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A stunning layered strawberry crunch cake with creamy cheesecake filling, fluffy frosting, and a nostalgic cookie crunch topping.
Strawberry Crunch Topping
36 vanilla sandwich cookies, coarsely crushed
3 oz strawberry gelatin mix
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
5–6 drops red food coloring gel
Strawberry Cake Layers
16.5 oz Strawberry Supreme cake mix
3 large eggs, room temperature
½ cup unsalted butter, melted
1 cup whole milk
3 oz strawberry gelatin mix
Cheesecake Layer
¾ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup cornstarch
16 oz cream cheese, softened
¼ cup heavy cream
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
3 large eggs, room temperature
Cream Cheese Frosting
8 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup heavy cream
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups powdered sugar
Make the Strawberry Crunch Topping
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Divide crushed cookies evenly between two bowls.
Mix strawberry gelatin into one bowl of cookie crumbs.
Add 2 tablespoons melted butter to the plain cookie crumbs and stir.
Mix food coloring into the remaining 2 tablespoons melted butter. Pour over the strawberry crumb mixture and stir until evenly colored.
Spread both crumb mixtures onto the baking sheet.
Bake for 10 minutes. Cool completely.
Bake the Strawberry Cake Layers
Grease two 9-inch round cake pans.
In a large bowl, mix cake mix, eggs, melted butter, milk, and strawberry gelatin until smooth.
Divide batter evenly between prepared pans.
Bake for 24–28 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Cool completely and remove from pans.
Prepare the Cheesecake Layer
Reduce oven temperature to 325°F (163°C).
Whisk sugar and cornstarch together; set aside.
Line a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper and spray with nonstick spray.
Beat cream cheese, heavy cream, and vanilla until smooth.
Add eggs one at a time, mixing on low speed.
Slowly add sugar-cornstarch mixture.
Mix until smooth and creamy.
Pour into prepared pan.
Bake for 40 minutes.
Turn oven off and leave cheesecake inside for 20 minutes without opening the door.
Remove and cool for 30 minutes.
Cover tightly and freeze for 1 hour.
Make the Cream Cheese Frosting
Beat cream cheese, heavy cream, and butter for 1½–2 minutes until fluffy.
Mix in vanilla extract.
Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing until smooth.
Assemble the Cake
Place one strawberry cake layer on a serving plate.
Spread ¼ cup frosting evenly over the top.
Remove cheesecake from springform pan and place on top of the cake layer.
Spread another ¼ cup frosting over the cheesecake.
Add the second strawberry cake layer.
Frost the entire cake with remaining frosting.
Break cooled cookie crumbs into smaller pieces.
Sprinkle crumbs over the top and gently press onto the sides of the cake.
Chill for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving.
Freeze the cheesecake layer before assembly for easier handling.
For clean slices, chill the assembled cake for 1–2 hours before serving.
Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
The crunch topping can be prepared a day in advance.
Find it online: http://elladishes.com/strawberry-crunch-cake-recipe/