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Strawberry Poptart Sheet Cake. Sweet, simple, and delicious, this vanilla strawberry cake will quickly become a favorite. Light and fluffy strawberry cake baked with real strawberry jam, just like a strawberry poptart. This light pink, berry-filled cake is generously frosted with a sweet vanilla frosting that mimics the classic Pop-Tart frosting we all used to love (but is actually so much better). This giant “Poptart” cake is bursting with freshness. Decorate as desired with sprinkles. Delicious and fun!

Strawberry Poptart Sheet Cake | halfbakedharvest.com

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With spring just days away, I’m excited to lean into more spring-focused recipes. For many of us, that means sweet strawberry cakes, cookies, and tarts to celebrate!

This last week at home in Colorado has felt pretty springlike during the day. The snow on the roads is melting, and we’ve had sunny bluebird days. But in true Colorado form, we’ve got a couple of springtime storms on the way. I know our winter is not quite over yet. But the longer days and small tease of spring are still exciting!

Once I had the idea for a simple strawberry sheet cake, I knew I wanted to make it. It’s so fun and light – a happy spring dessert!

Strawberry Poptart Sheet Cake | halfbakedharvest.com

Originally, I was thinking I would make more of a classic strawberry cake with a buttercream icing. But I thought back to these strawberry doughnuts. And then that giant strawberry pop tart I made, and I did a quick pivot.

I wanted my frosting to be more like a Pop-Tart than a cake. Something light that could be made easily and still taste delicious! I love a classic strawberry Poptart, but this cake is even better!

This would be great to make for Easter too!

Strawberry Poptart Sheet Cake | halfbakedharvest.com

Here are the details

Ingredients – for the cake

  • Freeze-dried strawberries
  • Salted butter
  • Real strawberry jam
  • Greek yogurt or sour cream
  • Eggs
  • Vanilla extract
  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking powder
  • Baking soda
  • Salt
  • Whole milk

Ingredients – for the frosting

  • Freeze-dried strawberries
  • Cream cheese
  • Powdered sugar
  • Vanilla extract
  • Whole milk

Special Tools

For this cake, it’s helpful to have a food processor to grind the dried strawberries into a powder. You can also buy strawberry powder from Amazon and skip the food processor. You’ll also need a couple of mixing bowls and a cake pan.

Strawberry Poptart Sheet Cake | halfbakedharvest.com

Step 1: turn the dried strawberries into powder

As with my strawberry cupcakes, I use strawberry jam and freeze-dried strawberries to create the perfect cake. The jam is very important. I think it adds a real strawberry flavor.

The first step is to blend the dried strawberries into a fine powder. You can do this in a food processor or a blender. You’ll use the strawberry powder for both the cake and the frosting. Of course, you can also just purchase strawberry powder.

Strawberry Poptart Sheet Cake | halfbakedharvest.com

Step 2: make the cake batter

To make the batter, mix the wet ingredients with the dry. Beat together melted butter, yogurt, eggs, and sugar to sweeten.

Mix in high-quality strawberry jam. Ideally, the jam should have real chunks of strawberries. Using jam gives the most concentrated delicious strawberry flavor and makes this cake taste even more like a jam-filled Poptart (or doughnut!).

Add in all the dry ingredients: flour, strawberry powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Then, beat in warm, whole milk.

Strawberry Poptart Sheet Cake | halfbakedharvest.com

Step 3: bake

Bake the cake for 30 minutes. When you pull it out, you should be able to smell the sweet strawberries.

Let the cake cool a bit.

Strawberry Poptart Sheet Cake | halfbakedharvest.com

Step 4: make the frosting

Mix cream cheese with sugar, more strawberry powder, and vanilla. Stream in hot milk to bring the frosting to a pourable consistency.

Strawberry Poptart Sheet Cake | halfbakedharvest.com

Step 5: frost and decorate

Pour the frosting over the cake. It should be ok if the cake is a little warm. Add sprinkles as desired.

I also used a few dried flowers for a nice spring touch!

Buttery, sweet, and honestly, this cake is going to put you in a happy mood because spring is almost here!

A wonderful cake to bake this weekend, over Easter, and throughout spring!

Strawberry Poptart Sheet Cake | halfbakedharvest.com

Looking for other spring strawberry recipes? Here are some of my favorites:

Homemade Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bars

Strawberry Bourbon Cobbler

Strawberry Chamomile Naked Cake

Lemon Strawberry Dutch Baby with Ricotta Cream

Coconut Sheet Cake

Lastly, if you make this Strawberry Poptart Sheet Cake, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And, of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!

Have you read my most recent Nine Favorite Things? If you’re looking for lifestyle and travel related content, or simply want to keep up with HBH on the go, Nine Favorite Things is your best resource for that. I also share a medley of recipes each week for your weekly meal plan. Thanks for following along!

Strawberry Poptart Sheet Cake

Strawberry Poptart Sheet Cake | halfbakedharvest.com
4.84 from 18 votes
18 cake squares
calories 469kcal
Prep30 minutes
Cook30 minutes
Total1 hour
Baked with real strawberry jam, just like a Poptart, and frosted with the classic sweet vanilla frosting, YUM!
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Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • 1. In a blender or food processor, process the freeze-dried strawberries into a fine powder. You need 1/2 cup powder for the cake.
    2. Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line a 9×13 inch baking dish with parchment paper.
    3. In a large bowl, beat together the melted butter, yogurt, eggs, sugar, strawberry jam, and vanilla. Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add about 1/2 cup of the strawberry powder (save the remainder for the frosting). Mix until just combined, then slowly beat in the milk until fully combined.
    4. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes until the top is just set and no longer wiggly in the center. Remove and let cool.
    5. To make the frosting: mix all ingredients in a bowl with 3-4 tablespoons of strawberry powder. Stream in additional hot milk until your desired consistency is reached, you may not use it all.
    6. Pour/spread the frosting over the cake. Decorate as desired. Let set. Slice into squares and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 469kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.

Strawberry Poptart Sheet Cake | halfbakedharvest.com

Meet Tieghan Gerard

I'm Tieghan, the recipes you'll find here are inspired by the people and places I love most. I try to live simply, eat seasonally, and cook with whole foods. My hope is to inspire a love for amazing food, as well as the courage to try something new!

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4.84 from 18 votes

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145 Comments

  1. Nicole Wenzel says:

    Can I make this into a layer cake? If so what would baking temp and time be?

    1. Tieghan Gerard says:

      Hi Nicole,
      So sorry, I would not recommend this as a layer cake. Please let me know if I can help in any other way!

  2. Jeanette says:

    Hi! Does this work with a gf all purpose flour also?

    1. Tieghan Gerard says:

      Hi Jeanette,
      Yes, that will also work nicely for you. I hope you love this recipe!

      Have a great weekend!

  3. Jenny Mohart says:

    Hi Tieghan,
    Do you prefer using greek yogurt or sour cream for this recipe? I’m not a big fan of either on their own, but I’m totally fine using them in cooking. Just wanted to see what you recommend. Thanks so much!

    1. Tieghan Gerard says:

      Hey Jenny,
      I love using greek yogurt, but both work well. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try!

  4. Kim Davidson says:

    5 stars
    Dumb question… How tall should this cake get? Does that make sense? I just made mine and it’s not very tall. It smells wonderful! I haven’t cut it yet.

    1. Tieghan Gerard says:

      Hi Kim,
      Not a double question at all! This cake is not very tall, I would say about 1-2 inches in thickness. I hope it’s delicious!

  5. Resa says:

    5 stars
    I am not much of a baker but this cake was easy enough. Well worth the time. I made it for my sweethearts birthday. Delicious 🩷

    1. Tieghan Gerard says:

      Hey Resa,
      Wonderful! I appreciate you making this recipe and your comment, so glad it was enjoyed!🍀

  6. Kristen Mauldin says:

    Hi! Excited to try this. I was wondering if you thought it could be made into cupcakes.

    Thank you!

  7. Unda says:

    Looks great, but question! What are the red spheres on top of the cake?

    1. Tieghan Gerard says:

      Thanks Unda! Those are sprinkles:) Please let me know if you have any other questions!

  8. Cortlyn says:

    Hi there! Would this recipe work for a bunt?

    1. Tieghan Gerard says:

      Hi Cortlyn,
      So sorry, I would not recommend making this as a bundt cake.

      Please let me know if I can help in any other way!

  9. elizabeth havelka says:

    Can I make this with 2 round cake pans instead of a sheet cake?

    1. Tieghan Gerard says:

      Hi Elizabeth,
      So sorry, I would not recommend that for this recipe, the icing is too soft for layering. Please let me know if I can help in any other way!

  10. Melinda says:

    I made this for an office party. Everyone enjoyed it. I think it tastes more like a jelly Krimpet (Philly area treat) than a poptart but still delicious!

    1. Tieghan Gerard says:

      Hey Melinda,
      Yay! Love to hear this recipe turned out nicely for you, thanks for giving it a go!🌼

  11. Jamie Carlson says:

    5 stars
    So good! Very easy to make and my family loved it!

    1. Tieghan Gerard says:

      Thanks so much, Jamie! Love to hear this was a hit with your family, I appreciate you making it! xT

  12. Lisa says:

    5 stars
    Insanely good! I made this for Easter and it was a big hit. It truly tastes just like the strawberry poptarts of my childhood. And, it’s gorgeous to boot. Thank you, Tieghan, for yet another amazing recipe!

    1. Tieghan Gerard says:

      Thanks so much, Lisa! Love to hear this cake was a winner, I appreciate you making it for Easter! xxT