This Strawberry Crunch Cake recipe is easy to make and a great way to enjoy the sweet strawberry flavor that we all know and love. Just like your favorite ice cream treat from when you were a kid, the sweet, moist cake and crunchy cookie topping make this treat truly unforgettable!
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Why you'll love this recipe
The strawberry crunch topping elevates this boxed cake mix into a delicious dessert that tastes just like your ice cream truck favorite. It's light, sweet, and delicious, and it's easy to make!
Ingredients/variations
Please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for the exact measurements.
- strawberry cake mix, yellow or white cake mix
- eggs
- vegetable oil
- Two 3-ounce packages of strawberry jello
- Cool Whip - of course, you can use whipped cream, but the cool whip is so much easier!
- Golden Oreo Cookies, in a pinch you can use vanilla wafers cookies, graham crackers or shortbread.
- butter
- fresh strawberries
If you prefer, a cream cheese frosting would be just as delicious!
Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. For complete directions, scroll down to the bottom!
- Place the cake mix in a large mixing bowl. Prepare as directed on the package. Pour the strawberry cake batter into a 9x13 cake pan sprayed with non-stick spray and bake.
- When the cake comes out of the oven, immediately poke holes all over the top of it, using either a skewer or the back end of a wooden spoon.
- Prepare one package of jello. Pour the boiling water into the jello and stir until it's dissolved. Immediately spoon the jello over the top of the warm cake. Refrigerate for at least four hours or overnight to set the jello.
- Place the cookies in a ziplock bag. Using a rolling pin to crush the cookies. Crush them well; you don't want any big chunks.
- Pour the golden oreos cookie crumbs into a medium-sized mixing bowl. Add the 2nd package of strawberry jello and melted butter. Lightly mix to combine the mix into a strawberry shortcake crumble.
- Remove the cooled cake from the refrigerator. Evenly spread cool whip over the whole cake.
- Sprinkle the strawberry shortcake crumbles over the top of the cake. Top with fresh strawberries. Serve and enjoy!
Equipment
- 9x13 cake pan
- wooden spoon or large skewer
- Ziploc bag and rolling pin
- saucepan
- medium bowl
- offset spatula or frosting tool
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FAQ's
Typically strawberry crunch cake topping is crushed shortbread, freeze-dried strawberries, and butter. We are making it even easier by using cookies, and strawberry gelatin to get the same flavor!
I don't recommend using round cake pans to make strawberry crunch poke cake like this one. The cake is too moist to be able to stand up on it's own.
You can use homemade buttercream frosting or even cream cheese frosting. However, I really like the Cool Whip because it's light and fluffy.
That's easy: scoop the batter into cupcake liners. Reduce cooking time to 15-18 minutes. Frost and top as directed.
No need to do that at all! Just crunch the cookies and mix with the jello and melted butter to make that amazing topping!
Top Tip
This can be made and frosted up to 2 days in advance. Just wait to put the crunchy topping on until the day you're planning to serve the cake.
- Make sure you use a 9x13 baking dish to make this delicious cake recipe.
- Instead of the rolling pin method, you could use a food processor to make the strawberry crumble topping.
- Add one teaspoon of vanilla extract to the cake batter to flavor this recipe.
Storage
Refrigerate - Cover leftover cake with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freeze - Freeze any leftovers in a freezer safe container for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
Related recipes
- This Strawberry Fudge recipe is a delicious dessert to make when you need something simple, yet tasty.
- Strawberry Shortcake is a great way to use up fresh strawberries during the height of strawberry season. Plus, it's not overly sweet, and it's refreshing making it perfect for a summer day.
- These Strawberry Sandwich Cookies are buttery, and filled with sweet strawberry jam filling. If you are in the market for a recipe that will wow your loved ones this is the recipe for you.
- If you're a chocolate lover, try the Better Than Sex Cake.
- The Coconut Tres Leches Cake is the most moist decadent cake!
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I have taken this to family potlucks and celebrations and it's always a hit! I can't wait to hear what YOU think when you try this recipe. Will you love it as much as we do? I hope so! Let me know below!!
Strawberry Poke Cake Recipe
Equipment
- 1 9x13 cake pan
Ingredients
- 1 strawberry cake mix, eggs and vegetable oil prepare according to package instructions
- 2 3 ounce packages of strawberry jello
- 1 cup boiling water
- 8 ounces cool whip
- 20 golden oreo cookies
- ¼ cup butter melted
- 20 fresh strawberries
Instructions
- Prepare the cake mix as directed on the package in a 9x13 cake pan.
- When the cake comes out of the oven immediately poke holes all over the top of it, using either a skewer or the back end a wooden spoon.
- Pour the boiling water into the jello and stir until it's dissolved. (One package of jello.) Immediately spoon the jello over the top of the warm cake. Refrigerate for at least four hours or overnight to set the jello.
- Place the cookies in a ziplock bag. Using rolling pin to crush the cookies. Crush them well, you don't want any big chunks.
- Pour the cookie crumbs into a medium-sized mixing bowl. Add the 2nd package of strawberry jello and melted butter. Lightly mix to combine the mix into a crumble.
- Remove the cooled cake from the refrigerator. Evenly spread cool whip over the top of the cake.
- Sprinkle the strawberry crumble mixture over the top of the cake. Top with fresh strawberries. Serve and enjoy!
Patty B says
I had my first bite of Strawberry Crunch Cake at a New Year's Eve party last night...delicious. Yours, was the recipe she used. I cannot wait to make this at home.
Debra Clark says
Awesome, glad it was a hit Patty! Enjoy the recipe, it's one of my favorites!!
Lois says
This just looks wonderful. I’m going to make it the first chance I have. Yum!!!!!!!
Melody says
Great timing, Deb -- it's the beginning of strawberry season in Florida (where I live). These juicy rays of strawberry goodness abound. Thank you so much for the recipe.
Debra Clark says
Oh wow, fresh strawberries sound amazing right now. It's going to be a bit before we see any here in Oregon. Enjoy the cake Melody!!