Strawberry Crumb Bars

Strawberry crumb bars with a buttery crust, sweet strawberry filling, and thick crumb topping. A simple summer dessert made with fresh, juicy strawberries!

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Strawberry Crumble Bars

These strawberry crumb bars are easy to make and bursting with fresh strawberry flavor. They start with a buttery crumb crust, a sweet strawberry filling, and a thick, golden topping that bakes up more like shortbread than a traditional crumble, similar to the topping on this peach cobbler.

It’s the perfect recipe for using up ripe berries during strawberry season. And if you find yourself with extras, try this strawberry cream pie or a loaf of fresh strawberry bread!

How to Make Strawberry Crumb Bars

CRUST. Whisk together the flour, sugar and baking powder in a large bowl. Using a fork or pastry cutter, cut in the cold butter until it is the size of peas. Then add the egg and vanilla and stir until the dough is crumbly. Press half of the crust mixture into a parchment lined 8×8″ pan and pat until firm.

FILLING. In a small bowl, mix together the strawberries, sugar and cornstarch. Next add the fruit mixture on top of the crumb crust. Then sprinkle the remaining crust crumbs over the strawberry layer.

BAKE. Bake at 375°F for about 35 to 40 minutes, or until the top layer is lightly golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool completely. Then slice into 9 large or 18 small bars.

Tips For the Best Results

Use fresh strawberries: This recipe is the perfect way to use up those fresh strawberries! The taste of fresh picked strawberries seriously cannot be beat. They really enhance the flavor and make these bars to die for. I highly recommend using fresh strawberries when possible.

Use cold butter: Similar to when you make biscuits, the butter that’s used for the crumb crust must be cold. I like to freeze mine for about 30 minutes prior to using. The cold butter helps to give the crust that crisp, flaky texture.

Line pan with parchment: I like to bake my strawberry crumb bars in an 8×8″ pan that’s been lined with parchment paper. This way I can easily take out the bars once they’re cooled. It makes clean up much easier and ensures they don’t stick to the pan.

Cool completely before slicing. Although you’re definitely going to want to sneak a bite, make sure to let the dessert cool completely before slicing. If you slice them while still warm, they’ll be crumbly and won’t hold their shape. Trust me, the wait is worth it!

Toppings for Serving

As if these strawberry bars could get any more delicious, try topping them with the following when serving:

• Homemade vanilla ice cream
• Whipped cream
• Drizzle of strawberry jam

You can even drizzle a simple powdered sugar icing on top of the bars to add an extra hint of sweetness. Simply stir together 1 cup powdered sugar with 1-2 Tablespoons of milk and then drizzle the mixture over the crumb topping.

Adapted from Flavor Mosaic