Strawberry Lemonade Bars (Printable)

Tangy strawberry lemonade filling atop buttery shortbread crust makes a delightful spring and summer treat.

# What You'll Need:

→ Shortbread Crust

01 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
02 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
03 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
04 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Strawberry Lemonade Filling

05 - 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and diced
06 - 1 cup granulated sugar
07 - 3 large eggs
08 - 1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
09 - 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
10 - 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
11 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Topping

12 - Powdered sugar for dusting, optional

# Steps:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing overhang on sides for easy removal.
02 - In a medium bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add flour and salt, mixing until a soft dough forms.
03 - Press dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan, smoothing the surface. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until lightly golden.
04 - While the crust bakes, puree the diced strawberries in a blender or food processor until smooth. Strain through a fine sieve to remove seeds if desired.
05 - In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, and strawberry puree until fully combined. Add flour and salt, whisking until smooth.
06 - Once the crust is baked, remove from oven and pour the strawberry lemonade filling evenly over the hot crust.
07 - Return to the oven and bake for 20 to 22 minutes, or until the center is just set and no longer jiggles.
08 - Allow to cool completely in the pan on a rack, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours for clean slicing.
09 - Lift bars from the pan using the parchment overhang. Cut into 16 squares and dust with powdered sugar before serving if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Bright, refreshing flavor combination of strawberry and lemon that wakes up the palate.
  • Easy to make with simple ingredients and straightforward steps.
  • Buttery, tender shortbread crust provides the perfect texture contrast.
  • Great for make-ahead serving and perfect for spring and summer events.
02 -
  • Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the brightest flavor.
  • Line your baking pan with parchment paper with overhang to lift the bars out easily.
  • Refrigerate the bars for at least 2 hours before slicing for clean, neat squares.
  • Consider straining the strawberry puree to remove seeds for a silky texture.
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