Strawberry Crunch Cake

If you’re looking for a dessert that’s part nostalgia, part WOW-factor, and 100% delicious, let me introduce you to STRAWBERRY CRUNCH CAKE. This beauty is inspired by the classic strawberry shortcake ice cream bars we all loved as kids, but it’s taken up a notch.

My SISTER-IN-LAW made this for a family dinner last month, and let me just say—it was a TOTAL HIT. The cake layers are fluffy, the frosting is creamy, and the strawberry crunch topping? Pure magic.

Let’s dive into this recipe together and make dessert the BEST part of your day.

— ❖ —

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS STRAWBERRY CRUNCH CAKE

• NOSTALGIA ALERT: It brings back those childhood vibes in the best way possible.
• TEXTURE FOR DAYS: Soft cake, creamy frosting, and a crunchy topping that seals the deal.
• EASY TO CUSTOMIZE: You can also switch up the flavors if you’re feeling creative.

— ❖ —

INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED STRAWBERRY CRUNCH CAKE

FOR THE CAKE:

• 2 ½ cups of all-purpose flour
• 2 ½ tsp of baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ¾ cup unsalted butter (room temp)
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 box (3 oz) strawberry gelatin mix

THE FROSTING:

• 1 cup unsalted butter (room temp)
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2-3 tbsp heavy cream

FOR THE CRUNCH TOPPING:

• 1 ½ cups crushed vanilla wafers
• 1 package (3 oz) strawberry gelatin mix
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

— ❖ —

HOW TO MAKE STRAWBERRY CRUNCH CAKE

STEP 1: MAKE THE CAKE BATTER

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease two 9-inch round cake pans.
2. In a bowl, you mix the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, you beat the butter and sugar until fluffy (about 3 minutes). Add eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla.
4. Alternate adding the dry ingredients then milk to the butter mixture,you start and end with the dry.
5. Divide the batter in half. Mix the strawberry gelatin into one half to create that signature pink layer.

PART 2: BAKE AND COOL

1. Pour the plain batter into a pan and the strawberry batter into the other. Smooth the tops.
2. Bake for 25-30 minutes .
3. Let baked cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then you transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

STEP 3: WHIP UP THE FROSTING

1. Beat the butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla, and cream until smooth.
2. Set aside about ½ cup of frosting for decorating later.

PART 4: MAKE THE CRUNCH TOPPING

1. Crush the vanilla wafers in a ziplock bag or food processor.
2. In a bowl, mix your crushed cookies with the strawberry gelatin powder and melted butter. The mixture should stick together slightly.

STEP 5: ASSEMBLE THE CAKE

1. Place the strawberry layer on a cake stand. Spread frosting on top.
2. Add the vanilla layer, then frost the entire cake.
3. Gently press the crunch topping onto the sides and top of the cake. (This part is messy but SO worth it.)

STEP 6: DECORATE AND SERVE

Use the reserved frosting to pipe a few swirls on top or add fresh strawberries for an extra pop. Slice and SERVE!

— ❖ —

TIPS FOR SUCCESS

• KEEP IT COOL: Make sure the cakes are completely cooled before frosting, or things will get messy fast.
• CRUNCH IT RIGHT: If you want an extra-fine crunch topping, you can pulse the cookies in a food processor until they’re like crumbs.
• GET CREATIVE: Try swapping the strawberry with raspberry or lemon for a twist.

— ❖ —

WHY THIS CAKE IS PERFECT FOR ANY OCCASION

This Strawberry Crunch Cake isn’t just a dessert—it’s a SHOWSTOPPER. It’s perfect for birthdays, potlucks, or even a regular Tuesday when you want to treat yourself. My husband requested it AGAIN after I made it for a friend’s BBQ, so trust me, it’s a keeper.

— ❖ —

STRAWBERRY CRUNCH CAKE: THE ULTIMATE SWEET TREAT

Nothing screams “FUN AND FLAVOR” like a STRAWBERRY CRUNCH CAKE! This cake has got you covered. With its BIG strawberry flavor, BRIGHT pink layers, and that SIGNATURE crunchy topping, it’s no surprise that this dessert is a TOTAL CROWD-PLEASER.

When my sister-in-law introduced me to this recipe, I knew I had to share it with you all. She served it during our Sunday family get-together, and it instantly became the STAR of the table. We couldn’t stop raving about how the layers were so light, the frosting so creamy, and the topping so satisfying. If you’re thinking about impressing your friends and family, THIS is the cake to make.

— ❖ —

STRAWBERRY CRUNCH CAKE IS A REAL TASTE OF NOSTALGIA

For many of us, Strawberry Crunch Cake brings back memories of those strawberry shortcake ice cream bars from childhood. You know the ones—the creamy strawberry ice cream bars with that ADDICTIVE crunchy coating. Well, this cake takes those SAME nostalgic flavors and turns them into a GORGEOUS dessert .

For that perfectly fruity layer, I recommend using homemade strawberry puree instead of store-bought sauces. It’s FRESH, EASY, and takes the flavor to the next level!

— ❖ —

WHY STRAWBERRY CRUNCH CAKE IS POPULAR

There’s a reason this cake has been trending on social media and popping up at parties everywhere. People LOVE the way it combines a sense of nostalgia with a modern twist. It’s the perfect cake for anyone who wants to bring a little creativity to the dessert table.

Another big reason for its popularity is how versatile it is. You can easily customize the flavor and swapping the strawberry gelatin for another flavor, like raspberry, lemon, or even peach. You can also change the topping to match your theme—think rainbow sprinkles or crushed chocolate cookies.

— ❖ —

STRAWBERRY CRUNCH CAKE MAKES ANY EVENT SPECIAL

The BEST thing about STRAWBERRY CRUNCH CAKE? It works for ANY celebration, BIG or small. I whipped this up for a friend’s BABY SHOWER, and let me tell you, it was the STAR of the dessert table. Those pretty pink and white layers were a PERFECT match for the party’s theme, and it looked SO cute next to the decorations. Seriously, EVERYONE kept asking for the recipe, and I couldn’t help but GUSH about how easy it was to pull off.

— ❖ —

FAQs

— ❖ —

This STRAWBERRY CRUNCH CAKE is pure dessert perfection. Whether you’re serving it at a big party or just making it for fun, you’ll be the star baker of the day. So what are you waiting for? LET’S BAKE!

Print