Description

This Strawberry Crunch Cake is a nostalgic, refreshing dessert that combines a moist strawberry-infused poke cake with a silky cream cheese whipped frosting. Finished with a buttery, crisp cookie crumble, it perfectly recreates the beloved flavors of a classic strawberry ice cream bar.

Ingredients

1 box (15.25 oz) white cake mix (plus ingredients required by package)
2 boxes (3 oz each) strawberry gelatin powder, divided
1 cup boiling water
1 cup cold water
8 oz cream cheese, softened
2 cups heavy whipping cream, cold
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 package (14.3 oz) Golden Oreos, crushed
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
Fresh strawberries for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F and liberally grease a 9×13 inch rectangular baking pan with cooking spray.
Prepare the white cake mix according to the package directions, pour into the pan, and bake for 22-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Allow the cake to cool completely on a wire rack, then use a fork or the end of a wooden spoon to poke holes across the entire surface about an inch apart.
In a small pitcher, whisk the first box of strawberry gelatin with 1 cup boiling water until dissolved, then stir in 1 cup cold water.
Slowly pour the liquid gelatin over the holes in the cake, cover, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours to set.
Beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and fluffy, then in a separate bowl, whisk cold heavy cream, confectioners’ sugar, and vanilla until stiff peaks form.
Gently fold the cream cheese into the whipped cream with a spatula and spread the frosting evenly over the chilled cake.
In a medium bowl, combine crushed Golden Oreos, melted butter, and the second box of dry strawberry gelatin powder until well coated.
Sprinkle the strawberry crunch mixture over the frosting, press down gently, garnish with fresh strawberries if desired, and serve cold.

Notes

For the signature crunch topping, aim for a variety of textures by leaving some Golden Oreo pieces the size of small peas while crushing the rest into a fine dust. To ensure a perfectly smooth frosting, make sure your cream cheese is truly at room temperature before beating, as even slight coldness can cause stubborn lumps in the whipped cream. If you are preparing this for an event, the cake can be baked and infused with gelatin a day in advance to save time.

Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Southern American