Description
Strawberry Shortcake Bars layer a soft vanilla cake with a fresh strawberry filling and a light cream topping. This dessert slices cleanly once chilled and works perfectly for make-ahead gatherings.
Ingredients
2 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup unsalted butter softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¾ cup whole milk
2 cups fresh strawberries diced
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon cornstarch
4 oz cream cheese softened
½ cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup heavy whipping cream
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper
2. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl
3. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy
4. Beat in eggs and vanilla extract
5. Add dry ingredients alternately with milk and mix until smooth
6. Spread batter evenly into the pan and bake for 22–25 minutes
7. Cool the cake completely
8. Cook strawberries, sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch until thick
9. Cool the strawberry filling
10. Beat cream cheese until smooth
11. Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract
12. Slowly beat in heavy cream until fluffy
13. Spread strawberry layer over cake
14. Top with cream layer
15. Chill for at least 2 hours before slicing
Notes
Use ripe strawberries for best flavor
Chill overnight for cleaner slices
Do not freeze once assembled
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 75mg