Description
Strawberry Shortcake Bars are a delightful summer dessert featuring a soft cake base topped with fresh strawberries and whipped cream.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal later.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Add the softened butter, egg, vanilla extract, and milk to the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined and the batter is smooth.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool completely in the pan.
- While the cake is cooling, combine the sliced strawberries and lemon juice in a bowl. Let them sit for about 10-15 minutes to macerate.
- In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until soft peaks form.
- Once the cake has cooled, spread the whipped cream over the top evenly. Then, layer the macerated strawberries on top of the whipped cream.
- Use the parchment paper to lift the cake out of the pan. Cut into bars and serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
- For a gluten-free option, substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend.
- For added flavor, try mixing in a teaspoon of almond extract into the whipped cream or adding a layer of lemon curd beneath the whipped cream.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg