Strawberry Crunch Shortbread Bars
Introduction
These delightful Strawberry Crunch Bars bring together buttery shortbread, a tart-sweet strawberry layer, and a golden, crispy oat topping. They’re perfect for a summer picnic, afternoon tea, or a sweet snack that feels both homemade and gourmet. The vibrant freeze-dried strawberry powder gives striking color and flavor without any cooking fuss. Simple to make, delightful to eat—these bars are destined to be a crowd favorite!
Pro Tip
Use cold butter for the shortbread base and work quickly—this creates a tender, crumbly crust instead of a greasy one. And for extra flair, press a few whole freeze-dried strawberries on top before baking.
Serving Suggestions
- Enjoy with a tall iced glass of milk or a creamy latte.
- Serve at brunch alongside fresh fruit and savory quiches.
- Bring to potlucks or bake sales—cut into bite-sized squares for easy sharing.
Variations
- Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in both base and topping.
- Dairy-Free: Swap butter for dairy-free margarine and use coconut oil in the topping.
- Chocolate Drizzle: Melt dark chocolate and drizzle over cooled bars before slicing.
- Mixed Berries: Replace half the strawberry powder with raspberry or blueberry powder.
Equipment Needed
- 8×8-inch baking dish: For the perfect bar shape and fit.
- Parchment paper: Helps remove bars easily and keeps the dish clean.
- Pastry cutter or fork: Essential for cutting cold butter into the flour.
- Mixing bowls: Separate bowls keep layers tidy and easy.
- Spatula or spoon: For spreading layers smoothly and evenly.
Tips for Success
- Press base firmly: Ensures a sturdy crust that doesn’t crumble when you slice.
- Even strawberry layer: Whisk well to avoid streaks—ensures consistent flavor and color.
- Topping clumps: Clumpy oat topping creates irresistible texture.
- Watch baking time: The center should be set but not overly browned—aim for 25–30 minutes.
- Cool completely: Bars slice cleaner when fully cooled, giving neat edges.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These bars are the ultimate combination of textures—crisp shortbread, creamy strawberry filling, and crunchy oat top. They’re simple enough for everyday baking, yet pretty enough for entertaining. You can easily tweak flavors, and they travel well, making them perfect for lunchboxes, picnics, or sweet gifts.
Recipe Card
Ingredients
Shortbread Base:
- 1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup (30 g) powdered sugar
- ½ cup (115 g) cold unsalted butter, cubed
Strawberry Layer:
- ¾ cup (180 g) whole milk or sour cream
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ⅔ cup (65 g) freeze-dried strawberries, ground
- ¼ tsp salt
- 2 tbsp strawberry jam (optional, for extra shine)
Crunch Topping:
- ½ cup (45 g) rolled oats
- ¼ cup (30 g) all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup (60 g) melted coconut oil or butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 °F (165 °C). Line an 8×8″ pan with parchment.
- Shortbread base: Mix flour + powdered sugar. Cut in butter until coarse crumbs form.
- Press half into pan. Bake 15 min until lightly golden. Cool slightly.
- Strawberry layer: Whisk milk/sour cream, egg, vanilla, ground strawberries, salt, and jam.
- Pour over base evenly.
- Topping: Stir oats, flour, sugar, cinnamon, and melted oil into clumps. Sprinkle on top.
- Bake 25–30 min until topping is golden and set. Cool completely before slicing.
Nutrition (per bar, 16 servings)
| Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat | Fiber | Sugar | Sodium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 190 | 2 g | 22 g | 10 g | 1 g | 8 g | 45 mg |
FAQ
Q1: How should I store leftovers?
Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 days, or refrigerate up to 5 days.
Q2: Can I freeze these?
Yes—freeze cut bars between parchment in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight.
Q3: Can I skip the jam?
Absolutely! The jam adds gloss and extra sweetness but isn’t essential.
Q4: What if I only have fresh strawberries?
Blend ½ cup fresh strawberries with milk, but the color may be less intense and the liquid ratio slightly off.
Q5: Can I bake in a different pan size?
You can use a 9×9 pan, but bars will be thinner—reduce baking time slightly to prevent over-baking.
