The Best Fluffy Pancakes recipe you will fall in love with. Full of tips and tricks to help you make the best pancakes.
If you grew up loving the iconic Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bar, this Strawberry Crunch Cake will instantly take you back to childhood summers. With its fluffy strawberry cake layers, creamy vanilla filling, and irresistible strawberry–vanilla crunch topping, this dessert is the perfect slice of nostalgia reimagined as a stunning layer cake.
The flavors are bright, fruity, creamy, and sweet—exactly like the famous popsicle, but in a soft, decadent cake form that’s perfect for birthdays, celebrations, BBQs, and anytime you need a crowd-pleasing dessert.
What Makes Strawberry Crunch Cake So Special?
This cake is famous online because it captures the exact flavor of the nostalgic ice cream bar.
Here’s why you’ll fall in love:
✔ Three dreamy strawberry cake layers
✔ A silky vanilla cream filling
✔ A strawberry crunch topping that tastes just like the popsicle coating
✔ Pretty pink color and irresistible texture
✔ Simple ingredients, huge flavor payoff
✔ Perfect for spring, summer, and nostalgic celebrations
Every bite has that signature crunch, melt-in-your-mouth creaminess, and bright strawberry flavor.
What Is Strawberry Crunch?
Strawberry crunch is the iconic crumb topping found on classic strawberry shortcake ice cream pops. It combines:
- Butter
- Crushed cookies
- Freeze-dried strawberries
- Vanilla flavor
This creates a sweet, sandy, crunchy topping that is both buttery and fruity. It’s the magic that makes this cake addictive.
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 1 box strawberry cake mix (plus ingredients on the box)
OR use homemade batter below: - 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 (3 oz) box strawberry Jell-O
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup strawberry puree
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Vanilla Cream Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup cold heavy cream
Strawberry Crunch Topping
- 1 cup golden Oreos or vanilla cookies, crushed
- 1 cup freeze-dried strawberries, crushed
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
Frosting
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp heavy cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
1. Make the Cake
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease and line three 8-inch cake pans.
- If using cake mix, prepare according to box directions.
- For homemade: mix flour, sugar, Jell-O, and baking powder.
- Add melted butter, milk, strawberry puree, eggs, and vanilla.
- Beat just until smooth.
- Divide into pans and bake 22–26 minutes.
- Cool completely.
2. Make the Vanilla Cream Filling
- Beat cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth.
- Add vanilla.
- In a separate bowl, whip cream to stiff peaks.
- Fold whipped cream into cream cheese mixture.
- Chill until needed.
3. Make the Strawberry Crunch Topping
- Pulse cookies and freeze-dried strawberries separately.
- Combine in a bowl.
- Add melted butter and toss to coat.
- Spread on parchment and let dry 10 minutes.
4. Make the Frosting
- Beat butter until fluffy.
- Add powdered sugar gradually.
- Add vanilla and heavy cream; beat until smooth.
5. Assemble the Cake
- Place first cake layer on a board.
- Spread a thick layer of vanilla cream filling.
- Add second layer; repeat.
- Add third layer and frost the entire cake with vanilla buttercream.
- Press strawberry crunch mixture onto top and sides of cake.
- Decorate with fresh strawberries if desired.
Tips for the Best Strawberry Crunch Cake
Use Freeze-Dried Strawberries Only
Fresh berries don’t create the same crisp crunch—freeze-dried give that popsicle flavor.
Whip Cream Separately
This makes the filling light and mousse-like.
Bake in Three Layers Instead of Cutting One
Creates cleaner slices and more even layering.
Add a Touch of Pink Food Coloring
Optional but makes the cake extra nostalgic and bright.
Chill Before Slicing
30–45 minutes helps the layers firm and slice beautifully.
Fun Variations
Strawberry Shortcake Crunch Cupcakes
Use the same recipe for cupcakes and dip frosting in crunch topping.
Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake
Layer crunch topping over a no-bake cheesecake.
Chocolate Strawberry Crunch Cake
Use chocolate cake layers for a Neapolitan flavor profile.
Lemon Strawberry Crunch Cake
Add lemon zest and lemon curd for a citrus twist.
Serving Suggestions
This cake is perfect for:
- Birthdays
- Summer parties
- Nostalgic dessert nights
- Mother’s Day
- Potlucks
- Bake sales
- Kids’ celebrations
Serve chilled or at room temperature—both are delicious.
Storage
- Refrigerator: 3–4 days
- Freezer: Unfrosted cake layers freeze up to 2 months
- Crunch topping: Stays crisp in an airtight container for 1 week
Strawberry Crunch Cake – Nostalgic Dessert Inspired by a Classic Popsicle
A fluffy strawberry layer cake filled with vanilla cream and topped with a strawberry–vanilla crunch crumble inspired by the classic strawberry shortcake popsicle.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Prepare strawberry cake layers and cool completely.
- Make vanilla cream filling by whipping cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and folded whipped cream.
- Prepare strawberry crunch topping with cookies, freeze-dried strawberries, and melted butter.
- Make buttercream frosting by beating butter, powdered sugar, cream, and vanilla.
- Assemble cake with filling between layers and frost the outside.
- Press strawberry crunch topping onto the cake and decorate.
A Retro Dessert Reborn
This Strawberry Crunch Cake is everything we love about nostalgic treats: bright flavors, vibrant colors, creamy layers, and that irresistible strawberry crunch. It turns a beloved childhood popsicle into a gorgeous, sliceable cake that impresses every time.
