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Lifting a slice of strawberry crunch cake from the pan
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Strawberry Crunch Cake

This Strawberry Crunch Cake recipe is inspired by the classic Good Humor strawberry shortcake ice cream bars you got as a kid!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: strawberry crunch cake
Servings: 12 slices

Ingredients

FOR THE CAKE

  • 1 box (13.25 ounce) strawberry cake mix (see note below)
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 3 large eggs

FOR THE FROSTING

  • 1 cup unsalted butter , softened to room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 2-4 tablespoons heavy whipping cream , room temperature

FOR THE CRUNCH TOPPING

  • 12 Golden Oreos , separated and cream middles removed
  • 1 cup freeze-dried strawberries
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter , melted

Instructions

  • Make the cake: Preheat oven to 350F. Coat a 9x13 inch baking dish with nonstick spray. Prepare the cake according to package directions. Let cool completely before frosting.
    Strawberry cake batter in a cake pan
  • Make the frosting: With a handheld mixer (or stand mixer fitted with a whisk or paddle attachment), beat 1 cup of softened butter on medium speed for about 2 minutes or until creamy and lightened in color, scraping down the bowl as needed. Add 1 tablespoon vanilla extract and 1/4 teaspoon salt, until combined and smooth. Add in 4 cups powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, until sugar is incorporated, scraping down the bowl several times to ensure everything is well blended. Slowly beat in 2 tablespoons heavy cream, increasing speed to high and beating for 1 more minute until frosting reaches desired consistency. Add in more heavy cream, 1 tablespoon at a time, ONLY if necessary. (Frosting should be light and fluffy, and easily spreadable, but hold its shape.)
    A bowl of vanilla frosting
  • Make the topping: Add 12 Golden Oreo cookies (without the cream filling) and 1 cup freeze-dried strawberries to a Ziploc bag; crush with a rolling pin until you get pea size crumbs.
    Freeze dried strawberries and golden Oreos in a baggie
  • Pour in 4 tablespoons of melted butter, seal the bag, and toss to combine.
    crushed freeze dried strawberries, golden Oreos, and melted butter in a baggie
  • Spread the frosting on top of the cake in an even layer
    Spreading vanilla frosting on strawberry cake
  • Sprinkle the crunch mix evenly over the frosting.
    Overhead view of a pan of strawberry crunch cake
  • Slice, serve, and enjoy!
    A slice of strawberry crunch cake on a plate

Video

Notes

Cake brands. If you have a 15.25 box add in a 1/2 cup oil instead of 1/3. Feel free to use a homemade strawberry cake, if preferred.
Shortcut frosting. For a shortcut version, you can use a container of store bought vanilla frosting.

Nutrition

Calories: 691kcal | Carbohydrates: 96g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 94mg | Sodium: 359mg | Potassium: 299mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 75g | Vitamin A: 685IU | Vitamin C: 241mg | Calcium: 89mg | Iron: 5mg