The Best Kind of Poking
Poking holes in a cake feels a little naughty. You just baked this beautiful thing. Then you stab it with a stick.
But trust me, it is the secret. Those little holes let the sweet strawberry milk soak deep inside. Every single bite becomes soft and dreamy. It reminds me to let good things sink in, too.
A Sweet Story
I first had this cake at my granddaughter’s birthday. She picked it because it was pink. One bite and I knew I needed the recipe.
Her mom wrote it down for me on a napkin. I still have that stained napkin in my recipe box. It makes me smile every time. What is a recipe you love from a friend?
Making the Magic Crunch
Now for the fun part. You get to crush the cookies. Put them in a bag and roll a pin over them. It is a great way to end a long day.
You mix the crumbs with butter and strawberry powder. This makes the famous crunch on top. *Fun fact: Golden Oreos are vanilla, not chocolate!* Their buttery flavor is perfect with strawberry.
Why We Wait
The hardest step is next. You must put the cake in the fridge. You have to wait for over an hour. I know, it is tough.
But this wait matters. It lets the cake drink up all that milky goodness. Good things take time. The flavor becomes so much richer. Do you find it hard to wait for treats?
Your Turn to Create
When you take it out, the cake is transformed. Spreading the Cool Whip is like putting a fluffy blanket on it. Then you add that crunchy, pink topping.
This is your masterpiece. You made it with your own hands. That is a wonderful feeling. What is your favorite dessert to make for people you love?
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| white sheet cake | 1 | baked in a 9×13 dish |
| evaporated milk | 12 ounces | |
| strawberry jello | 3 ounces | divided in half |
| sweetened condensed milk | 14 ounces | |
| whole milk | 1/2 cup | |
| Cool Whip or frozen whipped topping | 8 ounce | thawed (plus more for garnish) |
| golden Oreos | 25 (about 1 package) | |
| salted butter | 1/4 cup | melted |
| Fresh strawberries | for optional garnish |
Strawberry Crunch Delight: A Sweet, Crunchy Dream
Hello, my dear! Let’s make a dessert my grandkids always beg for. It’s called Strawberry Crunch Delight. It reminds me of those strawberry shortcake ice cream bars from my childhood. But this one is even better because we make it together. Doesn’t that sound like fun? The cake gets so soft and the top is wonderfully crunchy. I just know you’re going to love it.
Ingredients
- 1 box (15.25 oz) white cake mix (plus ingredients listed on the box: typically eggs, oil, and water)
- 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
- 1 box (3 oz) strawberry Jell-O, divided
- 1 container (8 oz) Cool Whip, thawed
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 package (approx. 20 cookies) Golden Oreos
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- Fresh strawberries for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: First, bake your white sheet cake. Just follow the simple directions on the box. Let the cake cool completely in its pan. A warm cake will melt our lovely toppings later. I still laugh at the time I was too impatient. Let’s just say it turned into a delicious pudding!
Step 2: Now, let’s make our special strawberry milk. Gently heat the evaporated milk in a small pot. Whisk in half of the strawberry jello powder. Keep stirring until all the pink powder disappears. Then set it aside to cool down. (Hard-learned tip: If the milk is too hot, it will melt the Cool Whip later. Patience is a cook’s best friend!)
Step 3: Pour the sweetened condensed milk and whole milk into your cooled strawberry milk. Whisk it all together until it’s one happy, pink family. See how smooth it looks? This is the magic that will soak into our cake.
Step 4: Take a skewer and poke little holes all over the cooled cake. Don’t be shy! Poke lots and lots of holes. This helps our strawberry milk soak deep into every bite. It’s my favorite part. It feels like you are giving the cake a little acupuncture treatment.
Step 5: Slowly spoon the strawberry milk all over the cake. Try to cover every single inch. The cake will drink it up like a sponge. Now, cover the pan with plastic wrap. Let it take a long nap in the fridge for at least an hour. What do you think happens if we skip this chill time? Share below!
Step 6: After its nap, spread the thawed Cool Whip over the top. Be gentle so you don’t mix the cake and topping. A nice, fluffy white blanket for our dessert. Doesn’t that look pretty already?
Step 7: Time for the crunch! Put the golden Oreos in a plastic bag. Crush them with a rolling pin. You can make the crumbs as big or as small as you like. I like a mix for extra texture. It’s a great way to get out any little frustrations, too!
Step 8: Put the crumbs in a bowl. Pour the melted butter over them. Then sprinkle the rest of the strawberry jello powder on top. Mix it all with a fork. See how it turns a pretty, speckled pink? It smells amazing, like strawberries and cookies.
Step 9: Sprinkle this crunchy mixture over the Cool Whip. Gently press it down to make a flat top. Now it’s ready for one more quick chill in the fridge. Just until the topping sets, about 30 minutes.
Step 10: Finally, slice your masterpiece into squares. I like to add a tiny dollop of Cool Whip and half a fresh strawberry on top. It makes it look so special. Then, just try to resist eating two pieces. I dare you!
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes
Yield: 12 servings
Category: Dessert
Make It Your Own!
This recipe is like a good friend. It’s happy to change things up! Here are a few fun twists we can try. They are all so simple and delicious.
Lemon Sunshine: Use lemon jello and lemon cake mix. It’s like a burst of summer in every bite.
Chocolate Berry: Use a chocolate cake base. The chocolate and strawberry combo is a classic for a reason.
Cookie Swap: Try using regular chocolate Oreos instead of golden ones. It gives a deeper, richer crunch.
Which one would you try first? Comment below!
Serving with a Smile
This dessert is a star all on its own. But I love making a meal feel extra special. For a real treat, serve it with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream. The warm cake and cold ice cream are perfect together. You could also add a few extra fresh strawberry slices on the side for a pop of color.
What should we drink with it? A tall, cold glass of milk is always my first choice. It just goes with sweets. For the grown-ups, a little glass of pink Moscato wine pairs beautifully. It echoes the strawberry flavor so nicely. Which would you choose tonight?
Keeping Your Delight Fresh
This dessert is best kept in the fridge. Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap. It will stay delicious for up to three days. You can also freeze it for a month. Just wrap individual slices well.
I once sent a whole pan to a family party. My grandson saved a slice for the next day. He said it was just as good. That is the magic of a good soak.
Batch cooking saves you time on busy days. It means a sweet treat is always ready for you. This matters because everyone deserves a little joy.
Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!
Fixing Common Kitchen Hiccups
Is your cake too warm for the milk? It will make a soggy mess. Always let the cake cool completely first. I remember rushing this step once. The cake fell apart and I was so sad.
Are your cookie crumbs too big? Use a rolling pin on a plastic bag. Press hard to make fine, even crumbs. This matters for a perfect crunchy top.
Is the milk mixture not soaking in? Poke more holes with your skewer. Do not be shy. This helps every bite taste amazing. Fixing small problems builds your cooking confidence.
Which of these problems have you run into before?
Your Quick Questions Answered
Q: Can I make this gluten-free? A: Yes! Use a gluten-free cake mix and cookies.
Q: How far ahead can I make it? A: You can make it a full day before serving.
Q: What can I use instead of Cool Whip? A: Freshly whipped cream is a lovely swap.
Q: Can I double the recipe? A: For a bigger crowd, simply use two pans.
Q: Is the fresh strawberry garnish needed? A: No, but it makes it look extra special. Fun fact: Strawberries are the only fruit with seeds on the outside!
Which tip will you try first?
From My Kitchen to Yours
I hope this recipe brings a smile to your table. It is a favorite in my family. I love sharing these stories with you all.
It would make my day to see your creation. Please share a picture of your Strawberry Crunch Delight.
Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest!
Happy cooking!
—Lena Morales.
Strawberry Crunch Delight: A sweet, crunchy dream.:
Description
Indulge in this easy Strawberry Crunch Delight recipe! A no-bake dessert with a creamy filling and golden, buttery crunch topping. A sweet, stunning treat.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F or as directed on the cake mix package instructions. Mix and bake the cake in a 9×13-inch glass baking dish according to the instructions. Cool cake completely.
- Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, heat evaporated milk over medium. Whisk in half of the package of strawberry gelatin powder, stirring and heating until the gelatin is dissolved. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.
- Add the sweetened condensed milk and whole milk to the cooled evaporated milk mixture. Whisk until fully combined.
- Use a bamboo skewer to poke small, evenly spaced holes all over the cooled cake.
- Spoon the strawberry milk mixture over the cake, being sure to coat the cake evenly. Cover with plastic wrap and place the cake in the refrigerator to soak up the milk mixture for at least 1 hour.
- Gently spread the Cool Whip over the top of the cake.
- Place golden Oreos in a plastic bag and crush them into crumbs using a rolling pin.
- Transfer the crushed cookies to a medium bowl. Pour melted butter over the cookie crumbs and sprinkle with the remaining half package of strawberry gelatin powder. Stir to combine.
- Sprinkle the cookie mixture over the Cool Whip on the cake. Press down as needed to make a smooth, flat top.
- Slice the cake into individual servings. Serve with a dollop of Cool Whip (or whipped cream) and a fresh strawberry half.
Notes
- For the best texture, ensure the cake is completely cool before adding the milk mixture. Chill thoroughly before serving.
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