little strawberry syrup over the frosting to make it extra decadent. It pairs perfectly with a cup of tea or a glass of cold milk.

For family gatherings, I like to set up a little dessert table with this cake front and center. The colorful strawberries on top always steal the show, and watching everyone’s reactions makes my heart full.

Storage, Reheating & Make-Ahead Tips

Storage: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezing: You can freeze unfrosted cake layers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
Frosting Ahead: Make the cream cheese frosting a day ahead and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before spreading.
Reheating: This cake is best served chilled or at room temperature. Avoid microwaving, as the frosting may separate.

100-Word Short Version

This Strawberry Shortcake Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese is my go-to dessert for family gatherings. Moist, tender cake layers combine with fresh diced strawberries and a rich, creamy cream cheese frosting. I always macerate the strawberries for added sweetness and flavor, and the frosting is whipped to perfection. Baking this cake brings back warm memories of my grandmother’s kitchen, and sharing it fills the room with smiles. Perfect for birthdays, tea time, or any special occasion, this sheet cake is simple, comforting, and irresistibly delicious. Serve with extra fresh strawberries for a stunning presentation.

Conclusion

Baking this Strawberry Shortcake Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese always fills my kitchen with warmth and joy. It’s more than a dessert; it’s a memory, a story, and a way to bring people together. Every bite carries the sweetness of summer strawberries, the richness of cream cheese frosting, and the love I pour into every recipe. I hope you enjoy making this cake as much as I do it’s simple, comforting, and guaranteed to put smiles on faces. Share it, savor it, and let it remind you that the best moments in life are often the ones we share around the table.

Ingredients

Instructions

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