Ingredients
Vanilla Cake Layers
2 cups all-purpose flour
1½ cups granulated sugar
2 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
2 large eggs
1 cup whole milk
½ cup unsalted butter, melted
2 tsp vanilla extract
Cheesecake Layer
8 oz cream cheese, softened
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp sour cream
Strawberry Filling
2 cups fresh strawberries, diced
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp cornstarch
1 tbsp water
Strawberry Crunch Topping
1½ cups vanilla sandwich cookies, crushed
½ cup freeze-dried strawberries, crushed
4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
Stabilized Whipped Cream
2 cups heavy whipping cream
¼ cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp instant vanilla pudding mix
Decoration
Fresh strawberries
Extra strawberry crunch topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Prepare an 8-inch springform pan.
- Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
- Add egg, vanilla, and sour cream.
- Pour into pan and bake 30-35 minutes.
- Cool gradually and refrigerate at least 4 hours.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease two 8-inch cake pans.
- Mix flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl whisk eggs, sugar, milk, butter, and vanilla.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients.
- Divide batter between pans.
- Bake 22-25 minutes.
- Cool completely.
- Combine strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice.
- Let stand 15 minutes.
- Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes.
- Add cornstarch slurry and cook until thickened.
- Cool completely.
- Mix cookies, freeze-dried strawberries, and melted butter.
- Bake 5 minutes at 300°F.
- Cool completely.
- Beat whipping cream to soft peaks.
- Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and pudding mix.
- Beat to stiff peaks.
- Place first cake layer on serving plate.
- Add whipped cream and half the strawberry filling.
- Add cheesecake layer.
- Add more whipped cream and remaining filling.
- Top with second cake layer.
- Apply crumb coat and chill 30 minutes.
- Frost cake completely.
- Press strawberry crunch around the sides and top.
- Decorate with fresh strawberries.
- Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving.
Notes
For the best bakery-style texture, chill overnight before serving.
Freeze-dried strawberries are essential for authentic strawberry crunch flavor.
Use room-temperature ingredients for smoother batter and cheesecake filling.
Do not overbake the cheesecake. The center should still jiggle slightly.
- Prep Time: 45 Minutes
- Cook Time: 60 Minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian