If you’re on the hunt for a dessert that’s bursting with vibrant flavor and irresistible texture, look no further than this Strawberry Crunch Cake. This delightful dessert combines the sweet, fruity notes of strawberry cake with the rich, creamy texture of a homemade buttercream frosting and finishes it all off with a satisfyingly crispy, buttery topping that adds the perfect contrast in every bite. The Strawberry Crunch Cake is not just a treat for your taste buds but also a feast for the eyes with its lovely pink hues and crunchy golden topping. Trust me, once you try this cake, it will quickly become one of your go-to favorites that you’ll want to share with friends and family.

Strawberry Crunch Cake Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Creating the perfect Strawberry Crunch Cake is simpler than you might think because each ingredient plays a crucial and delicious role. From the cake mix that ensures a light, moist base to the buttery, fluffy frosting and that crunchy topping made with Oreos and freeze-dried strawberries, each element adds its own magic to this showstopper dessert.

Strawberry cake mix (1 box, 13.25 ounces): This provides a wonderfully fragrant and flavorful strawberry base with minimal effort.
Water (1 cup): Hydrates the mix to create a tender crumb.
Vegetable oil (1/3 cup): Keeps the cake moist while helping it bake evenly.
Large eggs (3): Bind the ingredients and add richness.
Unsalted butter, softened (1 cup): Used in the frosting for a creamy and smooth finish.
Vanilla extract (1 tablespoon): Enhances the sweetness and complements the strawberry flavor.
Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Balances the sweetness in the frosting.
Powdered sugar (4 cups): Sweetens and thickens the frosting to perfect spreadable consistency.
Heavy whipping cream (2-4 tablespoons): Lightens the frosting to a fluffy texture.
Golden Oreos (12, cream fillings removed): Adds a delightful buttery crunch in the topping.
Freeze-dried strawberries (1 cup): Intensifies the strawberry flavor with a crispy texture in the crunch topping.
Unsalted butter, melted (4 tablespoons): Binds the crunch topping crumbs together and adds richness.

How to Make Strawberry Crunch Cake

Step 1: Bake the Cake Base

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and prepping a 9×13 inch baking dish with nonstick spray. Follow the simple package directions of your strawberry cake mix by combining the mix with water, vegetable oil, and eggs. Pour the batter into your prepared pan and bake until golden and springy to the touch. Once out of the oven, let the cake cool completely because frosting a warm cake will only lead to melting and sliding toppings.

Step 2: Whip up the Frosting

While the cake cools, it’s time for the luscious frosting. Beat a full cup of softened unsalted butter on medium speed until it gets light and creamy, about 2 minutes. Then add your vanilla extract and salt, mixing until silky smooth. Slowly incorporate powdered sugar, adding it a cup at a time to prevent a cloud of sugar in your kitchen. Once well combined, slowly add heavy whipping cream to reach a fluffy yet firm consistency that spreads like a dream but holds its shape beautifully.

Step 3: Prepare the Crunchy Topping

For the signature crunch, take 12 Golden Oreos and carefully remove their cream fillings. Place the cookie parts together with 1 cup of freeze-dried strawberries inside a sturdy plastic bag. Crush this mixture with a rolling pin or the bottom of a heavy pan until you have pea-sized crumbs. Then pour melted butter into the bag, seal it tightly, and toss everything together until the crumbs are evenly coated and ready to sprinkle.

Step 4: Assemble the Cake

Spread your luscious buttercream frosting evenly over the completely cooled strawberry cake. Be generous but smooth out the frosting so it looks inviting and neat. Finally, sprinkle the buttery Oreo-strawberry crunch over the top in an even layer, letting those delightful textures promise a satisfying bite. Slice, serve, and prepare for all the compliments coming your way!

How to Serve Strawberry Crunch Cake

Garnishes

For an elegant touch, consider garnishing your Strawberry Crunch Cake with a few fresh strawberry slices or a light dusting of powdered sugar. This adds bright color and a fresh fruity burst that enhances the overall experience. You can also add a few extra crumbs of the crunchy topping on each slice to keep that delightful texture consistent.

Side Dishes

This cake pairs wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream for those extra indulgent moments. If you want to balance the sweetness, a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette is a surprisingly refreshing accompaniment after serving a slice of this rich dessert.

Creative Ways to Present

Slice the Strawberry Crunch Cake into perfect squares and serve it on elegant dessert plates to wow your guests. Alternatively, cut it into smaller bite-sized squares for a party platter, or serve it in individual glass trifle cups layering cake, frosting, and topping for a fun twist that looks just as incredible as it tastes.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Strawberry Crunch Cake can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If your kitchen is warm, refrigerate it to keep the frosting and topping fresh, but bring the cake back to room temperature before serving so it tastes moist and flavorful.

Freezing

This cake freezes beautifully. Wrap individual slices in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. Frozen slices keep well for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw the cake slices overnight in the fridge to maintain the perfect texture and taste.

Reheating

Since this is a delicate frosted cake, it’s best enjoyed chilled or at room temperature. If you prefer a warmer bite, gently warm a slice in the microwave for 10-15 seconds, but avoid heating too long to preserve the texture of the frosting and crunchy topping.

FAQs

Can I make the Strawberry Crunch Cake from scratch without a box mix?

Absolutely! You can replace the box mix with a homemade strawberry cake batter using fresh or frozen strawberries and strawberry extract. Just remember to adjust the sweetness and moisture levels to keep the cake tender and flavorful.

Do I have to use Golden Oreos for the crunch topping?

Golden Oreos add a lovely buttery flavor, but you can experiment with other cookies like graham crackers or vanilla wafers if you prefer. Just make sure to remove any cream fillings to keep the topping crisp and not too sweet.

Can I substitute the freeze-dried strawberries?

Freeze-dried strawberries offer a unique crunchy texture and intense flavor, but if you can’t find them, finely chopped fresh strawberries mixed with a little sugar can work as a topping alternative, though the crunch factor will be less pronounced.

Is this cake suitable for a party or special occasion?

Definitely! Strawberry Crunch Cake is both visually stunning and crowd-pleasing, making it perfect for birthdays, showers, or any celebration. It’s a great way to impress guests with a homemade yet effortlessly delicious dessert.

How long does it take to prepare the Strawberry Crunch Cake?

From start to finish, including baking, cooling, frosting, and assembling the topping, you can expect to spend about 1.5 to 2 hours. It’s well worth the time for the incredible flavor and texture combination you’ll enjoy.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly special about the Strawberry Crunch Cake that makes it stand out from everyday desserts. Its balance of light, fluffy cake, smooth, velvety frosting, and that irresistible crunchy topping is simply unforgettable. If you want to treat yourself or your loved ones to a dessert that feels both comforting and a little bit fancy, this cake fits the bill perfectly. Go ahead and give the Strawberry Crunch Cake a try—your taste buds will thank you!

Strawberry Crunch Cake Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 29 reviews

Author: Ella
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 12 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Strawberry Crunch Cake is a delightful and vibrant dessert featuring a moist strawberry-flavored cake layered with a creamy vanilla frosting and topped with a crunchy mixture of crushed Golden Oreos and freeze-dried strawberries. This cake combines soft, sweet, and crispy textures for a perfect treat that’s both visually appealing and irresistibly delicious.

Instructions

Make the cake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with nonstick spray. Prepare the cake batter according to the instructions on the strawberry cake mix package, combining the cake mix, water, vegetable oil, and eggs. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake as directed, usually around 25-30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Remove from the oven and let the cake cool completely before frosting.
Make the frosting: Using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a whisk or paddle attachment, beat 1 cup of softened unsalted butter on medium speed for about 2 minutes until creamy and lightened in color. Add 1 tablespoon vanilla extract and 1/4 teaspoon salt and continue to mix until combined and smooth. Gradually add in 4 cups powdered sugar, about 1 cup at a time, beating slowly to prevent sugar from flying out and scraping down the bowl as needed. Once incorporated, slowly beat in 2 tablespoons of heavy cream and increase speed to high, beating for an additional 1 minute until the frosting is light, fluffy, and spreadable. Add additional heavy cream, 1 tablespoon at a time, if needed to reach the desired consistency.
Prepare the topping: Place the 12 Golden Oreo cookies, without their cream filling, and 1 cup freeze-dried strawberries into a large resealable plastic bag. Using a rolling pin, crush the cookies and strawberries until you get pea-sized crumbs.
Combine topping with butter: Pour 4 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter into the bag with the crushed Oreos and freeze-dried strawberries. Seal the bag and toss or shake gently to evenly coat the crumbs with the melted butter.
Frost the cake: Spread the prepared frosting evenly over the completely cooled cake, making sure to cover the entire surface with a smooth layer.
Add the crunch topping: Sprinkle the buttery Oreo and strawberry crumb mixture evenly over the frosted cake, pressing lightly if needed to help it adhere.
Serve: Slice the Strawberry Crunch Cake into pieces, serve, and enjoy this delicious dessert!

Notes

Ensure the cake is fully cooled before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
To remove the cream from the Golden Oreos, gently twist the cookies apart and scrape off the cream with a knife.
If desired, freeze-dried strawberries can be substituted with crushed freeze-dried raspberries or dried strawberries for different flavors.
The cake mix should be a strawberry-flavored mix to give the best flavor; avoid substitutes unless similarly flavored.
Store leftover cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days to maintain freshness.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American