Name: Easy Strawberry Custard Cream Bars
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 1 h 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups flour; ¼ cup sugar; 1 cup cold butter; 1 ½ cups sugar; 7 Tbsp flour; 1 cup whipping cream (35% cream, not whipped); 3 large eggs, beaten; 5 cups chopped strawberries; 6 oz cream cheese, at room temperature; ½ cup sugar; ½ tsp vanilla; 1 cup whipping cream, whipped

Description

A delightful layered dessert featuring a shortbread crust, a creamy strawberry custard filling, and a rich cream cheese whipped topping.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Crust:
2 cups flour
¼ cup sugar
1 cup cold butter
For the Filling:
1 ½ cups sugar
7 Tbsp flour
1 cup whipping cream (35% cream, not whipped)
3 large eggs, beaten
5 cups chopped strawberries
For the Topping:
6 oz cream cheese, at room temperature
½ cup sugar
½ tsp vanilla
1 cup whipping cream, whipped

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×13 inch pan.
Step 2: To make the crust, combine 2 cups of flour and ¼ cup of sugar. Cut in 1 cup of cold butter using a pastry blender or food processor until the mixture resembles cornmeal.
Step 3: Press the crust mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 10 minutes.
Step 4: While the crust bakes, prepare the filling. In a large bowl, combine 1 ½ cups of sugar and 7 tablespoons of flour.
Step 5: Whisk in 1 cup of whipping cream and 3 beaten eggs until the mixture is smooth. Gently stir in 5 cups of chopped strawberries.
Step 6: Pour the strawberry filling over the warm crust. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the filling is set. The center may be slightly wobbly, but it should not be runny.
Step 7: Let the bars cool completely before adding the topping.
Step 8: To make the topping, beat the room temperature cream cheese with ½ cup of sugar and ½ teaspoon of vanilla until smooth.
Step 9: In a separate bowl, whip 1 cup of whipping cream until stiff peaks form.
Step 10: Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until it is fully incorporated without deflating the cream.
Step 11: Spread the topping evenly over the cooled strawberry filling.
Step 12: Refrigerate for at least one hour to allow the topping to set before cutting and serving.

Notes

Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature for a smooth, lump-free topping.
Allow the bars to cool completely before adding the topping to prevent it from melting.

The center of the custard will be set when it jiggles slightly as a whole, but doesn’t look liquid.

For the filling, use 35% whipping cream that has not been whipped beforehand.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Bake
Cuisine: American