Description
A delicious layered dessert bar featuring a buttery crumb crust, a creamy strawberry and cream cheese filling, and a crumbly topping. Perfect for a sweet treat on a sunny day.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Bar:
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 3/4 cup flour
1 1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup butter, cold, and cut into 1 inch pieces
1 egg
For the Filling:
2 cups fresh strawberries, diced
4 oz softened cream cheese
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp cornstarch
1 tsp vanilla
3 tbsp sugar
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a 9×9 inch baking dish with aluminum foil and then grease the foil.
- Step 2: To make the crumb mixture, place all bar ingredients into a food processor. Pulse for about 20 seconds, scraping down the sides, until a crumbly dough forms.
- Step 3: Press half of the dough mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to create the crust.
- Step 4: In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, lemon juice, cornstarch, vanilla, and 3 tablespoons of sugar until thoroughly mixed.
- Step 5: Gently stir the diced strawberries into the cream cheese mixture.
- Step 6: Spread the strawberry filling evenly over the crust in the baking dish.
- Step 7: Crumble the remaining dough mixture over the top of the strawberry layer, making sure to cover it completely.
- Step 8: Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the crumb layer is slightly golden.
- Step 9: Remove the dish from the oven and allow it to cool for 15 minutes.
- Step 10: Transfer the dish to the freezer or refrigerator to cool for another 1 to 2 hours, or until chilled to your desired temperature.
- Step 11: Once chilled, lift the bars out of the dish using the foil, slice into squares, and serve.
Notes
Using cold butter is essential for achieving the correct crumbly texture for the bar layers.
Chilling the bars thoroughly after baking is crucial for clean slicing and setting the filling.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American