Strawberry Shortcake Bars
Delicious strawberry shortcake bars featuring a buttery shortbread crust, fresh strawberries, and a silky vanilla glaze, perfect for potlucks and picnics.
Ingredients
For the crust and topping
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour Use King Arthur or Gold Medal for predictable results.
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoon light brown sugar Packed lightly; break up clumps before measuring.
- ¾ cup salted butter, melted Use European-style for deeper flavor.
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
For the strawberry filling
- 3 cups chopped fresh strawberries Hull and chop strawberries into small pieces.
- 2 tablespoon granulated sugar To draw out juices from strawberries.
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour To thicken the strawberry juices while baking.
For the glaze
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon light or heavy whipping cream
- ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and a pinch of salt if using unsalted butter.
- Add the melted butter and vanilla, stirring until the mixture clumps.
- Press two-thirds of the mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan and reserve a third for topping.
Baking the crust
- Bake the crust for 15–20 minutes until lightly golden. Let it cool slightly.
Strawberry Filling
- In a separate bowl, fold together the chopped strawberries, granulated sugar, and flour.
- Spoon the strawberry mixture evenly over the baked crust.
Final Assembly and Bake
- Crumble the reserved mixture over the strawberry layer.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes until the topping is golden brown and juices are bubbling.
- Cool completely in the pan on a rack.
Glazing and Serving
- Mix the glaze ingredients in a small bowl until smooth and drizzle over the cooled bars.
- Lift the bars from the pan using parchment overhang and slice into 12 bars.
Notes
For best results, chill before slicing for clean edges. Use room-temperature strawberries for predictable juicing and consider variations such as blueberry or cheesecake twists.