• Preheat oven to 350.
• Add half of the bag of freeze-dried strawberries to the bowl of your food processor. Pulse 10 times to break up the strawberries. **If you do not have a food processor, you can add the strawberries to a zip bag and crush them using a rolling pin or a glass by rolling over the strawberries with gentle pressure. Set aside.
• Grease a 13x9 baking pan using baking spray or butter and flour for dusting. You can also line the bottom of your 13x9 pan with a piece of parchment paper.
• Prepare the cake mix according to package directions for oil, water, and eggs. Stir to combine.
• Once the ingredients are fully mixed together, add in the crushed half of the strawberries. Using a spatula, fold them in so they are incorporated throughout.
• Pour the prepared batter into the greased 13x9 baking pan.
• Bake your cake at 350 degrees F (177 degrees C) for 34-38 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean in the center.
• Once baked, place the pan on a cooling rack and allow the cake to cool completely for about 2 hours.
• Add the remaining freeze-dried strawberries to your food processor and add the shortbread cookies. Pulse 8-10 times or until the mixture resembles crumbs. Set aside. **Do not over-process this mixture, you want the mixture to be crunchy.

Frosting

• In the bowl of your electric mixer add the butter. Using a whisk attachment, beat the butter until softened. About 1 minute (if the butter is not at room temperature).
• Add the salt and vanilla extract and mix until incorporated.
• Slowly add in the powdered sugar about ½ cup at a time. Beat on medium-low speed, scraping down the sides making sure to incorporate the butter and sugar. Then increase the speed to medium until all of the powdered sugar has been incorporated. Add 1-2 tablespoons of milk if the frosting becomes too thick.
• Once the cake has completely cooled, top the cake with the frosting and smooth it out so it’s even over the whole cake.
• Gently sprinkle the prepared strawberry crumb mixture over the top of the frosted cake, making sure to evenly coat the top of the cake. Slice the cake and enjoy!