Strawberry Sheet Cake
This Strawberry Sheet Cake is the ultimate crowd-pleasing dessert. By using a homemade strawberry reduction and freeze-dried strawberry powder, we achieve a vibrant pink color and explosive fruit flavor without any artificial dyes or box mixes.
Ingredients
2.5 cups strawberries (finely chopped into 1/4-inch pieces)
1.5 tbsp sugar
1 tsp lemon zest
1 pinch salt
3 cups King Arthur all-purpose flour
3 tbsp cornstarch
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
15 tbsp butter (room temperature, about 70°F)
2 cups sugar
2 tbsp avocado oil
2.5 tsp vanilla
4 eggs
1 cup milk
3/4 cup strawberry puree (reduced from fresh)
1.25 cups Kerrygold unsalted butter
1 cup freeze-dried strawberries (pulverized into a fine powder)
4.5 cups powdered sugar
3.5 tbsp cream
2 tsp vanilla
Instructions
1. Prepare the Reduction: Toss chopped strawberries with 1.5 tbsp sugar, lemon zest, and salt. Macerate for 10 minutes, then blend until smooth.
2. Simmer: Reduce the puree in a pot over low heat for 15-30 minutes until it measures exactly 3/4 cup. Let cool completely.
3. Dry Ingredients: Whisk flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
4. Cream Butter: Beat room-temp butter and 2 cups sugar for 3-4 minutes until pale and fluffy. Mix in avocado oil.
5. Emulsify: Add vanilla, then eggs one at a time, beating well after each.
6. Combine: Add half the dry ingredients, then the milk and cooled puree, then the remaining dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
7. Bake: Pour into a lined 9×13 pan. Bake at 350°F for 30-34 minutes. Cool completely.
8. Frosting: Beat Kerrygold butter, powdered sugar, cream, and vanilla for 3-5 minutes. Sift in the freeze-dried strawberry powder and beat until airy.
9. Finish: Spread frosting over the cooled cake and slice.
Notes
Ensure the strawberry reduction is completely cool before adding to the batter to avoid curdling the eggs.
Sift the freeze-dried strawberry powder to remove any tiny seeds for a silky smooth frosting.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Find it online: https://pinchofwarmthbakes.com/strawberry-sheet-cake/