Perfect Vanilla Chocolate Strawberry Sheet Cake Recipe
This Perfect Vanilla Chocolate Strawberry Sheet Cake combines a moist white cake base with swirled layers of rich chocolate and vibrant strawberry flavors. Finished with a smooth, creamy frosting in vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry hues, this cake offers a stunning marbled design and a luscious taste perfect for any celebration or casual gathering.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cake:
- 1 package white cake mix (e.g., Betty Crocker Super Moist)
- 2 tbsp seedless strawberry jam
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- Whole eggs as specified on package (usually 3 large eggs)
- Water as specified on package (usually 1 cup)
- 1/4 tsp red gel food coloring (high quality, e.g., Wilton)
- Vegetable oil as specified on package (usually 1/2 cup)
For the Frosting:
- 1 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup softened unsalted butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 to 3 tbsp whole milk
- 1 tsp seedless strawberry jam
- Red gel food coloring as needed
Instructions
- Prepare the Cake Batter: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and spray a 13×9-inch pan with cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, water, oil, and eggs. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for about 2 minutes, scraping the bowl occasionally to ensure ingredients are fully blended.
- Create Swirled Batter Colors: Divide the batter into three portions. Place 1 1/4 cups into a small bowl and mix in 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder to make chocolate batter. Put another 1 1/4 cups of batter into a separate bowl and stir in 2 tablespoons of strawberry jam plus 1/4 teaspoon red gel food coloring until evenly colored.
- Layer and Swirl the Batter: Pour the remaining plain batter into the prepared pan’s bottom. Drop spoonfuls of the chocolate and strawberry batters randomly over the plain batter. Using a table knife, gently swirl the batters together to create a marbled effect.
- Bake and Cool the Cake: Bake the cake in the oven for 28 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and allow the cake to cool completely (about 1 hour) to prevent the frosting from melting.
- Make the Frosting: In a large bowl, beat softened butter with an electric mixer on medium-high until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar on low speed until smooth. Add 2 tablespoons of milk and vanilla extract, continuing to beat. Adjust the consistency by adding more milk, one teaspoon at a time, if needed.
- Color and Apply the Frosting: Set aside 1/4 cup of vanilla frosting in a small bowl. Mix in 1 teaspoon of strawberry jam and red food coloring until desired color is achieved. In another small bowl, blend 3 tablespoons of vanilla frosting with 1 teaspoon cocoa powder to make chocolate frosting. Spread the remaining vanilla frosting evenly over the cooled cake. Drop spoonfuls of strawberry and chocolate frosting randomly on top, then swirl gently with a spatula for a decorative finish.
- Serve and Store the Cake: Serve the cake immediately or store leftovers loosely covered at room temperature to maintain freshness. Enjoy your delicious and beautifully decorated vanilla chocolate strawberry sheet cake!
Notes
- Using high-quality gel food coloring will give the best vibrant colors without altering the batter texture.
- Make sure the cake is completely cooled before frosting to avoid melting.
- Adjust frosting thickness by adding milk gradually to get the perfect spreadability.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute butter and milk with plant-based alternatives.
- To enhance strawberry flavor, add a small amount of fresh pureed strawberries to the batter along with jam.
Keywords: vanilla cake, chocolate cake, strawberry cake, sheet cake, marbled cake, swirled cake, birthday cake, easy cake recipe, frosted cake
