Strawberries and Rosé Sheet Cake

Introduction & Inspiration

I’m always on the lookout for elegant yet approachable dessert recipes, and this Strawberries and Rosé Sheet Cake immediately caught my attention! The combination of a light and fluffy cake infused with rosé wine, a simple strawberry-rosé glaze, and fresh sliced strawberries seemed like the perfect dessert for a spring or summer celebration, a bridal shower, or simply a delightful treat to enjoy with friends.

My inspiration came from a love of both rosé wine and strawberries, and a desire to create a cake that was both visually appealing and relatively easy to make. I envisioned a cake that would be moist and flavorful, with a delicate pink hue and a subtle hint of rosé, complemented by the sweetness of strawberries. Sheet cakes are always less formal than layer cakes.

My goal was to find a recipe that would highlight the unique flavors of rosé and strawberries in a simple yet elegant way, creating a cake that would be perfect for any occasion. This Strawberries and Rosé Sheet Cake seemed to fit the bill perfectly: a straightforward sheet cake recipe, a simple glaze, and the fresh, vibrant flavors of rosé and strawberries.

This cake is perfect for an outdoor party.

Nostalgic Appeal

While rosé wine might seem like a modern trend, sheet cakes themselves hold a strong nostalgic appeal. They’re often associated with potlucks, family gatherings, and casual celebrations, evoking memories of simple, home-style desserts.

The use of strawberries adds another layer of familiarity and nostalgia, connecting the cake to classic strawberry desserts like strawberry shortcake, strawberry pie, and strawberry jam.

The simplicity of the recipe, with its straightforward mixing method and one-pan baking, is reminiscent of classic, easy-to-make cakes that have been enjoyed for generations.

And the overall presentation of the cake, with its even layer of glaze and fresh strawberry topping, evokes a sense of homemade goodness and classic dessert traditions.

Homemade Focus

This Strawberries and Rosé Sheet Cake is a perfect example of the joys of homemade baking, emphasizing the fresh flavors and simple techniques that make home-baked goods so special. You’re taking basic ingredients – eggs, sugar, vanilla, oil, flour, baking powder, salt, and rosé wine – and transforming them into a delicious and elegant cake.

I appreciate recipes that prioritize homemade elements and allow for hands-on involvement, and this one certainly does. You’re whisking together the batter, making a simple glaze from scratch, and topping the cake with fresh, sliced strawberries.

The use of cake flour in the batter contributes to the cake’s light and tender crumb, creating a delicate texture that’s perfect for showcasing the flavors of rosé and strawberries.

And the homemade strawberry-rosé glaze, made with strawberry jam, rosé wine, powdered sugar, and melted butter, adds a touch of elegance and enhances the overall flavor profile of the cake.

Flavor Goal

The primary flavor goal of this Strawberries and Rosé Sheet Cake is a delicate balance of sweet and fruity flavors, with a subtle hint of rosé wine and the fresh, vibrant taste of strawberries. It’s a cake that’s designed to be both light and refreshing, perfect for a warm-weather celebration.

The cake itself, made with eggs, sugar, vanilla, oil, cake flour, baking powder, salt, and rosé wine, provides a light, fluffy, and subtly sweet base with a hint of rosé flavor.

The strawberry-rosé glaze, made with strawberry jam, rosé wine, powdered sugar, and melted butter, adds a layer of sweetness and enhances the strawberry and rosé flavors.

The fresh, sliced strawberries on top provide a burst of juicy sweetness and a beautiful visual appeal.

The overall effect is a cake that’s both elegant and approachable, with a delicate balance of flavors that’s perfect for any occasion.

Ingredient Insights

Let’s delve into the ingredient list. Avoid specific measurements in this section, focusing on why each ingredient is included.

For the Rosé Sheet Cake:

Non-stick baking spray (with flour): This ensures that the cake releases easily from the pan.

Large eggs:

Granulated sugar:

Vanilla extract:

Vegetable oil:

Cake flour: This is key for a light and tender crumb. Cake flour has a lower protein content than all-purpose flour, resulting in a more delicate texture.

Baking powder:

Kosher salt:

Sparkling or still rosé wine: This adds a subtle fruity and floral note to the cake, and its acidity contributes to the cake’s tenderness.

Sliced strawberries, for serving:

For the Strawberry-Rosé Glaze:

Seedless strawberry jam:

Rosé wine:

Powdered sugar:

Melted butter:

These are all simple ingredients.

Essential Equipment

Here is what you will need:

A 12- x 18-inch half sheet pan: This is the standard size for a half sheet cake.

A large bowl: For mixing the batter.

A whisk (or a hand mixer):

A rubber spatula:

A microwave-safe bowl:

Measuring cups and spoons.

This is an easy list.

List of Ingredients with Measurements

Here’s the complete list of ingredients, with precise measurements:

For the Rosé Sheet Cake:

• Non-stick baking spray (with flour)
• 4 large eggs
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 3 cups cake flour
• 2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
• 1 cup sparkling or still rosé wine
• Sliced strawberries, for serving

For the Strawberry-Rosé Glaze:

• 1/4 cup seedless strawberry jam
• 1/4 cup rosé wine
• 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 Tbsp. melted butter

These amounts are perfect.

Gather everything before starting.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Let’s break down the process into easy-to-follow steps.

1. Prepare Pan and Preheat Oven: Prepare a 12- x 18-inch half sheet pan with non-stick baking spray (with flour). Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Whisk Wet Ingredients: Whisk the eggs, sugar, and vanilla in a large bowl for about 1 minute (you can use a whisk or a hand mixer).

3. Add Oil: Add the oil and whisk well to fully combine.

4. Alternate Dry and Wet Ingredients: Add 1 cup of flour and all of the baking powder and kosher salt to the egg mixture and whisk to combine. Add 1/2 cup of the rosé wine and whisk to combine completely. Add another 1 cup of flour, then the remaining 1/2 cup rosé wine, and the remaining 1 cup of flour; whisking well to combine between each addition. This alternating method helps to prevent overmixing the batter, which can result in a tough cake.

5. Final Whisk: Scrape the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula and whisk in any unincorporated bits.

6. Bake: Transfer the batter to the prepared sheet pan. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean, about 16 to 18 minutes.

7. Cool: Remove the cake from the oven and cool completely, about 1 hour.

8. Make Glaze: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the strawberry jam and rosé wine. Microwave on high for 15 seconds then whisk until smooth. Add in the powdered sugar and whisk until smooth. Whisk in the melted butter.

9. Glaze Cake: Pour the glaze over the cooled cake and spread to cover in a thin layer.

10. Serve: Serve with fresh, sliced strawberries.

These are easy steps.

Troubleshooting

Let’s address some potential problems and how to fix them:

Problem: My cake is too dry. Solution: Make sure you didn’t overbake it. Start checking for doneness a few minutes before the recommended baking time. Also, make sure you used cake flour, which has a lower protein content and results in a more tender crumb.

Problem: My cake is too dense. Solution: Make sure you didn’t overmix the batter, especially after adding the flour. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough cake.

Problem: My glaze is too thick. Solution: Add a little more rosé wine, a teaspoon at a time, until it reaches the desired consistency.

Problem: My glaze is too thin. Solution: Add more powdered sugar, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches the desired consistency.

These tips are useful.

Tips and Variations

Here are some helpful tips. Tip: For the best flavor, use a good-quality rosé wine that you enjoy drinking.

Variation: Substitute other fruits, such as raspberries or peaches, for the strawberries.

Tip: If you don’t have cake flour, you can make a substitute by measuring out 1 cup of all-purpose flour, removing 2 tablespoons, and then adding 2 tablespoons of cornstarch. Whisk to combine.

Variation: Add a teaspoon of lemon zest or orange zest to the batter for extra citrus flavor.

Tip: For a more intense strawberry flavor, you can add a layer of sliced strawberries to the top of the cake before pouring on the glaze.

Variation: Instead of a glaze, you can frost the cake with a whipped cream frosting or a cream cheese frosting.

This recipe offers great opportunities.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

This Strawberries and Rosé Sheet Cake is a light and refreshing dessert that’s perfect for many occasions. Here are some serving and pairing ideas:

Serving: Serve the cake at room temperature or slightly chilled.

Pairing: * It’s perfect for spring and summer gatherings, bridal showers, birthdays, or any occasion that calls for a light and elegant dessert. * Serve it with a glass of rosé wine, sparkling wine, or a cup of tea. * Pair it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra-indulgent treat. * Enjoy on its own.

This cake is perfect to serve outdoors.

Nutritional Information

Nutritional information is approximate and will vary depending on the specific ingredients used and serving size. A serving (assuming the cake is cut into about 12-16 pieces) may contain:

• Calories: 300-400
• Fat: 15-20 grams
• Saturated Fat: 5-8 grams
• Cholesterol: 50-70 mg
• Sodium: 100-150 mg
• Total Carbs.: 40-50 grams
• Dietary Fiber: 1-2 grams
• Sugars: 25-35 grams
• Protein: 3-5 grams

This Strawberries and Rosé Sheet Cake is a dessert, and while it contains fruit, it should be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

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Recipe Summary and Q&A

Let’s finish up with a summary and some FAQs:

Recipe Summary:

Strawberries and Rosé Sheet Cake features a light and fluffy cake infused with rosé wine, topped with a simple strawberry-rosé glaze and fresh sliced strawberries. It’s a relatively easy-to-make sheet cake that’s perfect for spring and summer celebrations.

Q&A:

Q: Can I make this cake ahead of time? A: Yes! You can bake the cake a day in advance and store it, covered, at room temperature. Add the glaze and strawberries just before serving.

Q: How long will the cake keep? A: It will keep for up to 2-3 days, covered, at room temperature or in the refrigerator.

Q: Can I use a different type of wine? A: Yes, you could use a white wine or a sparkling white wine, but the flavor will be different.

Q: I don’t have a half sheet pan. What else can I use? A: You could use two 9×13-inch pans, but you’ll need to adjust the baking time.

Q: Can I freeze it? A: Yes.