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Are you in the mood to try some easy-to-make dessert with strawberry flavor? Strawberry Crunch cake is best to fulfill your cravings.

Do you remember the Good Humor strawberry shortcake ice cream bar? Inspired by it, today I am sharing a delicious strawberry crunch cake recipe to satisfy your sweet tooth.

This cake combines a boxed cake mix with a delightful blend of strawberry and vanilla flavor and is topped with a creamy crunchy layer of homemade whipped cream and golden cookies.

It is a perfect dessert for summer without any fancy ingredients. Without any delay, let’s start making this delicious strawberry crunch cake.

Ingredients Required for Strawberry Crunch Cake

Boxed cake mix: this mixture will simplify your baking. I am using strawberry and vanilla cake mix in this recipe, but if you want, you can make the cake batter from scratch with all-purpose flour, baking powder, and baking soda. The primary thing in this recipe is unique topping, so you can put less effort into making the cakes from scratch.

Powdered sugar white sugar is a sweetener commonly used in baking and cooking. The small sugar crystals are easily dissolvable and give perfect flavor to the cake.

Eggs: For binding agents and providing structure, eggs are essential. Here I want to clarify one thing if you want to keep the white mix to stay white, only use eggs white. Otherwise, using the whole egg will change the color of the cake to yellow.

Milk: Milk is a good choice as it contains fatty content, making the cake more flavorful with a fine texture. It will also help to keep the original color in the white cake layer.

Vegetable oil: It keeps the cake moist and tender. You can also use melted butter, which will make the cake oily. I am using vegetable oil in this recipe because it makes the cake’s texture perfect. You can also use other variations of the oil according to your choice.

Vanilla extract: It is for enhancing the overall taste. I am using it in the buttercream, which gives a mind-blowing smell and taste. I recommend using the original extract as it enhances the taste. If you don’t like vanilla, skip it.

Water: For hydration purposes, I use water in the cake mix according to the instructions in the box. It will help to make the thick emulsion of the cake batter.

Secondly, for making whipping cream, you need to add a small amount of water that helps to make the exact texture of the cream.

Frosting

Unsalted Butter: I am adding butter to frosting mixture because it is an excellent binding agent. You can use different variations such as, cream cheese frosting, or whipped cream. Here in this recipe, I am using buttercream.

Heavy cream: For whipped cream frosting, use heavy cream as it has fewer air pockets that are good for the cake texture.

Topping

Freeze-dried strawberries are the main ingredient because we are making a Strawberry Crunch Cake. For delicious flavor and crunchy topping, I am using freeze-dried strawberries. It will add perfect flavor and color to the crumb topping.

Golden Oreos: These Oreos are essential for making a fantastic mixture of crunchy toppings. It is mixed with dried strawberries and gives a perfect color of strawberry.

How to make Strawberry Crunch Cake?

Preheat the oven to 350 F
Take 4 pans for the cakes and grease them well with oil and dust it with flour. Cover them with parchment paper.
As per the given instructions on the package, prepare the cake batter. Combine the cake mix, vegetable oil, water, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix it with an electric mixer on medium speed until batter become smooth.
Pour the batter into separately in each pan evenly.
Place the cake in preheated oven for 20 to 22 minutes. Go ahead and stick that toothpick right in the middle of the cake. A clear toothpick means your cake is baked perfectly.
After 20 minutes, remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool.

Butter Cream

Take a mixing bowl and add butter to it. Mix it well with the electric or hand mixer. Add granulated sugar and vanilla extract and remix it at a slow speed. Add heavy cream to this batter and mix until it is smooth. Lastly, add the remaining cream, sugar, and little hot water and mix until you get the perfect consistency of the cream.

Topping

For crunch topping, crush golden Oreos and freeze-dried strawberries in a food mixer. Add melted butter and mix until the ingredients are well combined. (You can also check Chocolate Pie recipe if you are a chocolate lover)

Cake Assembly

To assemble the cake, place the white cake layer on the plate.
Place the buttercream and spread it evenly. Repeat the process with strawberry cake, white cake, and again strawberry cake.
After assembling all layers, cover the whole cake with buttercream and sprinkle the extensive layer of crunchy topping. You need to hurry at this step because you must cover the cake with crunch before cooling the frosting.
With the help of pipping bag, make rosettes evenly on the top and place fresh strawberries on it. (For Banana lovers Paula Deen Banana Pudding recipe is best)
Put the cake in the fridge for at least half an hour before serving.
Cut in the even slices and serve the delicious strawberry crunch cake!
Enjoy!

Additional Tips & Tricks

The ingredients should be at room temperature before you start baking. The ingredients will be easier to mix, and the baking will be more uniform.
If fresh strawberries are available, substitute them for the freeze-dried variety. Fresh strawberries can be used as a topping for the cake or included in the mixture by being chopped into small pieces.
Be sure to oil and flour the pans thoroughly so that the cake layers can be removed easily. Parchment paper can line the bottom of the pans for added safety.
Spread the strawberry filling over the cake layers using a big offset spatula when constructing the dessert. It will help keep the contents contained within the pastry shell.

Storage Tips for Strawberry Crunch Cake

Save any remaining crumb topping in an airtight container, away from the cake.
The cake may be stored in the fridge for up to four or five days. After that time, it may become dry and tasteless.
Eat the cake within 24 to 48 hours of assembly for maximum freshness if you use whipped cream or fresh strawberries.

FAQs

Can I use canned frosting?

Using frosting from a can is OK. Remember that store-bought frosting has a higher sugar content and less taste than homemade frosting. The texture could also be different and not stand up as well to embellishment or piping.

If you must use store-bought icing, go for a vanilla or cream cheese flavor that goes well with strawberry crunch cake. More taste and texture can be added by topping the frosting with fresh whipped cream or sliced strawberries.