Dive into a world of decadent flavors and textures with the Strawberry Crunch Cake with Cheesecake, a dessert that promises to enchant your senses and elevate your baking repertoire.
This delight, boasting layers of airy cake, creamy cheesecake, and a crunchy topping, is more than a treat—a celebration on a plate. Let’s embark on this culinary journey together, where each slice is a testament to the joy of baking and the pleasure of indulgence.
Why This Cake Deserves Center Stage In Your Kitchen
Elevate your culinary canvas with the Strawberry Crunch Cake with Cheesecake, a masterpiece that merits the spotlight in your kitchen for its exquisite melding of tastes and textures. Here’s why this cake is not just a dessert but a celebration in every slice:
- A Symphony of Flavors: The combination of sweet strawberry, rich cheesecake, and a buttery crunch creates a multi-layered experience that’s hard to resist.
- Textural Wonderland: From the cake’s softness to the cheesecake’s smoothness and the crunch of the topping, this cake is a delight to the senses.
- Versatile Delight: Perfect for any occasion, from casual gatherings to grand celebrations, this cake is sure to impress.
Crafting Perfection: Ingredient By Ingredient
Creating the Strawberry Crunch Cake with Cheesecake is akin to painting a masterpiece, where each ingredient contributes its unique hue and texture. Here’s a detailed palette of the components you’ll need, each playing a crucial role in bringing this delightful dessert to life:
- Unsalted Butter (4 sticks): Provides a rich, creamy base for the icing, offering smoothness and flavor.
- Powdered Sugar (2 1/2 cups): Sweetens the icing and contributes to its silky texture.
- Vanilla Extract (1 tablespoon): Adding a subtle, aromatic flavor enhances the buttercream’s taste.
- Cream Cheese (16 oz): The main component that gives the cheesecake its creamy, tangy character.
- Cornstarch (1/4 cup): Stabilizes the cheesecake, helping it set without cracking.
- Heavy Cream (1/2 cup): Adds richness and a velvety texture to the cheesecake.
- Vanilla Extract (2 tablespoons): Infuses the cheesecake with a warm, classic flavor.
- Eggs (3): Bind the mixture, contributing to the cheesecake’s structure.
- Sugar (1 cup): Sweetens the cheesecake layer, balancing the tanginess of the cream cheese.
- Strawberry Box Cake Mix: A convenient and consistent strawberry-flavored base for the cake layers.
- Strawberry Jello (1 3oz pack, half used): Intensifies the strawberry flavor and enhances the cake’s color.
- All-Purpose Flour (1/2 cup): Adds structure to the cake, ensuring it’s stable and fluffy.
- Milk (1 cup): Contributes to the cake’s moistness and tender crumb.
- Vegetable Oil (1 cup): Ensures the cake layers are soft and moist.
- Eggs (3): Provide structure and richness to the cake batter.
- Flour: Serves as the foundation for the crumble topping, adding to its textural composition.
- Butter (1 stick, divided): Adds richness and helps bind the crumble mixture.
- Instant Vanilla Pudding (1 3oz pack): Offers a sweet, creamy flavor to the crumble.
- Strawberry Jello (1 3oz pack): Gives the crumble a vibrant strawberry flavor and color.
- Strawberries (1 pack): Used for decorating, they add freshness, color, and a burst of natural strawberry flavor to the finished cake.
Layer by Layer: Building Your Strawberry Crunch Masterpiece
Embark on a journey of creation with the Strawberry Crunch Cake, where each layer unfolds like a chapter in a delectable story. Let’s dive into the artful process of constructing this masterpiece, ensuring every tier contributes to a symphony of flavors and textures.
Step 1: Laying the Foundation: The Cheesecake Layer
- Blend the Base: Blend the cream cheese with granulated sugar, eggs, and a liberal dash of vanilla extract until it achieves a smooth and creamy consistency.
- Bake to Perfection: Pour the cheesecake batter into a prepared pan lined with parchment paper for easy removal. Bake in a preheated oven until the center is just set. To avoid cracks, consider placing a pan of water on the lower rack of the oven to create a moist environment.
- Chill and Set: Allow the cheesecake to cool to room temperature, then transfer it to the freezer. Freezing solidifies the cheesecake, making it sturdy enough to support the subsequent layers without being compressed.
Strawberry Cake
Step 2: Creating the Heart: Strawberry Cake Layers
- Mix and Bake: Prepare the strawberry cake mix according to the box instructions, adding half a pack of strawberry jello for an extra burst of flavor and a vibrant hue. Divide the batter into pans and bake until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Cooling Phase: Once baked, let the cake layers cool in their pans for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This ensures they’re completely cool and firm before assembly, preventing any potential squishing of the cheesecake layer.
Lightly shake the pans so that the strawberry mixture can settle in more.
Strawberry Crumble
Step 3: Adding Texture: The Crunchy Topping
- Craft the Crumble: Blend softened butter with flour and the remaining strawberry jello until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. This sweet and crunchy topping gives the cake its distinctive texture and name.
- Bake the Crunch: Distribute the crumble mix over a baking tray and cook until it turns a light golden shade. Let it cool, and then crumble it further if necessary. This crunchy topping will add a delightful contrast to the creamy layers.
Take your hands and mix until it becomes crumbly.
Once the 20 minutes have passed use your hands to break the strawberry crunch into crumbles.
Once the 20 minutes have passed use your hands to break the strawberry crunch into crumbles.
Step 4: The Final Ensemble: Layer and Decorate
- Begin the Build: Set the initial layer of the strawberry cake on your chosen serving dish or stand. This layer will serve as the sturdy base for your layered dessert.
- Cheesecake Centerpiece: Carefully place the frozen cheesecake layer on top of the first cake layer. The cheesecake’s frozen state ensures it doesn’t get squished and maintains its shape.
- Cap it with Cake: Top the cheesecake layer with the second strawberry cake layer, gently pressing to ensure the layers adhere.
- Frost and Embellish: Utilize an offset spatula to apply an even coating of buttercream icing over the cake. While the icing need not be thick, ensure it covers the cake completely to provide a base for the crumbles to stick.
- Crowning Crunch: Pat the strawberry crumbles over the top and sides of the cake, pressing them slightly into the buttercream to ensure they stick. This not only adds texture but also an eye-catching finish to the cake.
- Final Touches: Decorate the top with fresh strawberries for an extra splash of color and freshness, creating an inviting and festive look.
To the rotating cake tray, add your strawberry cake, then your cheesecake, and lastly, add the second strawberry cake.
Add your strawberry crunch mixture along with your strawberries on top.
Variations
The thing I love about this cake is how much variety this cake has. Here are a few ways you can spunk up this recipe.
Strawberry Oreo Crunch Pound Cake- You can add Oreos to this cake and also make it a pound cake. This will make for a beautiful presentation. Strawberry Oreo crunch cake isn’t to be taken lightly at any holiday event. It’s for sure gonna be a showstopper.
Strawberry Crunch Bundt Cake- You don’t have to make this a 3-layer cake. You can simply remove the crunch cake cheesecake and add the mixture into a Bundt cake pan. There you have it, an easy strawberry crunch cake!
No Cheesecake Strawberry Crunch Cake- You can choose to remove the cheesecake from this recipe and only have your homemade strawberry crunch cake recipe.
Golden Rules For A Perfect Strawberry Crunch Creation
Each tip is a step towards transforming your bake into a divine creation, ensuring every slice is perfect.
- Cheesecake Stability: Chill the cheesecake layer before assembling. A firm cheesecake layer acts as a solid base, preventing it from being compressed by the cake layers above.
- Uniform Crumble Texture: For consistent crumbles, either use a food processor for quick pulsing or a rolling pin for manual crushing. The goal is to get evenly sized pieces that provide the perfect crunch in every bite.
- Mixing Matters: When preparing the cheesecake batter, mix just until the ingredients are combined. Overbeating introduces air, leading to potential cracks or uneven rising.
- Ingredient Temperature: Ingredients blend more smoothly when at room temperature, contributing to a uniform batter and a more consistent bake.
- Parchment Paper: Lining your baking pans with parchment paper ensures the cake releases easily, maintaining its beautiful layers.
- Patience in Cooling: Allow the cake to cool completely before assembling and decorating. This patience pays off in easier handling and optimal texture.
Beyond the Cake: Complementing Your Masterpiece
Elevate your dessert spread with accompaniments that enhance the cake’s flavors:
Vanilla Ice Cream or Whipped Cream: It contrasts the cake’s textures with a creamy contrast.
Fresh Strawberries: While optional, it adds a fresh touch and a vibrant splash of color.
Refreshing Beverages: Pair with iced tea or sweet peach iced tea for a complete palate experience.
Preserving the Cake Delight
To keep your Strawberry Crunch Cake fresh, tightly wrap it in plastic and refrigerate for up to three days. Avoid freezing frosted cakes to preserve their texture and appearance, ensuring your cake remains as delightful as when first served.
Conclusion: A Culinary Creation That Captivates
The Strawberry Crunch Cake with Cheesecake is more than a sweet treat; it embodies the delight of baking and the enchantment of blending diverse flavors and textures.
Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a curious novice, this cake offers an opportunity to create something extraordinary. Collect your ingredients, dive into the baking journey, and prepare to delight both your palate and the palates of your cherished ones.
Happy baking!
Looking for a delicious dinner to have with this cake? Here are a few that I think you would love!
Well, until next time, folks.
Strawberry Crunch Cake with cheesecake (Easy)
Equipment
- Nonstick spray-Keep cakes from sticking
- (3) 9 inch Baking Dish-For baking cheesecake, and strawberry cakes.
- Parchment Paper-To add to the bottom of your cake pans and add your strawberry crumble onto.
- Toothpicks- To stick the cake with to see if it’s done. If the toothpick come back out wet it’s not done. If the toothpick comes back out dry, your cake is finished.
- Mixing Bowls- 2-3 mixing bowls.
- Rotating Cake Turntable- Allows you to decorate your cake properly.
- Icing Spatula-Smoothing buttercream over cake.
Ingredients
Buttercream icing
- 4 Sticks Unsalted butter
- 2 1/2 Cup Powdered sugar
- 1 Tablespoon Vanilla extract
Cheesecake
- 16 Oz Cream cheese
- 1/4 Cup Cornstarch
- 1/2 Cup Heavy cream
- 2 Tablespoons Vanilla extract
- 3 eggs
- 1- Cup Sugar
Strawberry Cake
- 1 Strawberry Box Cake White Cake Mix if strawberry is unavailable
- 1 3oz Pack strawberry jello Only Use Half
- 1/2 cup All-purpose flour
- 1 cup Milk
- 1 cup Vegetable Oil
- 3 eggs
- Crunch Cake Crumbles
- Flour
- Strawberry Jello
Strawberry Crumble
- 1/2 Stick Butter Softened Salted or Unsalted
- 1/2 Cup Flour
- 1 3oz Instant Vanilla Pudding
- 1/2 Stick Butter
- 1/2 Cup Flour
- 1 3oz Strawberry Jello
Miscellaneous
- 1 Pack Strawberries Optional, for decorating
Instructions
Butter Cream
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees
- To a mixing bowl add in butter and begin to mix for 5 minutes or until the butter resembles whipped cream.4 Sticks Unsalted butter
- Add in powder sugar and vanilla extract and mix until dissolve then sit to the side.2 1/2 Cup Powdered sugar, 2 Tablespoons Vanilla extract
Cheesecake
- To a bowl add in cream cheese along with cornstarch, heavy cream, vanilla extract, eggs, and sugar then mix well.1 Tablespoon Vanilla extract, 1/4 Cup Cornstarch, 1/2 Cup Heavy cream, 3 eggs, 1- Cup Sugar, 16 Oz Cream cheese
- Spray your baking dish with nonstick spray.
- Add the cheesecake mixture to a baking dish and allow to bake for 45 minutes. Once done remove from the oven and set in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
Strawberry Cake
- To a bowl add your cake mix, strawberry jello, all purpose flour, milk vegetable oil, and eggs. Mix well then separate them into your baking pan.1 Strawberry Box Cake, 1/2 cup All-purpose flour, 1 cup Milk, 1 cup Vegetable Oil, 3 eggs, 1 3oz Pack strawberry jello
- Lightly, shake the pans so that the strawberry mixture can settle in more.
- Place in the oven for 25 minutes or until the toothpick is dry. Allow cooling for 20 minutes.
Strawberry Crumble
- To a bowl, add butter, flour, and instant vanilla pudding.1/2 Stick Butter, 1 3oz Instant Vanilla Pudding, 1/2 Cup Flour
- Take your hands and mix until it becomes sand-like.
- To another bowl, add butter, strawberry jello, and flour. Mix with hands until sand-like.1/2 Cup Flour, 1/2 Stick Butter, 1 3oz Strawberry Jello
- Add a sheet of parchment paper onto a sheet pan, then add both of the crumble mixtures to the sheet.
- Place in the oven and allow to bake for 8 minutes. Sit to the side to cool for 20 minutes.
- Once the 20 minutes have pass use your hands to break the strawberry crunch into crumbles
Assemble cake
- Gently remove your 3 cakes from the pans and sit to the side onto parchment paper.
- To the rotating cake tray, add your strawberry cake, then your cheesecake, and lastly, add the second strawberry cake.
- Smooth on your buttercream until it reaches your desired look.
- Add your strawberry crunch mixture along with your strawberries on top.1 Pack Strawberries
- Enjoy!!
