This is the perfect cake to take for a large party or gathering because it feeds a lot of people! This raspberry shortcake sheet cake features a soft white cake that has been topped with a whipped cream cheese layer and then finished off with a raspberry topping.
Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a large 13x18x1 inch baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray and set aside
White Cake
Prepare the white cake mix. In a large bowl whisk the sour cream, buttermilk, vanilla, egg whites, and vegetable oil. Sift in the cake mix and stir until just combined. Pour the batter into the prepared baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes. A toothpick inserted in the center of the cake should come out clean. Remove from the oven and cool completely.
Raspberry Sauce
Make the raspberry sauce: In a small saucepan whisk the danish dessert with the cold water. Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil, whisking constantly. Boil for 1 minute but no more, at this point the sauce should have thickened, remove from heat and stir in the frozen raspberries. Set aside to cool while you make the cream cheese layer. You can also place the saucepan in the fridge on a hot pad to help it cool down faster. Be careful, you just don’t want the sauce to sit in the fridge for too long because it can set up in the pan.
Whipped Cream Cheese Layer
Make the whipped frosting: In a medium bowl cream the cream cheese and butter with a hand mixer until smooth. There should be no lumps. Beat in the powdered sugar. Once combined, mix in the cool whip. Set aside.
Assemble
Dollop the whipped frosting evenly around the cooled cake then spread it into an even layer (I find it easiest to do with with an offset spatula). Once the glaze is cool (the glaze doesn’t need to be cold, just not hot otherwise it will melt the cream cheese layer) spread the sauce over the whipped frosting layer. Refrigerate the cake for 2-4 hours to let the glaze set up some. Remove from fridge, slice, and serve chilled.
Notes
Spreading the cream cheese layer: Since this layer can be thick, I find it easiest to put scoops of the mixture around the cake layer and gently spread those dollops — this way you aren't grabbing the top layer of cake as you spread.Raspberry topping: Don't let the topping chill too much in the fridge. If the topping is in the fridge for too long it will set and spreading will be very hard. The mixture doesn't have to be cold, it just shouldn't be hot or warm to the touch or else it will melt the cream cheese layer.Variations:
Use diced or sliced strawberries instead of raspberries.
Swap out the cream cheese for mascarpone.
Make a graham cracker crust layer on the bottom of the sheet pan and then pour the white cake batter on top. Adding a graham cracker layer would be so yummy!
Storing: Make ahead and store in the fridge overnight, or make day off and let chill for a few hours. The raspberry shortcake sheet cake will last in the fridge for 3-4 days.Nutritional information is a rough estimate and may not be 100% accurate.