Vanilla Sheet Cake with White Chocolate Frosting and Strawberries

This Vanilla sheet cake with white chocolate frosting and fresh strawberries is made with a simple buttery, vanilla flavoured sponge. It is so easy to adapt using seasonal fruits and slices into 12 good portions. 

A tea time treat for everyone during the summer months and Autumnal days or whenever fresh fruits are available. 

Originally published in June 2019, I have updated the post with new images and text. I love strawberry season. I'm eagerly waiting for the strawberries in my garden to ripen. I'm checking them daily hoping that the garden creatures have left enough for me to eat.

In late spring I'm doing my best to increase the number of strawberry plants I have in my garden. There's nothing quite like the taste of a warm, freshly picked strawberry, and depending on which varieties you plant, you can have fresh berries fruiting all through the summer months. 

Alternative toppings for a Vanilla Sheet Cake Recipe 

• If you're not a fan of white chocolate, you could choose a different topping such as this easy chocolate glaze that hardens and doesn’t crack when sliced. You'll need to add your choice of fruit before the chocolate hardens. Strawberries and dark chocolate would be very decadent. TIP: Coat any leftover strawberries with the remaining melted chocolate. 
• Raspberries or a mix and match of other summer fruits are a great alternative to strawberries. 
• Don't forget to use slices of late Autumn fruits such as Plums, Pears, and Apples. 

How to make a Vanilla Sheet Cake.

Step by Step instructions

Using an electric mixer, beat together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This will take only a couple of mins when using an electric beater. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as you go along.

Gradually add the eggs one at a time, the vanilla extract, and a little of the flour. Mix until well combined. Tip: Adding a little flour between each egg will help prevent curdling. Add the remaining flour. Mix together until well combined.

Pour the cake mixture evenly into the prepared tin. Bake for 20-25 mins or until baked and lightly golden in colour. Testing the centre of the cake with a skewer until it comes out clean.

Leave in the tin to cool. Tip: If you leave the cake in the tin to cool completely, it will help prevent any frosting from running over the sides when the time comes to add the frosting.

Make the White Chocolate Frosting while the Cake is Cooling.

Melt the chocolate, butter and cream in a heat proof bowl over a pan of simmering water. Take the bowl off the heat and let it cool a little. Add the icing sugar. Make sure you sieve the icing sugar to avoid adding lumps. Mix until you have a nice smooth, thick but runny consistency.

Tip: Transferring the melted mixture into a larger bowl will make it easier to mix in the icing sugar. Leave the mixture to one side to set to a thick spreading consistency.

When your cake has cooled completely, spread the white chocolate frosting evenly over your cake. Decorate with fresh Strawberries or whichever fruit you are using.

Make the Strawberry Glaze.

Gently soften the jam in a pan over a medium heat. Coat the strawberries using a pastry bush. Avoid getting the jam onto the frosting. Finish off with a scattering of white chocolate chips.

Additional info

Because of the fresh fruit, you are best keeping it in the fridge. It will keep for a couple of days. Bring back to room temperature before serving.

After a few hours, the juice from the fruit and the glaze may begin to seep onto the frosting, making it even more delicious.

I made this Vanilla Sheet Cake using a loose bottom oblong tart tin because it slices into lovely finger sized portions. Now, what are you waiting for? Have a great summer and a wonderful time baking.

More delicious sheet cake/traybake recipes to make:

Traybakes are some of the easiest things to make. As a single layered cake you can top the sponge with a variety of toppings such as this Easy Chocolate Glaze or make a Chocolate Tray Bake version with the same chocolate glaze.

Try some of these other different flavoured tray bakes. They are really very easy to make.

• Lemon Drizzle Traybake with Lemon zest and fresh lemon juice Lemon, Almond and Poppy Seed Squares
• Matcha Green Tea cake with a white chocolate frosting, topped with strawberries and Pistachio nuts
• Cappuccino Cake with a white chocolate frosting