Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare a large rimmed cookie sheet by spraying it with baking spray or greasing it and line it with parchment paper on top. This will hold the parchment paper in place.
Beat eggs with a mixer until thickened and light in color; about 6 minutes.
Add the cake mix package, oil, and water. Mix until combined.
Pour cake batter onto the cookie sheet and spread evenly.
Bake in oven 12-14 minutes or until the cake springs back when lightly touched.
Place a large sheet of parchment paper on the counter and dust with powdered sugar on top.
Flip baked cake over onto parchment paper.
Peel back and remove the parchment paper from the cake.
Carefully roll up the cake into a log. Cool on the countertop for 1 hour. Transfer to refrigerator.
Make the strawberry filling
Add strawberries and granulated sugar to blender. Process until smooth.
Pour puree through a fine mesh strainer; should have about ½ cup puree.
Add puree to saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Once it boils, turn the heat down to a simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes or until the puree thickens to about 3 tablespoons. Cool to room temperature.
Beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add in butter and beat until smooth. Gradually mix in powdered sugar, salt, and vanilla. Beat until light and fluffy. Beat in strawberry mixture.
Set aside 1 cup frosting for the top of the cake, if using instead of whipped cream.
Remove cake from refrigerator and gently unroll it. Evenly spread remaining frosting onto the cake and gently roll the cake back up. Transfer to refrigerator to cool and firm.
Frost the top of the cake with remaining frosting or whipped cream.
Garnish with diced strawberries – optional.
Cut into slices and serve.
NOTES
Don’t have the time to make fresh strawberry frosting? Here are several alternatives.
Classic buttercream frosting: Use a classic buttercream frosting recipe.
Cream cheese frosting: Skip the strawberry flavor and opt to make a classic cream cheese frosting. Use the same recipe. Skip the strawberries, and use less powdered sugar.
Replicating strawberry flavor and/or pink color: To achieve a delicious strawberry flavor, use a little strawberry extract in a basic frosting recipe. To tint the frosting pink, use couple drops of red food coloring
Use strawberry preserves in place of making your own: Use 1/4 cup strawberry preserves in place of making your own strawberry puree.
Buy frosting: Buy a can of strawberry frosting, or another kind like cream cheese frosting, or vanilla frosting. This is super handy when you need the cake for a same day event.
