What are strawberry shortcake bars made of?

Strawberry shortcake bars consist of three main components: a buttery shortbread crust and crumble topping made from flour, sugars, butter, and vanilla; a sweet strawberry filling made with fresh strawberries, sugar, and flour; and a simple vanilla glaze made from powdered sugar, cream, and vanilla extract. The combination creates a portable version of the classic strawberry shortcake dessert.

How do you make strawberry shortcake bars from scratch?

To make strawberry shortcake bars from scratch, first create a shortbread mixture that serves as both crust and topping. Pre-bake part of this mixture as the crust. Meanwhile, prepare a strawberry filling by mixing chopped strawberries with sugar and flour. Spread this filling over the partially baked crust, then sprinkle with the reserved crumb topping. Bake until golden and bubbly, cool completely, then finish with a simple glaze before cutting into bars.

What kind of crust or base is best for strawberry shortcake bars?

A shortbread-style crust works best for strawberry shortcake bars because it provides a sturdy, buttery base that doesn't get soggy from the fruit filling. The combination of all-purpose flour, granulated and brown sugars, melted butter, and vanilla creates a tender yet firm foundation that complements the juicy strawberry layer perfectly.

Should you use fresh or frozen strawberries in strawberry shortcake bars?

Fresh strawberries are ideal for strawberry shortcake bars as they provide the best flavor and texture. However, if fresh strawberries aren't available, frozen strawberries can work if they're completely thawed and well-drained before use. The excess moisture from frozen strawberries can make the bars soggy if not properly managed.

How do you keep strawberry shortcake bars from becoming soggy?

To prevent soggy strawberry shortcake bars, pre-bake the crust before adding the filling, add flour to the strawberry mixture to absorb excess juice, avoid overmixing the strawberries which can release too much liquid, ensure the bars are completely cooled before cutting, and store them properly in an airtight container.

Can you make strawberry shortcake bars with cream cheese or a glaze?

Yes, strawberry shortcake bars can be enhanced with both cream cheese and glaze. For a cream cheese version, spread a sweetened cream cheese layer over the pre-baked crust before adding the strawberries. For the glaze, a simple mixture of powdered sugar, cream, and vanilla drizzled over cooled bars adds a perfect sweet finish that complements the fruity filling.

Strawberry Shortcake Bars: Best Easy Summer Dessert Recipe

Strawberry Shortcake Bars

Print Recipe

Buttery shortbread crust, juicy strawberry filling, and crumbly topping finished with a sweet vanilla glaze make these bars irresistible.

Author: Chef Rina
Prep Time: 20
Cook Time: 50
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Yield: 16 1x
Category: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Crust and crumb:

1 ¾ cups (250g) all-purpose flour
⅓ cup (65g) granulated sugar
3 tablespoon (45g) packed light brown sugar
¾ cup (170g) salted butter, melted (or add a pinch of salt if using unsalted butter)
1 teaspoon (5ml) pure vanilla extract
Strawberry filling:
3 cups (400g) chopped fresh strawberries (cut each strawberry into quarters then half each quarter so you get 8 little pieces from each strawberry)
2 tablespoon (25g) granulated sugar
1 tablespoon (9g) all-purpose flour

Glaze:

½ cup (60g) powdered sugar
1 tablespoon (15ml) light or heavy whipping cream
¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on each side.
Combine flour, both sugars and salt (if using unsalted butter) in a medium bowl. Mix well to remove any lumps.
Add melted butter and vanilla to dry ingredients and stir until combined, then use fingertips to form large crumbs.
Press about two-thirds of mixture into prepared pan in an even layer. Use floured hands to prevent sticking.
Bake crust for 15-20 minutes until lightly golden, then set aside to cool slightly.
In a medium bowl, combine chopped strawberries, sugar and flour, tossing gently to coat.
Spoon strawberry mixture over the cooled crust in an even layer.
Crumble remaining crust mixture evenly over strawberries (strawberries will still be visible).
Bake for 30-35 minutes until juices are bubbling and topping is golden.
Cool completely in the pan.
Mix powdered sugar, cream and vanilla in a small bowl until smooth.
Drizzle glaze over cooled bars, then slice and serve.

Notes

Nutrition facts are estimates and may vary based on ingredients used, portion sizes, and preparation methods.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 16
Calories: 210 Kcal
Sugar: 15g
Sodium: 85mg
Fat: 11g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Carbohydrates: 26g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 2g
Cholesterol: 30mg

Keywords: strawberry shortcake bars, strawberry dessert, shortcake bars, summer dessert, fresh strawberry recipe

Find it online: https://www.joyliciousrecipes.com/easy-strawberry-shortcake-bars-recipe/