Ingredients
Scale
FOR THE COOKIE CRUMB LAYER
- 36 vanilla sandwich cookies coarsely crushed
- 3 ounce box strawberry gelatin mix
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 5 to 6 drops red food color gel
FOR THE STRAWBERRY CAKE LAYERS
- 16.5 ounce box Strawberry Supreme cake mix
- 3 large eggs room temperature
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted (1 stick)
- 1 cup whole milk
- 3 ounce box strawberry gelatin mix
FOR THE CHEESECAKE LAYER
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 16 ounce package cream cheese softened
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs room temperature
FOR THE FROSTING
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened (1 stick)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
-
Make the crunchy topping
- Crush the cookies into small crumbs and divide them into two bowls.
- Mix one bowl with dry strawberry gelatin.
- Add melted butter to both bowls (coloring the strawberry crumbs with red food gel).
- Spread onto a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 10 minutes. Let cool completely.
-
Bake the strawberry cake layers
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease two 9-inch cake pans.
- Mix the cake batter using cake mix, eggs, melted butter, milk, and strawberry gelatin.
- Divide evenly between the pans and bake for 24–28 minutes. Let them cool completely.
-
Prepare the cheesecake layer
- Lower the oven to 325°F.
- Mix cream cheese, sugar, cornstarch, vanilla, and heavy cream until smooth.
- Beat in eggs one at a time.
- Pour into a greased springform pan and bake for 40 minutes.
- Turn off the oven and let it sit inside for 20 more minutes.
- Cool completely, then freeze for an hour.
-
Make the frosting
- Beat together cream cheese, butter, and heavy cream until smooth.
- Add vanilla and powdered sugar, beating until fluffy.
-
Assemble the cake
- Place one strawberry cake layer on a serving plate.
- Spread a thin layer of frosting on top.
- Add the cheesecake layer (carefully removing it from the pan).
- Spread another thin layer of frosting.
- Add the second strawberry cake layer on top.
-
Frost and decorate
- Cover the entire cake with frosting.
- Press the crunchy cookie topping onto the sides and top.
- Chill for at least an hour before serving for the best texture.
Notes
How to serve and make it look amazing
To serve, slice with a warm knife for clean cuts. Add fresh strawberries on top for extra flair. A drizzle of white chocolate or a dusting of powdered sugar takes it up another notch. Serve on a pretty cake stand for that “wow” factor.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert