Old-Fashioned Strawberry Sheet Cake with Homemade Frosting

Welcome to a slice of sweet nostalgia! This Old-Fashioned Strawberry Sheet Cake with Homemade Frosting is a heartwarming dessert that takes you back to simpler times — think summer picnics, church potlucks, and family reunions. 💕

Bursting with fresh strawberries and topped with a creamy homemade frosting, this cake is moist, tender, and irresistibly flavorful. It’s the perfect dessert to share with a crowd — no layers or fuss, just pure, old-fashioned deliciousness!

✨ Fun fact: This classic treat has been a staple in Southern kitchens for generations. Its charm lies in its simplicity — a recipe made with love and meant to be shared.

If you’re a fan of timeless desserts like our Southern Peach Cobbler, you’ll fall head over heels for this strawberry delight. So roll up your sleeves, grab your mixing bowl, and let’s bake up some sweet memories! 🍓💗

🍰 What Is an Old-Fashioned Strawberry Sheet Cake?

An Old-Fashioned Strawberry Sheet Cake is exactly what it sounds like — a tender, buttery cake baked in a large rectangular pan and filled with juicy strawberries. Unlike layered cakes, sheet cakes are easy to serve and perfect for potlucks or family dinners.

It’s simple, comforting, and oh-so-delicious — the kind of dessert that feels like a warm hug. 💕 Whether you frost it with luscious vanilla buttercream or garnish it with extra berries, it’s sure to win hearts at any table!

❤️ Why You’ll Love This Cake

✨ Fresh Strawberry Flavor – Each bite bursts with sweet, fruity goodness from real strawberries — no artificial flavoring here!

💰 Budget-Friendly & Crowd-Pleasing – One pan serves a crowd, making it ideal for gatherings or bake sales.

🧁 Homemade Frosting Magic – The creamy, fluffy buttercream adds the perfect finishing touch to this old-fashioned treat.

If you adore comforting desserts like Classic Vanilla Pound Cake, this sheet cake will become a new favorite in your recipe box!

🕒 Quick Overview

⏱ Prep Time: 20 minutes
🔥 Bake Time: 30 minutes
🍽 Servings: 12–15

🧂 Ingredients

For the Cake

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 4 large eggs

• 2 tsp baking powder

• ½ tsp salt

• 1 cup milk

• 2 cups fresh strawberries, chopped

For the Homemade Frosting

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 4 cups powdered sugar

• 2 tsp vanilla extract

• 1–2 tbsp milk (as needed for consistency)

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat Oven
   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 13×18-inch sheet pan.

2. Cream Butter & Sugar
   In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.

3. Add Wet Ingredients
   Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. Stir in vanilla extract.

4. Mix Dry Ingredients
   In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.

5. Combine Mixtures
   Gradually add dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with milk. Mix just until combined.

6. Fold in Strawberries
   Gently fold in chopped fresh strawberries.

7. Bake
   Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

8. Make the Frosting
   While the cake cools, beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing until smooth. Stir in vanilla and milk for desired consistency.

9. Frost & Decorate
   Once the cake is completely cooled, spread frosting evenly. Top with fresh strawberries if desired. 🍓

🍦 What to Serve With Strawberry Sheet Cake

This cake is delicious on its own, but for an extra treat, try serving it with:

• 🍨 A scoop of vanilla ice cream

• ☕ A warm cup of coffee or tea

• 🍋 A chilled glass of lemonade

Perfect for afternoon tea, brunch, or a summertime dessert table!

💡 Top Tips for the Best Strawberry Sheet Cake

✅ Room Temperature Butter – Soft butter gives your cake a fluffy, tender crumb.
✅ Use Fresh Strawberries – Frozen berries release extra moisture and can make the cake soggy.
✅ Don’t Overmix – Mix until just combined to keep the texture light.
✅ Customize It! – Try adding a handful of blueberries or swapping the frosting for cream cheese frosting.

🧊 Storage & Freezing

• Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for 4–5 days.

• Freeze: Wrap unfrosted cake tightly in plastic wrap + foil; freeze up to 3 months.

• Thaw & Frost: Thaw overnight in the fridge and frost before serving.

✨ Final Thoughts

This Old-Fashioned Strawberry Sheet Cake with Homemade Frosting is more than just dessert — it’s a taste of tradition, love, and comfort. Perfect for sharing, gifting, or savoring solo with a cup of tea. 🍓💛

So go ahead — bake this cake, make some memories, and let every bite bring you a little joy. 🥄💕

Old-Fashioned Strawberry Sheet Cake

A delightful and moist sheet cake bursting with fresh strawberries, topped with creamy homemade frosting—a nostalgic treat perfect for gatherings.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Course Dessert, Snack

Cuisine American, Southern

Servings 12 servings

Calories 300 kcal

Ingredients

  

For the Cake

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1.5 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened Room temperature for optimal creaming.
• 4 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup milk
• 2 cups fresh strawberries, chopped Fresh strawberries provide the best flavor.

For the Frosting

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1-2 tablespoons milk As needed to achieve desired frosting consistency.

Instructions

 

Preparation

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a sheet cake pan (approximately 13x18 inches).
• In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy.
• Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with milk. Mix until just combined. Fold in the fresh strawberries gently.

Baking

• Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for approximately 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Frosting Preparation

• While the cake cools, prepare the frosting. Beat the softened butter until creamy, then gradually add powdered sugar and mix until smooth. Stir in the vanilla extract and enough milk to reach desired consistency.

Frosting the Cake

• Once the cake has cooled, spread the frosting evenly over the top. Decorate with additional strawberries if desired!

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. Freeze wrapped in plastic and aluminum foil for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat slices in the microwave for a few seconds for a delightful warm dessert experience.

Keyword Classic Dessert, Easy Baking, Homemade Frosting, Sheet Cake, Strawberry Cake