Name: Semi-Homemade Strawberry Crunch Cake Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 12
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 box vanilla cake mix; 1 cup water (237 ml); 1 egg; 1/3 cup vegetable oil (78 ml); 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (5 ml); 2 boxes strawberry cake mix; 2 cups water (473 ml); 2/3 cups vegetable oil (158 ml); 2 eggs; 2 teaspoon vanilla extract (10 ml); 2 (8-ounce) pkg freeze-dried strawberries (550 gm); 2 cups vanilla wafers (160 gm); 3 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted (45 ml); 2 cups unsalted butter, room temperature (454 gm); 8 cups powdered sugar (895 gm); 1 tablespoon vanilla extract (15 ml); 6 tablespoon heavy whipping cream (90 ml); 6 to 8 strawberries

Jump to Recipe

If you love the frozen strawberry crunch bars, you are sure to love this delicious homemade strawberry crunch cake recipe. Layered cakes, delicious homemade buttercream, and the perfect amount of strawberry crunch on the outside mimic this to create a decadent cake. Using boxed cake mixes saves time while still giving you delicious flavor in this fun cake recipe that will be loved.

Strawberry Crunch Cake Recipe

Cake recipes are always sure to be a hit at the dessert table. With so many options to consider, you may be wondering what to make, but this one is a great option that is going to help you create a dessert that will be raved over.

If you want a little easier option, you might also like this easy strawberry cake doctored cake mix recipe. Of course, you can also just make these strawberry cake mix cookies instead for bite-sized treats with tons of flavor.

What's the Best Cake Mix For This Recipe?

You can use any boxed cake mix for this recipe. 99% of the time I reach for Betty Crocker branded cake mixes, but Duncan Hines cake mixes are also excellent. A generic store brand can also work. Choose what is most convenient and focus on the frosting, additions to the mix, and decorations on the outside more than the cake itself. It's what you put into it that will make it moist and better than another option.

What Frosting Flavors Can I Use?

The recipe below is for a basic vanilla buttercream frosting. It's delicious, easy to make, and versatile. You can also use cream cheese frosting or even strawberry frosting if you prefer. It will just need to be the buttercream consistency to stay "solid" on the cake. I love the idea of using cream cheese frosting in place of traditional buttercream as it adds good flavor to the overall experience.

Do I Have to Refrigerate a Strawberry Crunch Cake?

While the cake itself is okay at room temperature, it is recommended that you refrigerate this cake. The buttercream frosting should be refrigerated and while some say it is okay to leave out at room temperature, I find it is much better to refrigerate. Just leave out for 10 to 15 minutes to reach room temperature when serving.

Ingredients for Cake

Strawberry cake mix
Vanilla cake mix
Water
Eggs
Vegetable oil
Vanilla extract
Nonstick cooking spray

Ingredients for Frosting

Unsalted butter
Powdered sugar
Vanilla extract
Heavy whipping cream

Ingredients for Strawberry Crumb Coating

Freeze-dried strawberries
Vanilla wafers*
Unsalted butter
Fresh strawberries

* You can use Chessman cookies, vanilla wafers, or a vanilla shortbread interchangeably in this crumble mixture.

Handy Kitchen Tools

How to Make the Cakes

Preheat the oven to 350°F and spray 3 round cake pans with non-stick spray or line with parchment paper and set aside.

In a large bowl, mix the vanilla cake batter with 1 cup water, ⅓ cup vegetable oil, 1 egg, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.

Pour the vanilla mix into one of the waiting cake pans.

In a clean large bowl, mix together the two strawberry cake mixes with 2 cups water, ⅔ cup vegetable oil, 2 eggs, and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract.

Divide the strawberry cake batter between the remaining two cake pans.

Bake according to the package directions (20-25 minutes usually).

Remove from the oven and let cool in the cake pans for 10 minutes before placing on wire racks to cool completely.

How to Make Frosting

In a large bowl, beat the butter ½ of the powdered sugar together until smooth.

Add in the remaining powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and heavy cream and mix on high for 7 minutes.

If the frosting is too stiff, you can add additional cream by the tablespoon until desired consistency.

How to Make Strawberry Crunch

In a food processor, combine the freeze-dried strawberries and vanilla wafers.

Pulse on high until fine crumbs.

Add the melted butter to the processor and pulse until combined evenly.

How to Assemble Cake

Prepare a cake board with a small dollop of frosting in the center. This will help hold the cake onto the board.

Lay down one strawberry cake, then frost the top with an even layer of buttercream.

Place the vanilla layer on top of the buttercream and repeat with a layer of buttercream on top of it.

Finish with the final layer of strawberry cake.

Coat the sides and top of the cake with an even layer of buttercream.

It needs to be an even layer but not too thick. Just so that the cake is no longer visible.

Next, use your hand to scoop the crumbles and press against the sides to coat well. Repeat scooping and pressing crumbs onto the top of the cake until covered.

Finish with individual dollops of buttercream around the outer edge of the cake and fresh strawberries on top of each dollop.

Chef's Tips

This recipe can be mae with only2 layers of cake, one white and one strawberry. If reducing the size of the cake, simply reduce the frosting and crumble mixture by ⅓.

When adding the crunch layer around the outside of the cake, it is easiest to place the cake onto a piece of parchment paper. You can then fold the paper in half and reuse the crumbs that fall onto it.

More Cake Recipes

Want more ideas for tasty cakes to add to your dessert menu? Below are some more of our favorites. From classic flavors to fresh new ideas, you'll find something to suit everyone at your dinner table from this list. Make sure you bookmark, pin, or print the recipes to use later.

📖 Recipe

Yield: 12