Strawberry Crunch Brownies

These stunning Strawberry Crunch Brownies are a layered delight full of fruity flavor, white chocolate, and sweet creaminess. They’re topped with an Oreo and strawberry-flavored crumble. Best of all, these brownie bars are so simple to make!

If you love strawberry ice cream crunch bars, you’ll adore this Strawberry Crunch Brownie recipe! All the flavors and textures are right here but in brownie bar form. They’re great for summer events, holidays, birthday parties, graduations, baby showers, and more. They’re even perfect for Valentine’s Day! There’s no wrong time to make them since they’re always a hit with kids and adults!

You can make them ahead and let them chill in the fridge until it’s time to slice and serve this delicious treat. You’ll appreciate the essential ingredients and the easy process to make these Strawberry Crunch Brownies.

Ingredients Needed

For The Brownie Layer
Strawberry Cake Mix – use your favorite brand.
Egg – to help hold the brownie batter together and give it texture as it bakes.
Salted Butter – melted to keep the brownie moist.
Heavy Cream – to help make the brownie batter. Whole milk or half and half work well as substitutes.
White Chocolate Chips – can be omitted or substituted for white chocolate chunks or regular chocolate chips if you want a chocolate component.
For The Frosting Layer
Cream Cheese – set it out to soften so it mixes without clumps.
Powdered Sugar – to sweeten the filling later.
Sour Cream – can be substituted with plain Greek yogurt.
Vanilla Extract – to add flavor to the filling.
Tub Of Whipped Topping – fold into the filling to make it light and fluffy.
For The Topping
Vanilla Sandwich Cookies – will be crushed for the crunchy topping.
Strawberry Syrup – to mix with the crushed cookies for flavor.
Fresh strawberries are an optional garnish for the top.

How To Make Strawberry Crunch Brownies

Note: This is a summary of the steps. For complete instructions, see the recipe card down below.

STEP 1: Make the brownies by mixing the cake mix, egg, melted butter, and heavy cream until combined. Fold the white chocolate chips, spread the mixture into an even layer in the prepared baking pan, and bake in a preheated 350-degree F oven for approximately 20 minutes. Remove and cool completely before adding the frosting layer.
STEP 2: Make the frosting layer by beating the cream cheese and powdered sugar with a hand or stand mixer until smooth and fluffy. Beat in the sour cream and vanilla until combined. Lastly, fold in the whipped topping. Spread the mixture over the top of the cooled brownies.
STEP 3: Make the strawberry crunch topping by processing the sandwich cookies into rough crumbs before adding the strawberry syrup. Pulse to combine and ensure the cookies are evenly coated and slightly pink.
STEP 4: Decorate the top of the brownies by sprinkling the strawberry crunch mixture over the top of the brownies. Cut into squares and serve or chill until ready to serve.

How Do I Make The Strawberry Crunch Topping?

• Food Processor Method: Add the sandwich cookies and process them into rough chunks. Once the cookies are processed, add the strawberry syrup and pulse until the cookies are evenly coated and slightly pink.
• Ziplock Bag Method: Place the sandwich cookies in a Ziploc bag and roughly crush them with a rolling pin or heavy bottle. Transfer to a bowl, add the strawberry syrup, and mix with a spoon until the cookie crumbs are coated.

What If I Have Leftover Strawberry Crunch Topping?

If you find leftover topping, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. To use it, I love to stir it into yogurt, add it to milkshakes or smoothies, and use it as a topping for ice cream. It’s also delightful and used as sprinkles for pancakes or waffles!

Where Do I Find Strawberry Syrup?

You can find strawberry syrup in your local grocery stores or purchase it online here and here.

Variations

• Cake Mix/Brownie Base: For a classic flavor pairing, you can make these Strawberry Crunch Brownies using a chocolate cake mix instead of strawberry. You can even use a white or yellow cake mix. Or, give it a citrus flavor profile using a lemon or orange cake mix. If you do that, omit the strawberry syrup when making the topping, and use the crushed cookie crumbs alone.
• Frosting layer: To punch up the flavor, you can use flavored yogurt (vanilla or strawberry) instead of sour cream. You can also mix fresh, chopped fruit for fresh flavor if desired.
• Topping: The topping can be made with any sandwich cookie, and the syrup can be strawberry, chocolate, or caramel. It can even be omitted, and the cookie crumbs crumbled on top instead. Finish this dessert with fresh fruit and a syrup drizzle to enhance the flavors.
• You will need the following ingredients ( I have also included substitutions below)
  1. Strawberry cake mix: You can substitute a white cake mix, but your brownies will not have as much strawberry flavor. I used the Duncan Hines brand of cake mix.
  2. Large egg
  3. Salted butter: Unsalted butter can be substituted with a pinch of salt for flavor.
  4. Heavy cream: Whole milk or half and half work well as substitutes.
  5. White chocolate chips: If you want a chocolate component, you can omit them or substitute them for white chocolate chunks or regular chocolate chips.
  6. Cream cheese
  7. Powdered sugar: Granulated white sugar can be used instead. However, you’ll only need about 3 Tablespoons of it, and it may not incorporate quite as smoothly with the cream cheese.
  8. Sour cream: Plain Greek yogurt is a good substitute when needed.
  9. Vanilla extract
  10. Whipped topping: I used store-bought whipped topping for ease and convenience; however, homemade whipped topping works just as well.
  11. Vanilla sandwich cookies: I used about half of a party-sized package of Great Value brand vanilla sandwich cookies. Golden Oreos will also work.
  12. Strawberry syrup
      

Storage

Due to the dairy content in the frosting layer, strawberry crunch brownies should be stored in the refrigerator and covered. They will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can freeze them in an airtight freezer-safe container for 2-3 months. Thaw in the fridge before serving.

More Scrumptious Strawberry Recipes

Strawberry Icebox Cake
Strawberry Margarita Pie
Strawberry Cheesecake Croissant Bites
Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberry Cookies
Key Lime Strawberry Cheesecake Cake
Valentine’s Crispy Strawberry Chocolate Bark

Nettie is a wife and mother who is passionate about cooking and baking. With 5 children, Nettie insists that all meals, snacks, and desserts come together quickly! You will find many easy yet scrumptious recipes on her viral website, Moore or Less Cooking.

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