Vanilla Sheet Cake With Strawberry Glaze
Vanilla sheet cake with strawberry glaze is a light, fluffy dessert that combines a soft vanilla cake with a vibrant, sweet strawberry topping. The simple, yet delicious cake is topped with a smooth, tangy glaze made from fresh strawberries, offering a perfect balance of flavors for any celebration or gathering.
Equipment
- 9×13 inch baking dish (sheet pan)
- Electric mixer (optional but makes life easier)
- Mixing bowls (large and medium)
- Whisk and spatula
- Cooling rack (optional, but helpful for even cooling)
- Saucepan (for the glaze)
- Sifter or fine mesh strainer (for powdered sugar)
Ingredients
For The Cake
- 3 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups unsalted butter softened
- 2 ⅓ cups granulated sugar
- 5 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 3 large egg yolks
- 2 ½ cups 590 grams well-shaken buttermilk (whole or low-fat)
- 2 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
For Strawberry Glaze:
- 1 ½ cups fresh strawberries hulled and chopped
- 2 ¼ cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup 226 grams unsalted butter, cubed
- ½ cup 120 grams evaporated milk (or whole milk)
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice freshly squeezed is best
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
Preheat and prepare pan:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and line it with parchment paper for easy removal of the cake later.
Mix dry ingredients:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
Cream butter and sugar:
- In a separate large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy (about 3-5 minutes) using an electric mixer.
Add eggs and extracts:
- Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then beat in the almond extract, egg yolks, and vanilla extract until fully combined.
Alternate adding buttermilk and dry ingredients:
- With the mixer on low speed, gradually add half of the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, followed by half of the buttermilk. Mix until just combined. Then add the remaining dry ingredients and buttermilk, mixing gently until smooth.
Bake the cake:
- Pour the batter into your prepared baking pan and smooth the top. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool the cake:
- Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Make the strawberry glaze:
- While the cake cools, combine the chopped strawberries and powdered sugar in a blender or food processor and pulse until smooth.
Cook the glaze:
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the strawberry mixture, evaporated milk, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Stir well and bring to a simmer. Let it cook for 4-5 minutes until it thickens slightly.
Glaze the cake:
- Once the cake has cooled completely, pour the warm strawberry glaze over the top of the cake. Spread it evenly with a spatula. Let the glaze set for a few minutes before serving.
- Enjoy your delicious Vanilla Sheet Cake with Strawberry Glaze! It’s perfect for sharing with friends and family.