Strawberry Crumb Bars
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
30 mins
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Cook Time
50 mins
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Additional Time
1 hr
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Total Time
2 hrs 20 mins
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Servings
24 squares
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Calories
196 kcal
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Course
Dessert, Baked Goods
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Cuisine
American
Strawberry Crumb Bars
Description
This recipe begins by preparing a fresh strawberry filling cooked with sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch until the berries release their juices and the mixture thickens slightly. Some strawberries are added after boiling to maintain texture. The filling cools while the crumb crust is made, which consists of flour, granulated and brown sugars, baking powder, cornstarch, salt, and cold butter cut into small cubes for a crisp, crumbly texture.
The bars are baked in a buttered 9x13 glass dish, allowing the bottom crust and crumb topping to develop a lightly golden color while encasing the tender, vibrant strawberry filling. Using a food processor for the crumb mixture helps achieve the right texture efficiently.
These bars offer a balance of sweet and tangy flavors with a pleasing textural contrast, ideal for dessert or snack with a familiar homemade feel.
If baked in metal pans, watch the baking time closely as the bars may brown faster. The crust can also be made with gluten-free flour blends, noting a possible need for longer baking time for crispness.
Ingredients
- 5 cups strawberries tops removed, quartered, divided
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 Tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1 Tablespoon butter
Crumb layers
- 3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup light brown sugar tightly packed
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup butter cold, cut into small cubes, unsalted
- 1 egg large, yolk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and lightly butter the sides and bottom of a 9x13 glass baking dish¹. Set aside.
- In a medium-sized, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine 3 ½ cups strawberries (490g), sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and salt over medium-low heat.
- Stir frequently until strawberries release their juices (about 5 or so minutes), then increase heat to medium/medium-high and bring mixture to a boil, stirring constantly.
- Boil for one minute (still stirring) then stir in remaining strawberries.
- Cook for another minute, then remove from heat. Add butter and stir until butter is melted. Allow mixture to cool while you prepare your crumble mixture.
For Crumble
- I strongly recommend using a food processor and not a pastry cutter for this step, as it’s a very dry mixture that will take a long time to work to the proper consistency manually.
- To prepare crumble layer, combine flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, cornstarch, and salt in the basin of a food processor. Pulse until combined.
- Scatter butter pieces evenly over flour mixture and pulse until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add egg and vanilla extract and continue to blend until mixture is just beginning to cling together and holds together if you press the dough together with your fingers.
- Pour approximately one half of the crumble mixture into your prepared pan and use your hands or the back of a spoon to evenly press the crumble mixture into your pan (see image in post for visual).
- Pour strawberry mixture over crumb crust and spread so that it is evenly distributed. Use your hands to scatter remaining crumble mixture evenly over the top of the strawberry layer.
- Transfer to 350F (175C) oven and bake for 50-60 minutes or until the top layer is just beginning to turn golden brown.
- Allow to cool for 1-2 hours before slicing and serving (strawberry crumb bars will fall apart if sliced while they’re still warm, but they do taste good warm and messy topped with vanilla ice cream!).
Notes
- If using a metal baking dish instead of glass, reduce baking time slightly to prevent overbrowning.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days or refrigerate for up to five days.
- This recipe works with Cup4Cup gluten-free flour, although the crust may require longer baking to become crisp.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 24squares
Amount Per Serving
Calories 196 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1square | |
| Calories | 196kcal | 10% |
| Carbohydrates | 29g | 10% |
| Protein | 2g | 4% |
| Fat | 8g | 12% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Cholesterol | 29mg | 10% |
| Sodium | 72mg | 3% |
| Potassium | 69mg | 1% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 14g | 28% |
| Vitamin A | 550IU | 11% |
| Vitamin C | 15.7mg | 17% |
| Calcium | 110mg | 11% |
| Iron | 0.9mg | 5% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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