Description
A showstopping layered cake that combines a fluffy cake base, a rich and velvety cream cheese filling, fresh sweet strawberries, and a buttery, cinnamon-spiced graham cracker crunch topping! Perfect for birthdays, summer gatherings, or special celebrations.
Ingredients
For the Cake Base:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 tbsp (3 tsp) baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup whole milk
3 large eggs, room temperature
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
For the Cheesecake Layer:
16 oz (2 blocks) cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup sour cream
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
For the Strawberry Topping:
2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
For the Crunch Topping:
1 1/2 cups crushed graham crackers (or vanilla wafer crumbs)
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
Instructions
Prep Equipment: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Make Cake Batter: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the softened butter, milk, 3 eggs, and 1 tsp vanilla extract. Beat until smooth and free of lumps.
Make Cheesecake Layer: In a separate mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, sour cream, 2 eggs, 1 tbsp lemon juice, and 1 tsp vanilla extract until creamy and smooth.
Layer the Batter: Spread half of the cake batter into the bottom of the prepared 9×13-inch dish. Spoon the cheesecake mixture evenly over the top, then carefully spread the remaining cake batter over the cheesecake layer.
Bake & Cool: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 40–45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake portion comes out clean. Remove from the oven and cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
Make Crunch Topping: In a bowl, toss the crushed graham crackers, melted butter, 1/4 cup sugar, and optional cinnamon until small crumbs form. Spread on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 6–8 minutes until golden and fragrant; let cool.
Assemble & Serve: Toss sliced strawberries with 1/2 cup sugar and 1 tbsp lemon juice. Top the cooled cake with fresh strawberries and sprinkle generously with the toasted graham cracker crunch topping before serving.
Notes
Room Temp Ingredients: Ensure cream cheese, eggs, and milk are at room temperature to ensure smooth batter without lumps.
Frozen Strawberry Alternative: If using frozen strawberries, thaw and drain them thoroughly before tossing with sugar to avoid extra liquid.
Gluten-Free Swap: Substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend and use gluten-free graham crackers.
Storage: Cover tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For long-term storage, wrap individual slices without fresh fruit toppings and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 45
- Category: Dessert / Layer Cake / Cheesecake
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12th of cake)
- Calories: 490 kcal
- Sugar: 42 g
- Sodium: 290 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 58 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg
Keywords: strawberry cheesecake crunch cake, strawberry crunch cake, cheesecake cake recipe, layered strawberry dessert, graham cracker crunch cake
