Strawberry Crumble Bars

With their beautiful layers and delicious combination of flavours and textures, these strawberry crumble bars are sure to be a hit with anyone who loves the sweet taste of strawberries and the comforting goodness of a homemade dessert.

What Are Strawberry Crumble Bars?

Strawberry crumble bars are a popular dessert, especially during the spring and summer months when strawberries are in season. They are often enjoyed as a sweet treat for picnics, parties, or as an indulgent snack with a cup of tea or coffee. The combination of sweet strawberries, buttery crust, and crumbly streusel topping makes these bars a delightful and comforting dessert option.

Strawberry crumble bars are similar to other fruit-based crumble or crisp desserts. Some similar desserts include:

1. Fruit Crumble: Crumbles typically consist of a layer of fresh or cooked fruit, topped with a crumbly mixture made from flour, butter, and sugar. The fruit filling can vary, with popular choices including apples, peaches, berries, or a combination of fruits.
2. Fruit Crisp: Crisps are similar to crumbles but often include oats or chopped nuts in the topping, giving it an extra crunch. The fruit filling is typically sweetened and spiced, and the topping is made from a mixture of flour, oats, butter, and sugar. Be sure to try my Apple Crisp recipe, equally as easy to make and delicious.
3. Fruit Tart Bars: Tart bars typically have a shortbread or cookie-like crust, a layer of sweet fruit filling, and sometimes a crumbly or streusel topping. The fruit used can vary, but popular choices include berries, stone fruits, or citrus.

While the specific ingredients and ratios may differ, these desserts share a common theme of combining fruit, a crumbly or crisp topping, and often a buttery crust. They are all delicious options for showcasing the flavors of fresh seasonal fruits in a delightful and easy-to-eat format.

Ingredients Needed

To make strawberry crumble bars, you will need the following basic pantry staples:

All-Purpose Flour – This is the main ingredient for the crust and crumble topping of the bars.

White and Brown Sugar – Used to sweeten the crust, crumble topping, and strawberry filling.

Salt – Enhances the flavour of the crust and balances the sweetness.

Unsalted Butter – Provides richness and helps bind the crust and crumble topping together.

Fresh Strawberries – The star ingredient of the bars. Make sure to have ripe and flavourful strawberries on hand. If not, you can substitute with strawberry jam.

Baking Powder – For the oat streusel/crumble.

Lime or Lemon Juice – Adds a tangy brightness to the strawberry filling.

Cornstarch – Helps thicken the strawberry filling, giving it a jam-like consistency.

These pantry staples are commonly found in most kitchens and are essential for making strawberry crumble bars. They form the base of the recipe, and with the addition of fresh strawberries, create a delicious dessert.

Optional variations and additions:

• Nuts: Chopped nuts, such as almonds or walnuts, can be added to the crust or crumble topping for a crunchy element. Use about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of chopped nuts.
• Spices: Consider adding a pinch of cinnamon, cardamon or nutmeg to the crust or crumble topping for a warm and aromatic touch.
• Orange Zest: You can add orange zest to the strawberry filling for added flavour.

How To Make Strawberry Crumble Bars

Strawberry crumble bars are relatively easy to make, even for novice bakers. The recipe typically involves a few simple steps and doesn’t require any advanced baking techniques. Here’s an overview of how easy it is to make strawberry crumble bars:

1. Preparation: The recipe requires gathering the ingredients, such as flour, brown and white sugar, butter, strawberries, salt baking powder and lime juice. You’ll also need a baking pan and basic kitchen tools like mixing bowls and measuring utensils.
2. Mixing the crust and crumble topping: The crust and crumble topping are made by combining the dry ingredients – flour, sugar, rolled oats (only for the crumble) and salt and cutting in cold butter until crumbly. This can be done using a pastry cutter or your fingers. No special equipment or skills are needed (I sneaked in my Cuisinart food processor for the pie dough).
3. Assembling the layers: Pressing the crust mixture into the bottom of a greased or lined baking dish is straightforward. Once the crust is evenly distributed, the strawberry filling is made by tossing the strawberries with sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice and a pinch of salt. The filling is spread over the crust, followed by sprinkling the oat crumble mixture on top.
4. Baking: The assembled bars are then baked in a preheated oven for around 35-40 minutes, until the crust and topping turn golden brown, and the strawberry filling is bubbly.
5. Cooling and cutting: After removing the bars from the oven, they should be allowed to cool completely in the baking dish. This helps them set and makes it easier to cut them into squares or rectangles. I recommend refrigerating for about an hour before cutting into squares.

The process of making strawberry crumble bars is quite forgiving, and there is room for customization or ingredient substitutions to suit personal preferences or dietary restrictions. The result is a delicious dessert that combines the flavors of fresh strawberries with a buttery crust and a crumbly topping.

So, even if you’re new to baking or have limited experience in the kitchen, you can still enjoy making strawberry crumble bars. With a bit of patience and following the instructions carefully, you’ll have a homemade treat to savor and share with others.

How To Store Strawberry Crumble Bars

To store strawberry bars and keep them fresh for longer, follow these guidelines:

1. Cool Completely: Allow the strawberry bars to cool completely at room temperature before storing. This helps prevent condensation from forming inside the container, which can make the bars soggy.
2. Single Layer: Place the cooled strawberry bars in a single layer in an airtight container. This prevents them from sticking together or becoming crushed.
3. Parchment Paper: If stacking multiple layers, separate them with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
4. Refrigeration: If the strawberry bars have a fresh fruit filling or perishable ingredients, it is recommended to store them in the refrigerator for put to 2-3 days in an airtight container.
5. Countertop Storage: If the bars have a shelf-stable crust and filling, they can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container. Keep them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
6. Freezing: Strawberry bars can also be frozen for longer-term storage. Wrap each bar tightly in plastic wrap or place them in a freezer-safe container for up to 2-3 months.

By following these storage recommendations, you can enjoy your strawberry bars for an extended period, whether refrigerated, frozen, or stored at room temperature.

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Let’s Make Some Strawberry Crumble Bars