If you loved those nostalgic strawberry shortcake ice cream bars as a kid, you’re going to fall head over heels for this Strawberry Crunch Cake recipe. It’s a delightful fusion of moist strawberry cake, creamy vanilla frosting, and a crunchy topping that brings back sweet memories. Perfect for summer gatherings, birthdays, or just because, this cake is as fun to make as it is to eat.
My grandmother was a master at making amazing strawberry desserts. If you want more delicious strawberry desserts, try my cake truffles and my recipe for strawberry scones. You cant go wrong with either.
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Why this Strawberry Crunch Cake Recipe is a Keeper
You’ll love this strawberry crunch cake if you loved those strawberry crunch ice cream bars growing up. This cake is full of nostalgia and delicious crunchy strawberry topping.
- Nostalgic Flavors: Captures the essence of those Good Humor strawberry shortcake ice cream bars in cake form.
- Easy to Make: Utilizes a box cake mix with simple enhancements for a homemade touch.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Ideal for parties, potlucks, and family gatherings.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Can be prepared in advance, making entertaining a breeze.
Can I Use Fresh Strawberries Instead of Strawberry Gelatin?
While fresh strawberries add natural flavor, the gelatin provides that vibrant color and concentrated strawberry taste reminiscent of the classic ice cream bars. For a more natural approach, you can puree fresh strawberries and adjust the sweetness accordingly, but the iconic flavor may vary.
What Reader’s Are Saying…
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“Was a HUGE hit! Baked for my granddaughters 5th birthday. So delicious!”
~ Glenda
Strawberry Crunch Cake Ingredient Notes
All of the required ingredients are easy to find at the store, but some of the ingredients may be around the kitchen already.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Cake Mix: Use a boxed strawberry cake mix and vanilla mix as the base; choose a high-quality brand for best results.
- Strawberry Gelatin: Infuses the cake with a strawberry gelatin mixture for flavor and a pink hue.
- Golden Oreos: Crushed to create the crunchy topping; their vanilla flavor complements the strawberry.
- Freeze-Dried Strawberries: Dried strawberries provide intense strawberry flavor and color to the homemade strawberry crunch topping.
- Butter: Binds the topping ingredients together for a cohesive crunch.
Variations and Substitutions for Making Strawberry Cake
Feel free to use different ingredients to substitute or experiment with flavors.
- Cake Mix: Swap white cake mix with strawberry or vanilla for a different flavor profile.
- Cookies: Use vanilla wafers or shortbread cookies instead of Golden Oreos for the topping.
- Frosting: Replace vanilla frosting with cream cheese frosting for a tangier taste.
- Add-Ins: Fold in chopped fresh strawberries or mini white chocolate chips into the batter for added texture.
Special Equipment Needed for Strawberry Crunch Poke Cake
Sometimes a specific piece of equipment is needed to make a recipe just right. In this case, all that’s needed are pans, a food processor and mixing bowls.
- 9×13-inch Baking Pan: Try to make this recipe as a sheet cake, rather than in 3 round cake pans with parchment paper.
- Food Processor: Efficiently crushes cookies and freeze-dried strawberries for the strawberry crunch crumbles topping.
- Mixing Bowls: For preparing cake batter, strawberry shortcake crumble and frosting for strawberry crunch cake recipes.
How to Make Strawberry Crunch Cake
This cake comes together in 5 easy steps. This is the best strawberry crunch cake recipe, I make it every strawberry season.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Make the Cake: Make the vanilla and strawberry cake mixes separately. Mix the cake mix, egg, water, oil and vanilla together. Divide the batter between 3 cake pans. Bake the cakes and allow the cake to cool.
- Beat the Buttercream: Beat the butter and half of the powdered sugar until smooth. Then, add the rest of the sugar, vanilla and heavy cream and mix on high.
- Make the Strawberry Topping: Blend the freeze dried strawberries and the Nilla wafer crumbs. Add the melted butter, then blend again until combined.
- Assemble the Layer Cakes: On a cake board, add a small scoop of frosting. Lay a strawberry cake down, followed by the vanilla and the last strawberry. Layer buttercream and strawberry crunch in between each cake.
- Decorate and Top: Frost the sides and top of the cake and quickly add strawberry crunch to the wet frosting. Garnish with piped frosting and fresh strawberries.
Prep Ahead Suggestions for Homemade Strawberry Cake
Prepping ahead of time can really help to save time and kitchen space if hosting a potluck or get together.
- Bake the Cake: Prepare the cake a day in advance; store covered at room temperature.
- Make the Topping: Crush cookies and freeze-dried strawberries ahead of time; store in an airtight container.
- Frosting: Prepare and refrigerate; bring to room temperature before you frost the cake.
Alternate Cooking Methods for Homemade Strawberry Crunch Cake
If you don’t happen to have 3 cake pans, there’s another way to make this classic strawberry shortcake crunch cake.
- Cupcakes: Divide batter into cupcake liners; adjust baking time accordingly.
How to Store, Freeze and Use Leftovers of this Amazing Cake
- Storage: Cake can be stored covered. Refrigerate strawberry crunch recipes for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Freeze unfrosted cake layers for up to 2 months; thaw and frost before serving.
- Using Leftover Cake: Make a trifle! Layer pieces of the cake with whipped cream and fresh strawberries for a stunning trifle
- Make Cake Pops: Crumble the cake, mix it with frosting, and roll into balls for bite-sized treats.
- Turn it Into a Milkshake: Blend a slice with vanilla ice cream, or your favorite ice cream, and milk for a rich, strawberry-flavored shake. Add the crunch topping on top with some whipped cream.
Common Questions About This Easy Strawberry Crunch Cake Recipe
Yes, use a gluten-free cake mix and ensure cookies used for the topping are gluten-free.
If unavailable, use strawberry-flavored gelatin powder mixed with crushed cookies, though the flavor and texture may differ.
Expert Tips for Making Strawberry Crunch Cake
- Topping Application: Press the crunch topping gently onto the frosting to ensure it adheres well to the delicious strawberry crunch cake.
- Serving: Chill the cake slightly before slicing for cleaner cuts.
- Even Layers: Level the cake before frosting for a professional look.
- More Strawberry Recipes: Some similar recipes include Strawberry Jello Poke Cake, Strawberry Crunch Cookies or Strawberry Truffles.
More Recipes You Might Like
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Strawberry Crunch Cake
Equipment
- Non stick spray or cake release
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Ingredients
Cake
- Strawberry cake mix, 2 boxes
- Vanilla cake mix, 1 box
- 3 cups Water, 1 cup for each box mix
- 9 large Eggs, 3 per box mix
- 1 cup Oil, ⅓ cup oil per box mix
- 3 teaspoons Vanilla, 1 teaspoon per box mix
Strawberry Crunchies
- 16 ounces Freeze-dried strawberries, 2 packages
- 5.5 ounces Nilla wafers, ½ box, crushed
- 3 Tablespoons Melted butter
- Strawberries, fresh, for garnish
Buttercream
- 2 cups Butter, softened
- 8 cups Powdered sugar
- 1 Tablespoon Pure vanilla extract
- 8 Tablespoon Heavy cream
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 340℉.
- Spray 3, 8-inch round baking pans with non stick spray or use cake release.
- Prepare the cake mixes according to package directions.
- Divide the batter between pans, baking two strawberry and one vanilla cake.
- Bake according to package instructions. Let cakes cool in pans for at least 10 minutes before moving to a wired rack or let them cool in pans completely.
Make the Frosting
- Using a hand mixer, beat butter and half of the powdered sugar until smooth.
- Add the remaining powdered sugar, vanilla and 6 tablespoons heavy cream. Mix on high for 7 minutes.
- If the mixture is too stiff, add more heavy cream.
Make Strawberry Crunch
- Blend freeze-dried strawberries and Nilla Wafers in a high impact blender or food processor. Add melted butter and pulse until the mixture is evenly combined.
Assembly
- Place a small dollop of frosting onto an 8 or 10 inch cake board.
- Lay down a strawberry cake layer, vanilla cake layer and top with the last strawberry cake, adding buttercream in between each layer.
- Add strawberry crunchies between the layers. For this next part you will need to work quickly.
- Add buttercream to the sides of the cake. It doesn’t need to be perfectly smooth but it should be thick enough to not see cake through the frosting.
- Add strawberry crunchies immediately before the frosting “crusts” over making it difficult to get the mix to stick.
- Frost the top of the cake and cover with crunchies.
- Decorate with buttercream roses and fresh strawberries
Christina’s Notes
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensures smoother batter and even baking.
- Don’t Overmix: Mix just until ingredients are combined to avoid a dense cake.
- Cool Completely: Allow the cake to cool fully before frosting to prevent melting.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.
Was a HUGE hit! Baked for my granddaughters 5th birthday. So delicious!
My kids loved the color on this and it was so simple to make!
Thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe! Will surely have this again! It’s really easy to make and it tasted so delicious! Highly recommended!
This looks so delicious! I love the fresh strawberries on top
It is amazing. Enjoy!