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To make delicious Strawberry Lemonade Bars, you’ll need a few simple ingredients. Here’s what you’ll gather: - 1 cup flour - 1/2 cup powdered sugar - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 2 large eggs - 1 cup fresh strawberries, pureed - 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice - 1 teaspoon lemon zest - 1/2 cup granulated sugar - 1/4 teaspoon baking powder - Pinch of salt - Garnish: fresh strawberries and lemon slices Each ingredient plays a key role. The flour gives the bars structure. Butter makes them rich and tender. The strawberries and lemon juice bring bright flavors, while the powdered sugar adds sweetness. I love using fresh strawberries for the best taste. The zest enhances the lemon flavor, making every bite refreshing. This mix of flavors creates a perfect balance of sweet and tart. Enjoy gathering these items before you start baking! {{ingredient_image_1}} 1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). 2. Grease an 8x8 inch baking pan. Line it with parchment paper, leaving some overhang. 3. In a bowl, combine 1 cup flour and 1/2 cup powdered sugar. 4. Add 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. 5. Mix until crumbly. 6. Press the crust mixture firmly into the bottom of the pan. 7. Bake for 15 minutes or until lightly golden. 8. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly. 1. In another bowl, whisk 2 large eggs until frothy. 2. Add 1 cup pureed fresh strawberries and 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice. 3. Mix in 1 teaspoon lemon zest, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 teaspoon baking powder, and a pinch of salt. 4. Mix until well combined. 1. Pour the strawberry-lemon batter over the cooled crust. 2. Spread it out evenly. 3. Return the pan to the oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the top is set and golden around the edges. 4. Remove from the oven and let it cool completely in the pan. 5. Use the parchment paper to lift out the bars and cut them into squares. To make the best strawberry lemonade bars, focus on three key areas: the crust, the filling, and cooling. - Ensuring the crust is golden and firm: Start by pressing the crust mixture firmly into the pan. Bake until it is lightly golden, about 15 minutes. A well-baked crust holds everything together. - Achieving a smooth filling consistency: Blend the strawberries and other filling ingredients well. Whisk the eggs until frothy. This helps the filling rise and set nicely. - Cooling tips for easy cutting: Let the bars cool completely in the pan. This step makes cutting easier and keeps the filling from falling apart. Presentation is key for any dessert. Here are some tips to make your bars shine: - Garnishing tips with fresh strawberries and lemon: Add fresh strawberry slices on top of each bar. A sprinkle of lemon zest adds color and a touch of flavor. - Serving suggestions for gatherings or parties: Arrange the bars on a colorful platter. Pair them with lemon wedges. This creates a bright and inviting look that guests will love. Pro Tips Use Fresh Ingredients: Always opt for fresh strawberries and freshly squeezed lemon juice to achieve the best flavor in your bars. Let It Cool Completely: Be patient and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting to ensure clean squares. Adjust Sweetness: Taste the batter before baking; you can adjust the sugar according to your preference for sweetness. Garnish for Presentation: For a stunning finish, dust with powdered sugar and add fresh strawberry slices and lemon wedges before serving. {{image_2}} To make vegan strawberry lemonade bars, swap out the eggs. You can use ground flaxseed or chia seeds. For each egg, mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 2.5 tablespoons of water. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it thickens. This works as a great binding agent. For a vegan crust, replace unsalted butter with coconut oil or a vegan butter spread. These alternatives keep the crust rich and tasty. If you want gluten-free strawberry lemonade bars, use a good gluten-free flour blend. Look for one that includes xanthan gum. This helps improve texture and keeps the bars from crumbling. To maintain the right texture, check the consistency of your batter. If it seems too thick, add a bit more lemon juice. This keeps the bars moist and flavorful. To keep your strawberry lemonade bars fresh, wrap them tightly. Use plastic wrap or foil for the best seal. You can also place them in an airtight container. Make sure to store them in the fridge. This keeps them cool and tasty. The ideal temperature for storage is below 40°F (4°C). These bars will stay fresh for up to five days. If you want to save some for later, freezing is a great option. First, let the bars cool completely. Then, cut them into squares. Wrap each square in plastic wrap. After that, place them in a freezer-safe bag. This will help prevent freezer burn. When you are ready to enjoy them, take out as many as you need. Let them thaw in the fridge overnight. For a quicker option, you can thaw them at room temperature for about an hour. Enjoy your sweet treat anytime! Strawberry lemonade bars last about 3 to 5 days in the fridge. Keep them in an airtight container. This helps keep them fresh and tasty. If you want to enjoy them longer, consider freezing them. Yes, you can use frozen strawberries. Just make sure to thaw and puree them first. Drain any extra liquid to keep the bars from being too watery. Fresh strawberries give a bright taste, but frozen can work well too. If you need a substitute for powdered sugar, you can use granulated sugar. Blend it in a food processor until it’s fine. You can also use coconut sugar or a sugar alternative, but this may change the taste and texture a bit. Absolutely! You can make these bars a day or two ahead. Just store them in the fridge until you are ready to serve. This way, they are ready for parties or family gatherings without any last-minute fuss. To add more tartness, increase the lemon juice and lemon zest. You can also add a bit of lemon extract for an extra punch. Taste your filling before baking to adjust the tartness to your liking! You learned how to make delicious Strawberry Lemonade Bars. We covered all the steps, from ingredients to baking. With our tips, you can create a perfect batch every time. You can even try vegan or gluten-free options if needed. Now, enjoy these bars at your next event or just for yourself. They are fresh, tasty, and easy to make. I hope you try this recipe soon!

Strawberry Lemonade Bars

Deliciously tangy and sweet bars made with fresh strawberries and lemon juice, perfect for a summer treat.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 9
Calories 150 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup flour
  • 0.5 cup powdered sugar
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup fresh strawberries, pureed
  • 0.5 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 0.5 cup granulated sugar
  • 0.25 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 pinch salt
  • a few fresh strawberries and lemon slices for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8x8 inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal later.
  • In a mixing bowl, combine the flour and powdered sugar. Add the softened butter and vanilla extract, and mix until crumbly.
  • Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form a crust. Bake in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes or until lightly golden. Remove from oven and set aside to cool slightly.
  • In another bowl, whisk the eggs until frothy. Add the pureed strawberries, lemon juice, lemon zest, granulated sugar, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Mix until well combined.
  • Pour the strawberry-lemon batter over the cooled crust and spread it out evenly.
  • Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until the top is set and slightly golden around the edges.
  • Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely in the pan before lifting out using the parchment paper.
  • Once cooled, cut into squares and dust with powdered sugar if desired.

Notes

Arrange the squares on a serving platter, garnished with fresh strawberry slices and lemon wedges for an inviting look.
Keyword bars, dessert, lemonade, strawberry