Description
Delight in these Fresh Strawberry Bars, a perfect blend of buttery crust, luscious strawberry filling, and a crumbly streusel topping. Ideal for a refreshing dessert or a sweet snack, these bars showcase the vibrant flavor of fresh strawberries baked to perfection.
Ingredients
Crust and Topping
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter (cold and cubed)
Filling
- 4 cups fresh strawberries (hulled and chopped)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the Crust and Topping: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Add the cold cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to blend until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Reserve 1 1/2 cups of this mixture for the topping and press the remaining into a greased 9×13-inch pan to form the crust.
- Make the Filling: In another bowl, mix the chopped strawberries with sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until well combined. The cornstarch will help thicken the filling as it bakes.
- Assemble the Bars: Spread the strawberry mixture evenly over the prepared crust. Then sprinkle the reserved crumb topping evenly over the filling.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the bars for 40-45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack to firm up the filling before cutting into squares. Serve chilled or at room temperature for a delicious treat.
Notes
- Use ripe strawberries for the best flavor and sweetness.
- Ensure the butter is cold to achieve a crumbly texture for crust and topping.
- Allow bars to cool thoroughly before slicing to prevent the filling from leaking.
- Store leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
