Irresistible Strawberry Crunch Cake Recipe for Sweet Moments

Sweet memories dance through my strawberry crunch cake, a delightful dessert that promises pure happiness.

Layers of soft vanilla sponge mingle with fresh, juicy berries from local farms.

Crispy crumble adds unexpected texture that makes each bite an adventure.

Delicate strawberries peek through golden-brown crunch, creating a visual symphony on the plate.

Baking this cake feels like wrapping yourself in a warm, comforting embrace.

Seasonal ingredients transform simple ingredients into something magical and memorable.

Join me in crafting a dessert that celebrates summer’s sweetest moments.

Strawberry Crunch Cake: Berry Sweet Layers

• Burst with Flavor: Indulge in a delightful strawberry explosion that combines sweet cake layers with tangy strawberry cream and a crunchy Oreo topping.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Perfect for birthday parties, summer gatherings, and special celebrations where you want to impress guests with a show-stopping cake.
• Bake with Ease: Straightforward recipe that doesn't require advanced baking skills, making it accessible for home bakers of all experience levels.
• Customize Your Creation: Flexible recipe allows for personal touches like adjusting food coloring or adding fresh strawberries for extra flair and visual appeal.

Must-Haves for Strawberry Crunch Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: A key ingredient that provides the structure for the soft and tender cake.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a light, fluffy texture.
• Unsalted Butter: Provides richness and helps create a tender crumb.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add moisture to the cake.
• Milk: Helps create a smooth, moist cake batter.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor of the cake.
• Strawberry Puree: Adds natural strawberry flavor and moisture to the cake.
• Pink Food Coloring: Optional ingredient to create a soft pink hue.

• Baking Powder: Helps the cake rise and become light and fluffy.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.

• Golden Oreos, Strawberry Oreos: Provide a crunchy texture and additional flavor for the topping.
• Freeze-Dried Strawberries: Adds intense strawberry flavor to the crunch topping.
• Melted Butter: Helps bind the crunch topping together.
• Cream Cheese: Creates a creamy, tangy base for the icing.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the icing.
• Fresh Strawberries: Optional garnish for decoration.

How to Make Strawberry Crunch Cake

Step 1: Prep The Oven

Get your oven warmed up to 350F.

Grab two round cake pans and give them a quick spray with cooking oil, then dust with flour to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

Grab a mixing bowl and whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt until everything looks evenly combined.

Set this bowl aside for later.

Step 3: Create Creamy Base

In a large mixing bowl, beat softened butter and sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.

Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition to create a smooth texture.

Step 4: Add Flavor Boosters

• Vanilla extract
• Strawberry puree
• Pink food coloring (optional)

Step 5: Blend Ingredients

Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture.

Alternate adding flour mixture and milk, mixing gently until just combined.

Avoid overmixing to keep the cake tender.

Step 6: Bake The Layers

Pour batter evenly into prepared pans.

Slide into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes.

Check doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should come out clean.

Step 7: Cool Down Cakes

Let cakes rest in pans for 10 minutes.

Transfer to a wire rack and allow complete cooling.

Step 8: Create Crunchy Topping

• Crushed Golden Oreos
• Crushed Strawberry Oreos
• Freeze-dried strawberries
• Melted butter

Step 9: Whip Up Strawberry Cream Icing

Beat cream cheese and butter until silky smooth.

Gradually add powdered sugar.

• Strawberry puree
• Vanilla extract
• Pink food coloring (optional)

Step 10: Layer First Cake

Place one cake layer on your serving plate.

Spread a generous layer of strawberry cream icing.

Step 11: Complete Cake Structure

Add second cake layer.

Frost entire cake with remaining icing, creating a smooth surface.

Step 12: Add Crunchy Finale

Gently press strawberry crunch mixture onto cake sides and top.

For extra beauty, garnish with fresh strawberries if desired.

Strawberry Crunch Cake Baker’s Secrets

• Use exact measurements for flour, baking powder, and other ingredients to ensure the cake's perfect texture and rise.
• Take butter, eggs, and cream cheese out of the refrigerator 30-60 minutes before baking to help them blend smoothly.
• Do not overmix the batter; stir just until ingredients are combined to keep the cake moist and tender.
• Insert a toothpick at a 45-degree angle into the cake's center; if it comes out clean with a few moist crumbs, the cake is ready.
• Wrap unfrosted cake layers in plastic wrap and freeze up to one month for convenient make-ahead dessert preparation.

Strawberry Crunch Cake Fun Variations

• Gluten-Free Strawberry Delight: Replace wheat flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend, ensuring the same moist texture while making the cake safe for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Vegan Berry Celebration: Swap eggs with flax eggs, use plant-based butter and cream cheese alternatives, and incorporate non-dairy milk to create a completely plant-based version of the cake.
• Low-Sugar Berry Bliss: Substitute regular sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, reducing overall sugar content while maintaining the cake's delightful strawberry flavor profile.
• Dairy-Free Strawberry Dream: Use coconut cream cheese, plant-based butter, and almond milk to transform the recipe into a dairy-free option that doesn't compromise on taste or texture.

Serve Strawberry Crunch Cake for Celebrations

• Sweet Slice of Heaven: Slice this cake during summer gatherings or birthday parties for a stunning dessert centerpiece that will wow guests.
• Afternoon Tea Delight: Pair each slice with a hot cup of Earl Grey tea or chilled strawberry lemonade to enhance the fruity flavors and create a perfect afternoon treat.
• Decorative Display: Arrange fresh strawberry halves around the cake base or create elegant swirls with extra icing to elevate the cake's visual appeal and make it Instagram-worthy.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the cake layers and crunch topping a day in advance, storing them separately to maintain freshness, then assemble just before serving for maximum flavor and texture.

Store Strawberry Crunch Cake for Freshness

• Store the strawberry crunch cake in an airtight container or wrap tightly with plastic wrap. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days to maintain freshness and prevent the cream cheese icing from spoiling.
• Wrap the entire frosted cake securely in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving to preserve texture and flavor.
• Cut cake into portions, wrap each slice separately in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 1 month for convenient single-serving treats.

FAQs

• Can I make this cake without food coloring?

Yes, you can skip the pink food coloring. The cake will taste the same and still look delicious, just without the vibrant pink hue.

• Is strawberry puree hard to make?

Not at all! Simply blend fresh strawberries in a food processor or blender until smooth. You can also strain it to remove seeds if preferred.

• What if I can't find Strawberry Oreos?

No problem. Use regular Golden Oreos and add a bit more freeze-dried strawberries to maintain the strawberry flavor in the crunch topping.

• How ripe should my strawberries be for this recipe?

Choose bright red, fragrant strawberries that are slightly soft but not mushy. Ripe strawberries will provide the best flavor for your puree and garnish.

Strawberry Crunch Cake Recipe

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4.7 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Strawberry crunch cake delivers a perfect blend of sweet berries and crispy texture, creating a delightful dessert experience. Layers of moist cake, fresh strawberries, and crunchy topping promise pure indulgence you’ll savor with every delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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Cake Ingredients:

• 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 2.5 teaspoons baking powder
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 0.5 cup milk
• 0.5 cup strawberry puree (fresh or frozen strawberries, blended)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1–2 drops pink food coloring (optional)

Crunch Topping Ingredients:

• 10 Golden Oreos, crushed
• 5 Strawberry Oreos, crushed
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 0.25 cup freeze-dried strawberries, crushed

Frosting Ingredients:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
• 0.5 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 0.25 cup strawberry puree (fresh or frozen strawberries, blended)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1–2 drops pink food coloring (optional)

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Instructions

1. Calibrate the oven to 350F (175C) and prepare two 9-inch round cake pans by greasing and dusting with flour.
2. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl, then set aside for later use.
3. Using an electric mixer, blend butter and sugar until achieving a fluffy, pale consistency. Incorporate eggs individually, ensuring thorough mixing after each addition.
4. Integrate vanilla extract, strawberry puree, and optional pink food coloring into the butter mixture, creating a smooth blend.
5. Alternate adding flour mixture and milk to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined to maintain cake’s delicate texture.
6. Distribute batter evenly between prepared cake pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes, checking doneness with a toothpick inserted into the center.
7. Allow cakes to rest in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.
8. Craft the crunch topping by combining crushed Golden Oreos, Strawberry Oreos, freeze-dried strawberries, and melted butter in a bowl.
9. Prepare cream icing by whipping cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually incorporate powdered sugar, then fold in strawberry puree, vanilla extract, and optional pink food coloring.
10. Position first cake layer on serving plate and spread a thick layer of strawberry cream icing across the surface.
11. Carefully place second cake layer on top and generously frost entire cake with remaining icing.
12. Gently press strawberry crunch mixture onto cake’s sides and top for textural contrast. Optional: Decorate with fresh strawberries for visual appeal.

Notes

• Customize Color Intensity by adjusting pink food coloring drops for a more vibrant or subtle strawberry cake appearance.
• Ensure Room Temperature ingredients like butter, eggs, and cream cheese blend smoothly and create a more uniform cake texture.
• Prevent Dry Cake by not overmixing batter and checking doneness early to avoid overbaking, which can make the cake tough.
• Make Gluten-Free by substituting all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend, maintaining the cake’s delicate crumb and flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 341 kcal
• Sugar: 34 g
• Sodium: 147 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 43 g
• Fiber: 1.5 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg