Description
Love strawberry crunch ice cream bars? You’ll adore this Strawberry Crunch Cake! Made with fluffy homemade strawberry cake, rich vanilla frosting, and a crunchy strawberry-Oreo topping, it’s the ultimate summer dessert. Perfect for any occasion!
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 3 egg whites
- 1 whole egg
- 2/3 cup milk
- 3 oz package strawberry jello (powder only)
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
For the Frosting:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 2 cups powdered sugar
For the Crunch Topping:
- 12 golden Oreos (cream middles removed)
- 1 cup freeze-dried strawberries
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
Prepare the Oven and Pan:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with non-stick spray and set aside.
2. Make the Cake Batter:
- In a large bowl, beat butter with an electric mixer until smooth. Add sugar and beat until creamy.
- Add egg whites and the whole egg, beating on high speed for about 2 minutes until fluffy.
- Mix in milk, strawberry jello powder, and vanilla extract until combined.
3. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, beating on low speed until just combined.
4. Bake the Cake:
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool for at least 1 hour before frosting.
5. Make the Frosting:
- Beat softened butter until creamy. Add heavy cream, vanilla, and salt, mixing until combined.
- Gradually add powdered sugar while beating on medium speed. Beat until the frosting is light and fluffy.
6. Prepare the Crunch Topping:
- Place golden Oreo cookies and freeze-dried strawberries in a Ziploc bag. Crush with a rolling pin until crumbly.
- Add melted butter to the bag, seal, and toss to combine.
7. Assemble the Cake:
- Spread the buttercream frosting evenly over the cooled cake.
- Sprinkle the crunch topping evenly across the frosting.
8. Serve and Enjoy:
- Slice, serve, and enjoy this nostalgic summer treat!
Notes
- Room Temperature Eggs: For smooth mixing, use room temperature eggs. Submerge them in warm water for 5 minutes if needed.
- Freeze-Dried Strawberries: Look for them in the dried fruit aisle or order online.
- Make Ahead: Frost the cake 1-2 days ahead and refrigerate. Add the crunch topping just before serving to keep it fresh.