The Best Strawberry Crunch Cake Recipe – Sugar Geek Show

Ingredients

• 1 box white cake mix (duncan hines)
• 5 ounces all purpose flour ((1 cup))
• 7 ounces granulated sugar ((1 cup))
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 9 ounces sour cream ((1 cup) room temperature)
• 4 ounces unsalted melted butter ((1/2 cup))
• 8 ounces milk ((1 cup) room temperature)
• 4 large egg whites (room temperature)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 ounces strawberry reduction (1/4 cup)
• 1 drop red food coloring (optional (for the strawberry layer))
• 1/2 teaspoon strawberry emulsion (optional (for the strawberry layer))
• 36 ounces fresh or frozen strawberries ((5 cups) thawed)
• 4 ounces granulated sugar ((1/2 cup))
• 2 teaspoons lemon zest
• 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 ounce freeze-dried strawberries ((1 cup))
• 8 ounces shortbread cookies ((2 1/2 cups))
• 1/2 teaspoon strawberry emulsion (or extract) (optional)
• 1/4 cup unsalted melted butter