Here’s a delicious recipe for Strawberry Shortcake Crunch Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting:
### Ingredients:
#### For the Cake:
– 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
– 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
– 4 large eggs
– 1 cup whole milk
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 1/2 cup strawberry puree (made from fresh or frozen strawberries)
#### For the Crunch Topping:
– 1 (3 oz) box strawberry-flavored gelatin (Jell-O)
– 1 (3 oz) box vanilla-flavored instant pudding mix
– 1 1/2 cups crushed vanilla sandwich cookies (like Golden Oreos)
– 1/4 cup melted butter
#### For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
– 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 8 oz cream cheese, softened
– 4 cups powdered sugar
– 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
### Instructions:
#### Prepare the Cake:
1. **Preheat Oven:**
– Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
– Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
2. **Mix Dry Ingredients:**
– In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. **Cream Butter and Sugar:**
– In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
– Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
– Mix in the vanilla extract.
4. **Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:**
– Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
– Gently fold in the strawberry puree.
5. **Bake the Cakes:**
– Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
– Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.
– Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
#### Prepare the Crunch Topping:
1. **Make the Crunch Mixture:**
– In a large bowl, combine the strawberry gelatin, vanilla pudding mix, and crushed vanilla sandwich cookies.
– Stir in the melted butter until the mixture is evenly coated and clumps together slightly. Set aside.
#### Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting:
1. **Cream Butter and Cream Cheese:**
– In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese together until smooth and creamy.
2. **Add Powdered Sugar and Vanilla:**
– Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition.
– Mix in the vanilla extract until fully incorporated and the frosting is smooth.
#### Assemble the Cake:
1. **Frost the Cake:**
– Place one cake layer on a serving plate or cake stand.
– Spread a generous layer of cream cheese frosting on top.
– Place the second cake layer on top and frost the entire cake with the remaining cream cheese frosting.
2. **Add the Crunch Topping:**
– Gently press the strawberry shortcake crunch mixture onto the sides and top of the cake, covering it completely.
3. **Chill the Cake:**
– Refrigerate the cake for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the frosting to set and the flavors to meld.
Enjoy your Strawberry Shortcake Crunch Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting!