Description
These strawberry bars feature a buttery crumb base, a juicy strawberry filling, and a golden crumble topping. Made with frozen strawberries and simple pantry ingredients, they’re an easy baked dessert that slices cleanly and stores well.
Ingredients
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2 cups all-purpose flour
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1/2 teaspoon baking powder
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1/2 teaspoon salt
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2/3 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed (11 tablespoons)
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2/3 cup packed light brown sugar
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1 large egg
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1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
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3 cups chopped strawberries
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1/4 cup granulated sugar
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1 tablespoon cornstarch
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
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In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the cold butter and use a pastry cutter to create a crumb-like mixture. Alternatively, pulse the mixture in a food processor until pea-sized crumbs form, about 20 seconds.
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In a separate large bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, egg, and vanilla until combined. Slowly add the flour mixture to the wet mixture and use a rubber spatula or your hands to combine into a crumbly dough.
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Press 2/3 of the mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan, making sure it is compact to form a sturdy crust.
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In a medium bowl, stir together the chopped strawberries, granulated sugar, and cornstarch. Spoon the strawberry mixture evenly over the crust.
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Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture evenly over the strawberry layer.
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Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the strawberry layer is bubbling at the edges.
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Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely at room temperature. Cut into 1½-inch squares and serve.
Notes
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Frozen strawberries can be used without thawing.
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Cooling completely is essential for clean slices.