These Strawberry Shortcake Crunch Bars capture the nostalgic flavor of the strawberry shortcake ice cream bars from childhood, transformed into a chewy, creamy, and crunchy dessert bar you’ll want to make again and again.
If you loved those ice cream bars, this recipe will bring back happy memories while delivering a satisfying homemade twist. The bars feature a strawberry cookie base, a light whipped cream cheese layer that mimics ice cream, and a crunchy shortcake topping made with Golden Oreos and strawberry gelatin powder.
Strawberry Shortcake Crunch Bars
The base is simple: just the dry strawberry cake mix powder, melted butter, and an egg combined into a soft dough. Be careful not to prepare the cake mix according to the package directions—you only want the dry powder mixed with butter and egg. That combination yields a chewy, fudgy texture similar to a dense cookie or brownie.
The middle layer is a whipped cream cheese frosting made from softened cream cheese, heavy whipping cream, confectioners’ sugar, and vanilla extract. Whipping the cream to stiff peaks before folding in the cream cheese creates a light, creamy layer that recreates the ice cream-like texture.
The crunch topping is essential. Coarsely crushed Golden Oreos mixed with dry strawberry gelatin powder and melted butter creates a sweet, slightly fruity shortcake crumb. It adds the crunchy, nostalgic finish that defines the bars.
Once layered and chilled briefly, you’ll have a soft and chewy strawberry bar topped with a cool, creamy frosting and a buttery, crunchy shortcake topping. Serve chilled or at cool room temperature for best texture and flavor.
Recipe
These bars make a great dessert for gatherings, potlucks, or whenever you crave a nostalgic strawberry treat. Below is the full ingredient list and step-by-step instructions.
Ingredients
For the Bars:
- One box strawberry cake mix (dry powder only, any brand)
- 1/2 cup (8 Tbsp) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
For the Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 1/4 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
For the Shortcake Crunch Topping:
- 18–20 Golden Oreos, coarsely crushed (use whole cookies but avoid large chunks)
- 3 oz (1 small box / 85 g) strawberry gelatin powder (dry powder only)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
Prep Time: 30 mins — Cook Time: 25 mins — Total Time: 55 mins — Servings: 15
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 13×9″ light metal baking pan with foil or parchment, leaving an overhang for easy removal. Lightly spray the lined pan with cooking spray and set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the dry strawberry cake mix powder, melted butter, and egg. Stir with a rubber spatula until a soft dough forms. Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan using your hands to form a compact layer.
- Bake the crust for about 20–25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and cool completely in the pan.
- While the crust cools, make the frosting. In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the softened cream cheese until light and fluffy, about 1 minute. Transfer the beaten cream cheese to a smaller bowl and set aside.
- In the same stand mixer bowl, add the heavy whipping cream, confectioners’ sugar, and vanilla. Using the whisk attachment, whip the cream until stiff peaks form, about 5–7 minutes.
- Gently fold the whipped cream into the reserved cream cheese until no streaks remain. Take care to fold gently so the whipped cream retains its volume.
- Spread the whipped cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled strawberry crust. Refrigerate the pan while you prepare the topping.
- For the shortcake crunch topping, combine the coarsely crushed Golden Oreos, dry strawberry gelatin powder, and melted butter in a medium bowl. Stir until the crumbs are evenly coated and slightly clumped.
- Sprinkle the crumb mixture liberally over the frosted bars, using your hands to gently press it into the frosting so it adheres. Chill briefly if desired, then cut into bars and serve. Store leftovers in the refrigerator.
If the strawberry shortcake ice cream bars were a childhood favorite, these bars are a must-try. They combine chewy, creamy, and crunchy textures with classic strawberry flavor for a satisfying dessert everyone will recognize and enjoy.
Have a super sweet day!
xo, Hayley
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