The Ultimate 3-Ingredient No-Bake Strawberry Crunch Topping (Strawberry Shortcake Crumble)

Prepare to elevate your favorite desserts with this incredibly easy, no-bake Strawberry Crunch Topping! Whether you’re making a show-stopping strawberry crunch cake, decadent cheesecake, or simply want to add a vibrant burst of flavor to ice cream, this recipe is a game-changer. Our Strawberry Shortcake Crumble relies on just three simple ingredients, with freeze-dried strawberries as the secret to its intense fruity taste and perfect crispy texture.

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This irresistible strawberry crunch topping is incredibly versatile! Try it on my Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake for an extra layer of texture and flavor, or sprinkle it generously on my No-Churn Strawberry Ice Cream. It also makes a fantastic addition between the layers of my Vanilla Cake with Strawberries, adding a delightful crunch that will have everyone asking for more!

Experience the Magic of Homemade Strawberry Crunch

If you’ve ever enjoyed those nostalgic strawberry shortcake ice cream bars, you already have a hint of how utterly delicious this homemade strawberry crunch topping is. It perfectly captures that iconic fruity, crispy coating you know and love from the outside of those classic frozen treats! With its bright, bold strawberry flavor combined with rich, buttery vanilla crumbs, this crumble is designed to pair perfectly with almost any dessert you can imagine. And if you’re anything like me, you’ll be tempted to grab a spoon and enjoy it straight from the bowl!

Forget store-bought crumbles that often lack the authentic flavor and satisfying crunch. Making your own strawberry shortcake crumble at home means you control the quality of ingredients, resulting in a fresher, more flavorful, and truly irresistible topping. Plus, it’s so incredibly simple and quick to prepare, you’ll wonder why you haven’t been making it all along. It’s the perfect way to add a gourmet touch to everyday desserts or make special occasions even more memorable.

Why This Easy Strawberry Shortcake Crumble is a Must-Make

This strawberry shortcake crumb topping is not only a no-bake wonder, but it also requires a mere three ingredients! Its simplicity means it couldn’t be easier or quicker to make, transforming it into a staple in your dessert arsenal. You’ll find yourself reaching for this recipe again and again to add that special touch to all your sweet creations.

One of the greatest advantages of this crunchy crumble is that it doesn’t rely on fresh strawberries. This means you don’t have to worry about whether it’s strawberry season or the quality of fresh fruit available. By using freeze-dried strawberries, you unlock an intense, consistent strawberry flavor that’s available year-round. This method ensures the perfect balance of strawberry essence and a delightfully crispy texture, making it my absolute favorite way to enhance any strawberry-themed dessert. If you’re a true strawberry lover, you absolutely must also try my Strawberry Blueberry Pie for another fruity delight!

What Are Strawberry Crunchies Made Of? The 3 Simple Ingredients

The magic of this strawberry crunch topping, also known as strawberry shortcake crumble, lies in its simplicity. It’s crafted from just three core ingredients that work together to create an explosion of flavor and texture:

• Freeze-Dried Strawberries: These are truly the secret ingredient behind the vibrant flavor and perfect texture of our strawberry crunch crumbles. Unlike fresh strawberries, freeze-dried fruit provides an incredibly intense strawberry flavor and a beautiful natural color without introducing excess moisture. This is crucial for achieving that signature crispy crunch that makes this topping so addictive. You’ll find them in the snack aisle or bulk foods section of most grocery stores, or readily available online. If you love baking with berries, you might also enjoy my Blackberry Coffee Cake!
• Golden Oreos: For the ideal buttery vanilla base, I highly recommend using a full 14-ounce package of Golden Oreos. These vanilla sandwich cookies provide the perfect sweetness and a delightful crumbly texture when crushed. If Golden Oreos aren’t available, any similar type of vanilla cream-filled sandwich cookie will work well as a substitute. A standard package typically contains about 36 cookies, providing plenty of volume for this recipe. And for more Oreo goodness, make sure to try my Oreo Pound Cake!
• Salted Butter: Melted butter is what binds these delicious strawberry shortcake crumbs together, giving them that rich, cohesive texture. Using salted butter is my preference as it helps to enhance and bring out the sweet flavors of the strawberries and cookies, creating a more balanced profile. However, if you only have unsalted butter on hand, simply add a few pinches of fine salt to the mixture along with the melted butter to achieve a similar taste.

That’s it! With these three easily accessible ingredients, you’re on your way to creating an incredible dessert topping that will impress everyone.

Strawberry Crunch Topping: Freeze-Dried Strawberries vs. Jello

While this recipe emphasizes the use of freeze-dried strawberries for their superior natural flavor and texture, some traditional versions of strawberry crunch topping use strawberry Jello mix. If you prefer, you can certainly replace the freeze-dried strawberries in this recipe with an equal amount of dry strawberry Jello powder. However, I personally advocate for the freeze-dried fruit because it imparts a more authentic, naturally sweet, and intense strawberry flavor. It also provides a better textural component without the slightly artificial taste that can sometimes come with Jello mix. Both methods can create a delicious topping, but for a truly gourmet and natural strawberry experience, freeze-dried is the way to go.

Essential Equipment for Making Strawberry Crunch

Making this no-bake strawberry crunch topping is incredibly simple, and you likely already have the necessary tools in your kitchen. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Food Processor: For the quickest and most consistent results, a food processor is your best friend. It makes crushing the cookies and strawberries effortless and ensures a uniform crumb size.
• Alternative (Manual Method): If you don’t have a food processor, don’t worry! You can still easily make this strawberry crunch topping using a gallon-size ziploc bag and a rolling pin. This method requires a little more elbow grease but is just as effective in achieving those perfect crumbs.
• Mixing Bowl (for manual method): You’ll need a medium-sized bowl to combine your crushed ingredients with the melted butter if you’re not using a food processor.
• Microwave-safe Bowl or Small Saucepan: For melting the butter.

Regardless of your equipment, the process is straightforward and yields fantastic results every time.

How to Make Strawberry Crunch Topping with Freeze-Dried Strawberries: Step-by-Step

Creating this irresistible strawberry crunch topping is incredibly simple and takes just minutes!

Using a Food Processor:

1. Combine Dry Ingredients: Begin by adding your freeze-dried strawberries and Golden Oreo cookies into the bowl of your food processor.
2. Pulse to Crumbs: Pulse the mixture a few times (typically 1-2 pulses) until the cookies and strawberries break down into coarse crumbs. You want a textured mix, not a fine powder, so be careful not to over-process.
3. Add Melted Butter: Pour in your melted butter over the crumbs.
4. Final Pulse: Pulse once or twice more until the butter is evenly distributed and the mixture begins to come together, achieving your desired crumb consistency. It should resemble wet sand and hold its shape slightly when squeezed.

Manual Method (Without a Food Processor):

1. Crush Dry Ingredients: Place the freeze-dried strawberries and Golden Oreo cookies into a gallon-size freezer bag. Seal the bag, removing as much air as possible.
2. Roll and Crush: Use a rolling pin (or the bottom of a sturdy glass) to crush the cookies and strawberries into coarse crumbs. Continue until you reach your desired texture.
3. Combine in a Bowl: Transfer both the crushed strawberries and cookies to a medium-sized mixing bowl.
4. Stir in Butter: Pour the melted butter over the crumbs and stir thoroughly with a spoon or spatula until all the crumbs are evenly coated and combined.

That’s all there is to it! For precise ingredient measurements and full detailed instructions, be sure to check out the printable recipe card located at the bottom of this post.

Storage Tips for Your Homemade Strawberry Shortcake Crunch

Once you’ve made your delicious strawberry shortcake crunch, proper storage is key to keeping it fresh and crispy for future use. This topping stores remarkably well, making it perfect for meal prepping desserts or having on hand for impromptu treats.

• Room Temperature: For immediate use or short-term storage, you can keep your strawberry shortcake crunch in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a few days, ensuring it stays dry and crisp.
• Refrigerator: To prolong its freshness, store the strawberry crunch in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. The cool environment helps maintain its texture and flavor.
• Freezer: For even longer storage, this homemade strawberry crunch freezes beautifully! Place it in a freezer-safe airtight container or a heavy-duty freezer bag. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. When ready to use, you can sprinkle it directly onto frozen desserts or let it thaw for a few minutes if using on a warmer dessert.

Always ensure the container is tightly sealed to prevent moisture from getting in, which could make the crunch soggy.

Tips and Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.)

More Easy No-Bake Recipes You’ll Love

• No-Bake Oreo Cheesecake
• Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
• Strawberry Banana Sorbet
• Cannoli Pie
• Rice Krispie Treats with Chocolate Chips

📖 Recipe