Strawberry Jello Cake with Buttercream Frosting (Cake Mix Recipe)
Make an easy strawberry jello cake using white cake mix and strawberry buttercream frosting. This soft pink 9 x 13 sheet cake is simple, sliceable, and perfect for parties, potlucks, or spring desserts.
Servings: 15 servings
Calories: 433Kcal
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 1 Box White Cake Mix
- 3 oz Strawberry Jello RESERVE 1 tablespoon for the frosting
- 1 cup Water Boiling (for the jello)
- ½ cup Vegetable Oil
- 3 large Eggs room temperature
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract Optional
For the Frosting
- 1 cup Unsalted butter Softened. Salted works fine too!
- 3 cups Powdered Sugar if needed use up to 3 ½ cups
- 1 Tablespoon Strawberry Jello Powder That was reserved from cake ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon Hot Water
- 2 Tablespoons Milk Whole milk is better, but you can use any milk - even non-dairy
- ½ Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- pinch Salt omit if using salted butter
- Optional - garnish with strawberries cut in ½ or sliced.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F. Spray a 9 x 13 baking dish with nonstick spray.
- Remove 1 tablespoon of dry strawberry jello from the packet and set aside for the frosting.
- In a large mixing bowl combine white cake mix, remaining strawberry jello powder, water, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract.
- Beat with a mixer for about 2 minutes until smooth and evenly pink.
- Pour batter into the prepared baking dish and smooth the top.
- Bake for 28 to 33 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool completely in the pan before frosting.
Strawberry Buttercream
- In a small bowl stir 1 tablespoon strawberry jello powder into 2 tablespoons hot water until fully dissolved. Let cool until warm, not hot.
- Beat softened butter for about 2 minutes until creamy.
- Add powdered sugar gradually, 1 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Beat in dissolved jello mixture, vanilla extract, and salt. Beat for 1 to 2 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Add milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, until frosting is smooth and spreadable.
Notes
Starting with white cake mix creates a balanced strawberry flavor that is not overly sweet.
The strawberry buttercream will firm slightly as it sits. If needed, beat in a teaspoon of milk to soften.
This cake is different from a strawberry poke cake because the strawberry flavor is baked into the cake instead of poured over it.
Nutrition (estimate)
Serving: 1g | Calories: 433Kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 70mg | Sodium: 283mg | Potassium: 43mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 43g | Vitamin A: 435IU | Calcium: 88mg | Iron: 1mg