Strawberry Crunch Cake

Strawberry Crunch Cake

Introduction:

The Strawberry Crunch Cake is a vibrant and delicious dessert that perfectly captures the essence of strawberries in a delightful and crunchy form.

This cake is not only stunning to look at but also incredibly easy to make, thanks to the use of boxed cake mixes.

The cake layers consist of both vanilla and strawberry flavors, which are complemented by a creamy buttercream frosting.

The highlight of this cake is its outer coating, made from crushed freeze-dried strawberries and Nilla wafers, giving it a satisfying crunch that contrasts beautifully with the soft and tender cake.

Ideal for special occasions, this cake is sure to impress with its taste and presentation.

Ingredients:

For the Cake:

1 box vanilla cake mix, plus ingredients required to bake it

1 box strawberry cake mix, plus ingredients required to bake it

For the Frosting:

1 1⁄2 cups unsalted butter, softened

6 cups powdered sugar, divided

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

6 tablespoons heavy cream, divided

For the Strawberry Crunch:

1 cup freeze-dried strawberries

1⁄2 box Nilla wafers, crushed

3 tablespoons melted butter

For Garnish:

Fresh strawberries (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line four 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper and grease them with oil, butter, or cooking spray.

2. Prepare the Cake Batter:

Prepare the vanilla and strawberry cake batters according to the package instructions. Pour the batters evenly into the cake pans, creating two vanilla cakes and two strawberry cakes.

3. Bake the Cakes:

Bake the cakes according to the package instructions. Once done, allow the cakes to cool in the pans for about 10 minutes before flipping them onto wire racks to cool completely.

4. Prepare the Frosting:

While the cakes are cooling, start on the buttercream frosting. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and half of the powdered sugar with an electric mixer at medium speed until smooth and lump-free.

Gradually add the remaining powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and 4 tablespoons of heavy cream. Continue beating until the frosting is fluffy and spreadable. If the frosting is too stiff, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of cream.

5. Prepare the Strawberry Crunch:

Place the freeze-dried strawberries and crushed Nilla wafers in a large resealable plastic bag. Remove excess air from the bag and seal it. Use a rolling pin to crush the mixture finely.

Add the melted butter to the bag and gently massage it to ensure the crushed strawberries and wafers are evenly coated.

6. Assemble the Cake:

To assemble the cake, place a small dollop of frosting on the center of a cake plate. This will help hold the first cake layer in place.

Place the first strawberry cake layer on the plate, then spread a layer of frosting on top. Add a vanilla cake layer and frost it as well. Repeat the process with the remaining strawberry and vanilla cakes, ensuring each layer is evenly frosted.

Once the layers are assembled, frost the top and sides of the entire cake with the remaining buttercream.

7. Coat the Cake:

After frosting the cake, coat it with the strawberry crunch mixture. Gently press the mixture onto the sides and top of the cake, ensuring it adheres to the frosting.

8. Garnish and Serve:

For an extra touch, garnish the top of the cake with fresh strawberries. Refrigerate the cake until you’re ready to serve. Slice and enjoy!

Conclusion:

The Strawberry Crunch Cake is an eye-catching and flavorful dessert that combines the sweetness of vanilla and strawberry cake with a delightful crunchy exterior.

The freeze-dried strawberries and Nilla wafer coating add a burst of flavor and texture, making this cake a crowd-pleaser for any occasion.

Despite its impressive appearance, this cake is surprisingly easy to make, thanks to the use of boxed cake mixes.

Whether you’re celebrating a special event or simply want to enjoy a delicious homemade treat, this Strawberry Crunch Cake is sure to become a favorite.

Enjoy each bite of this vibrant and tasty creation!