Strawberry Lemon Crunch Cake Recipe

Strawberry Lemon Crunch Cake is a vibrant, fruity dessert that combines the tartness of lemon with the sweetness of strawberries, all wrapped in a crunchy, buttery topping. This cake is layered with moist strawberry and vanilla cake, filled with a luscious strawberry puree, and finished with a delightful crunch coating made from cookies and freeze-dried strawberries. It’s a nostalgic treat reminiscent of strawberry shortcake ice cream bars, making it perfect for summer gatherings or celebrations.

Ingredients:

For the Cake Layers:
  • 1 box Duncan Hines Strawberry Supreme Cake Mix
  • 1 box Duncan Hines French Vanilla Cake Mix
  • 2 ⅓ cups water
  • 8 eggs
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 2 teaspoons almond flavoring
  • ½ cup fresh strawberries, diced
  • ¼ cup cake flour
For the Strawberry Puree:
  • 2 cups fresh strawberries, diced
  • 2 ⅓ cups sugar
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • ¼ cup water
For the Frosting:
  • 3 cups whipping cream
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup prepared and cooled strawberry puree
For the Crunch Topping:
  • 1 package Strawberry Shortcake Oreos
  • 1 package Lorna Doone Cookies
  • ½ cup melted butter
  • 1 cup freeze-dried strawberries
For Garnish:
  • 8 fresh strawberries, whole
  • 1 cup Ghirardelli White Chocolate Melts

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the Cake Layers:
  • Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C).
  • Spray four 8-inch cake pans with nonstick spray and line with parchment paper.
  • In a mixing bowl, combine the Strawberry Cake Mix, eggs, oil, water, cream cheese, and almond flavoring.
  • Beat on medium speed until combined, scrape the sides of the bowl, and beat for another minute.
  • Toss the diced strawberries with cake flour and fold them into the batter.
  • Pour the batter into two cake pans and tap on the counter to remove air bubbles.
  • Bake for 25-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  • Repeat the process for the French Vanilla Cake Mix and bake the remaining two layers.
  • Cool the cakes on wire racks for 10 minutes, then turn them out onto parchment paper to cool completely.
  1. Prepare the Strawberry Puree:
  • In a saucepan, combine strawberries, sugar, lemon juice, and water.
  • Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and let cool completely in the refrigerator.
  • Blend the cooled mixture until smooth and store in the fridge.
  1. Make the Frosting:
  • In a mixing bowl, beat whipping cream until stiff peaks form.
  • Add sugar, cream cheese, vanilla extract, and strawberry puree, beating until just combined.
  • Reserve ⅔ cup frosting for decorating the dipped strawberries.
  1. Prepare the Crunch Topping:
  • In a food processor, pulse Strawberry Shortcake Oreos and Lorna Doone Cookies until fine crumbs form.
  • Add freeze-dried strawberries and pulse again.
  • Stream in melted butter and mix until combined.
  1. Assemble the Cake:
  • Place one strawberry cake layer on a serving plate.
  • Spread a layer of frosting and strawberry puree over the top.
  • Add a vanilla cake layer, followed by frosting and puree.
  • Repeat with the remaining layers.
  • Frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining frosting.
  • Press the Strawberry Crunch Topping onto the sides and top of the cake.
  1. Prepare the Garnish:
  • Melt Ghirardelli White Chocolate in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds.
  • Dip fresh strawberries into the melted chocolate, then roll in reserved crunch topping.
  • Let dry on parchment paper.
  1. Decorate and Serve:
  • Pipe frosting stars on top of the cake and place each dipped strawberry on top.
  • Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

Tips for the Best Strawberry Lemon Crunch Cake:

  • Use fresh strawberries for the best flavor.
  • Freeze-dried strawberries add an intense strawberry taste to the crunch topping.
  • Chill the cake before serving to enhance the flavors.
  • Experiment with flavors by adding lemon zest to the frosting.

This cake is a nostalgic, fruity delight that brings together the best of strawberry shortcake and lemony freshness. You can find more details here. Happy baking! 🍓🍋✨

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