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Strawberry Crunch Cake Ingredients (Simple & Sweet!)

Gather these easy ingredients. Most are pantry staples!

For the Golden Oreo Crust:
- 1 package Golden Oreos (about 36 cookies)
- 6 tablespoons melted butter
For the Luscious Strawberry Filling:
- 4 cups fresh strawberries, chopped small
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- *Optional: 1 tablespoon strawberry Jell-O powder (for extra color & flavor)*
For the Creamy Dreamy Layer:
- 16 oz (2 packages) cream cheese, SOFTENED
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 (8 oz) tub Cool Whip, thawed (or 2 cups homemade whipped cream)
For the Iconic Strawberry Crunch Topping:
- 10 Golden Oreos
- 1 oz bag freeze-dried strawberries (about 1 cup)
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- *Optional: 1 tablespoon strawberry Jell-O powder*

Essential Equipment You’ll Need

You probably have most of this already!

9×13 inch baking pan
Food processor (or a strong zip-top bag + rolling pin)
Medium saucepan
Electric mixer (handheld or stand)
Large mixing bowl
Medium mixing bowl
Rubber spatula
Measuring cups and spoons

How to Make Strawberry Crunch Cake Step-by-Step

Let’s build this dreamy strawberry crunch cake, layer by layer!

Step 1: Crafting the Perfect Crust
1. Crush the whole package of Golden Oreos (filling included!) into fine crumbs. Use your food processor or put them in a zip-top bag and smash with a rolling pin.
2. Pour the crumbs into a bowl. Add the 6 tablespoons of melted butter. Mix well until it looks like wet sand.
3. Dump the mixture into your 9×13 pan. Press it down HARD and evenly with your fingers or the bottom of a cup.
4. Pop the crust into the fridge to chill for at least 30 minutes. This makes it super sturdy!
Step 2: Making the Vibrant Strawberry Filling
1. While the crust chills, make the filling. Put the chopped strawberries, sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice (and Jell-O powder if using) into your saucepan.
2. Cook over medium heat, stirring often. Smash some berries with your spoon as you stir.
3. Bring it to a gentle bubble. Keep cooking and stirring for about 5 minutes, until it gets thick and glossy like jam.
4. Remove from heat and let it cool COMPLETELY. Pour it into a bowl and put it in the fridge to speed this up. Warm filling will melt your creamy layer!
Step 3: Whipping Up the Creamy Layer
1. In your large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with the powdered sugar and vanilla extract using your electric mixer. Beat until it’s super smooth (no lumps!).
2. Gently fold in the thawed Cool Whip (or homemade whipped cream) with a spatula. Fold means scoop from the bottom and turn over, don’t stir hard! Keep it light and fluffy.
Step 4: Assembling Your Dreamy Layers
1. Grab your chilled crust from the fridge.
2. Spread the creamy dreamy layer evenly over the crust. Smooth it out gently.
3. Carefully spoon the COOLED strawberry filling over the creamy layer. Spread it gently to cover.
Step 5: Creating the Magic Strawberry Crunch Topping
1. Wipe out your food processor or grab a clean bag. Crush the 10 Golden Oreos and the bag of freeze-dried strawberries together into coarse crumbs (you want some texture!).
2. Mix in the 2 tablespoons of melted butter (and Jell-O powder if using) until it’s crumbly.
Step 6: The Grand Finale (Chill!)
1. Sprinkle the strawberry crunch topping evenly over the strawberry filling layer. Cover every inch!
2. Cover the pan loosely with plastic wrap or foil.
3. Refrigerate your strawberry crunch cake for AT LEAST 4 hours. Overnight is BEST! This lets all the magic happen and makes it easy to slice.

Pro Tips for the Best Strawberry Crunch Cake Ever

Make your strawberry crunch cake perfect every time!

Cream Cheese MUST Be Soft: Take it out of the fridge 1-2 hours ahead. Room temp cream cheese blends smooth, no lumps!
Filling MUST Be Cool: Seriously, warm filling = melty mess. Cool it completely in the fridge.
Chill the Crust: This gives it a solid base. Don’t skip the 30-minute fridge time!
Freeze-Dried Strawberries Are Key: They add intense strawberry flavor and stay super crunchy. Fresh berries in the topping will get soggy.
Patience is Delicious: Letting it chill overnight makes the flavors blend and gives you super clean slices.
Mix It Up!
- Try vanilla wafers or graham crackers for the crust.
- Add 1/2 cup white chocolate chips to the creamy layer.
- Use raspberries or blueberries for a different fruit twist!

Serving & Storing Your Masterpiece

Serving: Slice it cold straight from the fridge! Add a dollop of fresh whipped cream and some sliced fresh strawberries on top for extra wow.
Storing: Keep it covered tightly in the fridge. It stays delicious for 3-4 days.
Freezing: Freeze whole or in slices! Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then foil. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving. The crunch topping might soften slightly but still tastes great!

Strawberry Crunch Cake FAQ (Your Questions Answered!)

Q: Can I use fresh strawberries in the topping?
A: We don’t recommend it. Fresh berries release moisture and make the topping soggy. Freeze-dried strawberries are essential for that signature strawberry crunch cake texture!
Q: Can I make this cake ahead of time?
A: Absolutely! That’s the best part. Make it 1-2 days ahead and let it chill overnight. The flavors get even better!
Q: Can I use homemade whipped cream?
A: Yes! Whip 2 cups of heavy cream with 1/4 cup powdered sugar until stiff peaks form. Fold it into the cream cheese mixture just like Cool Whip.
Q: My filling is runny, what happened?
A: It might not have cooked long enough to thicken, or it wasn’t cooled completely before adding. Make sure it bubbles for the full 5 minutes and feels thick like jam. Chill it well!
Q: Can I use a different pan size?
A: A 9×13 pan is perfect. An 8×8 pan will make a thicker cake but you might have a little extra filling/crunch. Adjust baking times aren’t needed since it’s no-bake!

Time to Make Your Dream Dessert!

See? Making this show-stopping strawberry crunch cake is way easier than it looks! With simple steps and a little patience for chilling, you can create a dessert that looks incredible and tastes like pure summer joy. That perfect mix of creamy, fruity, and crunchy in every bite is totally worth it. Your friends and family are going to beg you for the recipe. So grab those Golden Oreos and strawberries, and let’s make this 3-layer dream a delicious reality! Ready to wow everyone? Get baking (well, chilling!) today and share your gorgeous strawberry crunch cake creations with us!