If the crumbly pink and white crumbs donât indicate ice cream truck nostalgia, then let us introduce you to the grown-up version of a classic warm-weather treat. The Good Humor bar, known for its crunchy exterior, deep-red strawberry interior, and fluffy vanilla border, turns into a massive layered cake in this impressive summer dessert. This recipe may seem intimidating, but weâve simplified the steps using a boxed cake mix. The best part of this dessert is slicing into it, revealing the stunning vanilla and strawberry layers. Ready for a bite of childhood nostalgia? Hereâs everything you need to know to make this dessert:
Ingredients
For the Cake
1 box vanilla cake mix, plus ingredients called for on box
1 box strawberry cake mix, plus ingredients called for on box
For the frosting
1 1/2 cups butter, softened
6 cups powdered sugar
2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
6 Tbsp. heavy cream
For the Strawberry Crunch
1 cup freeze-dried strawberries
1/2 box Nilla wafers, crushed
3 Tbsp. melted butter
fresh strawberries, for garnish
Directions
Step 1
Preheat oven to 350°. Line four 8â round cake pans with parchment paper and grease with cooking spray.
Step 2
Prepare each cake mix according to package instructions. Divide between prepared pans, making two vanilla cakes and two strawberry cakes. Bake according to package instructions. Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then invert onto wire racks to cool completely.
Step 3
Meanwhile, make the frosting: In a large bowl using a hand mixer, beat butter and about half of the powdered sugar until smooth. Add the remaining powdered sugar, vanilla and 4 tablespoons heavy cream and beat until fluffy. If the mixture is too stiff, add more heavy cream.
Step 4
Make the strawberry crunch: In a large Ziploc bag, crush freeze-dried strawberries and Nilla Wafers using a rolling pin. Add butter to bag and toss until the mixture is evenly combined.
Step 5
Place a dab of frosting on a cake plate (to keep cake in place) and place parchment strips on each side of the cake plate. Place down first strawberry cake and top with frosting, then top with first vanilla cake and frost. Repeat with the remaining strawberry and vanilla cakes. Frost sides, then cover the cake completely with strawberry crunch, pressing the mixtures all over the sides and top.
Step 6
Garnish the top of the cake with fresh strawberries, if desired, and serve.
