Description

This Strawberry Filling for Sheet Cake is sweet, glossy, and bursting with real strawberry flavor. I cook fresh strawberries with sugar and lemon until juicy, then thicken it into a spreadable filling that layers beautifully inside a sheet cake or on top under whipped cream or buttercream. It’s simple, homemade, and tastes like summer in every bite—perfect for birthdays, potlucks, and anytime you want a fruity, bakery-style finish.

Ingredients

Scale

4 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and finely chopped
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 tablespoons cornstarch
3 tablespoons cold water
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Pinch of salt

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Instructions

Wash, hull, and finely chop the strawberries.
Add the strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice to a medium saucepan.
Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until the sugar dissolves and the strawberries release juices and begin to gently bubble (about 5–7 minutes).
In a small bowl, whisk the cornstarch and cold water until perfectly smooth.
While stirring the strawberries constantly, slowly pour in the cornstarch slurry.
Continue cooking and stirring until the filling turns glossy and thick enough to coat a spoon (about 3–5 minutes).
Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt.
Let the filling cool completely before spreading on or layering into a sheet cake. It will thicken more as it cools.

Notes

For the best flavor, use ripe fresh strawberries. If using frozen strawberries, thaw first and expect a slightly softer texture. Let the filling cool fully before adding to cake so it doesn’t melt frosting. Store airtight in the refrigerator up to 5 days; stir before using. Freeze up to 2 months, then thaw overnight in the fridge. If the filling thickens too much after chilling, let it sit at room temperature 10–15 minutes and stir, or warm very gently for a few seconds.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: B
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
Calories: 90
Sugar: 18g
Sodium: 5mg
Fat: 0g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 0g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 22g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg