I used to live in a small apartment and never had many groceries because I would go home to my parents’ place on the weekends. I wanted to make a dessert to bring to work, and using just what I had in my fridge and pantry—flour, sugar, butter, and half a quart of week old strawberries—these strawberry crumb bars were born!

When I brought them to work the next day, no one thought these bakery-style strawberry crumb bars were made at home or could be this simple to make. My friends and family request them every time we have a get-together, and now they’ve become a staple at summer gatherings. With just a few simple ingredients and a little time, you too can enjoy fresh, homemade strawberry crumb bars right from your own kitchen!

Strawberry Crumb Bar Ingredients

• – All-Purpose Flour: All-Purpose flour has just the right amount of protein needed to give the shortbread crust its signature structure and strength without it being tough or dry.

• – Powdered Sugar: Because it is so fine and dissolves nearly instantly, this helps make a shortbread crust that won’t be too soft but also not too dense from the risk of overbeating.

• – Butter: Softened butter binds the crust together and gives it a rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Because this is a butter-based cookie, opt for a high-quality European butter if possible for a richer, more luxurious flavor and texture.

• – Vanilla Extract: Adds a subtle warmth and depth to the dough.

• – Strawberries: Fresh, ripe strawberries bring a natural sweetness and juicy filling.

• – Granulated Sugar: Helps enhance the strawberries’ natural sweetness while keeping them from getting too watery.

Strawberry Crumb Bar Recipe Tips

• – Use ripe strawberries: Fresh, sweet strawberries will make all the difference in flavor. If your berries are tart, you may need a little extra sugar. If you are going to use frozen strawberries, thaw them completely in a colander and add 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch to offset the extra moisture they would bring to the party.

• – Chill the dough if needed: If the dough is too soft, a quick chill in the fridge can help it hold together better when pressing into the pan.

• – Don’t overbake: The bars are ready when the crumbs turn a light golden brown. Overbaking can dry out the crust.

• – Let them cool completely: They’ll hold their shape better once cooled, making them easier to slice.

Strawberry Crumb Bars

Directions

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Pan

1. – Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

1. – Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving extra paper hanging over the edges for easy removal later.

Step 2: Make the Crust and Crumble Topping

1. – In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter and powdered sugar using a stand or hand mixer until light and fluffy.

1. – Add the vanilla extract and mix until combined.

1. – Gradually add the all-purpose flour, mixing until the dough begins to form. The dough will be crumbly.

1. – Reserve about 1 cup of the dough mixture for the topping, and press the remaining dough into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form an even base layer.

Step 3: Prepare the Strawberry Filling

1. – In a separate bowl, toss the fresh strawberries with the granulated sugar.

1. – Spread the sugared strawberries evenly over the crust in the baking pan.

Step 4: Add the Crumb Topping

1. – Sprinkle the reserved crumb mixture evenly over the strawberries, covering them with a crumbly topping.

Step 5: Bake the Bars

1. – Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is golden and the filling is bubbly.

1. – Once baked, remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.

Step 6: Slice and Serve

1. – Once cooled, lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper, and transfer to a cutting board.

1. – Slice into 9 bars and serve.