Strawberry Lemonade Bars

Strawberry Lemonade Bars: A Refreshing Summer Dessert

These Strawberry Lemonade Bars bring together the tangy brightness of lemon with the sweet juiciness of strawberries in a perfect treat. With a buttery, golden crust and a smooth, fruit-filled topping, these bars offer a fresh and zesty twist on the classic lemon bar. Whether you’re looking for a delightful dessert for a summer gathering or just want to treat yourself to something special, these bars are sure to impress!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These bars are the ultimate combination of tart lemon and sweet strawberry, making them perfect for anyone who loves vibrant, fruity flavors. With a crumbly, buttery crust that melts in your mouth and a luscious filling, these bars hit the sweet spot between tangy and sweet.

Not only are they delicious, but they are also simple to make. This recipe comes together quickly and makes for a perfect make-ahead dessert. Serve them chilled for a refreshing bite on a warm day or enjoy them at room temperature—the choice is yours!

Ingredients:

For the crust:

• 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

For the filling:

• 1 cup fresh lemon juice
• 2-3 teaspoons lemon zest
• 3/4 cup chopped strawberries
• 1 1/4 cups sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

For dusting:

• Powdered sugar (optional)

Directions:

1. Prepare the pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with foil or parchment paper and spray with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
2. Make the crust: In a medium-sized bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Gradually mix in the flour and salt until a crumbly dough forms. Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan, ensuring the crust is flat and uniform.
3. Bake the crust: Place the pan in the oven and bake for about 15 minutes, or until the crust is lightly golden around the edges. This step gives the bars a solid base to hold the tangy filling.
4. Prepare the filling: While the crust is baking, blend together the lemon juice, lemon zest, chopped strawberries, and sugar in a blender or food processor until the mixture is smooth. Add the eggs and blend again until fully incorporated. Finally, add the flour, baking powder, and salt, and blend until the filling is smooth and well combined.
5. Bake the bars: Once the crust is done, carefully pour the strawberry-lemon filling over the hot crust. Return the pan to the oven and bake for 22-25 minutes, or until the top looks dry and is just starting to turn golden.
6. Cool and serve: Remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, sprinkle generously with powdered sugar for an extra sweet touch. Cut into bars and serve!

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 12-16 bars
Calories per Serving: 220 kcal

Tips for Success:

• Make ahead: These bars can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just wait to dust them with powdered sugar until you’re ready to serve!
• Lemon zest boost: For extra lemony flavor, you can increase the lemon zest to 1 tablespoon. This adds an even more refreshing punch of citrus.
• Strawberry variation: Feel free to add more strawberries if you want the filling to have a stronger berry flavor, or use frozen strawberries if fresh ones aren’t available.

Perfect for Summer Gatherings

These Strawberry Lemonade Bars are a crowd-pleaser at any summer party, picnic, or family barbecue. The combination of tart lemon and sweet strawberries creates a refreshing and light dessert that’s hard to resist. Pair these bars with a glass of iced tea or lemonade for a delightful treat!

Whether you’re making these for a gathering or just because, you’ll find yourself coming back to this recipe time and time again. With their vibrant flavor and ease of preparation, these bars are sure to become a summer favorite!

Print