Strawberry Shortcake Bars are soft and chewy and slightly cakey cookie bars loaded with a creamy and fluffy whipped cream frosting and lots of fresh strawberries! Perfect for a potluck or when you need a delicious treat that’s refreshing, too!
So it doesn’t *quite* feel like springtime yet, but be forewarned: the spring recipes are coming!
Don’t worry – I haven’t changed my tune on spring yet. I mean, I like it alright, but for the most part, I’m still a winter baby through and through and I will hold onto winter until you pry it from my cold, chapped hands.
If I could edit spring to be allergy-free, warm but comfortable and NOT hot, and after spring was over we’d skip to fall, I’d be totally happy. But spring brings me some bittersweet moments, like allergies and a precursor to summer, which I loathe with a fiery passion.
OUR LATEST VIDEOSBut I’ve come to realize that most of the country prefers summer and loathes winter. I thought you all were crazy, but then I realized your summers are nice and mild (typically – I know this isn’t the case everywhere and some of you have a mild summer but like, 90% humidity which sounds like utter hell). But your winters are horrible, barren, snowy wastelands and you’re stuck shoveling snow or whatever, and we Californians are over here still wearing sandals on a sunny winter day or only leaving the house in a light hoodie.
So maybe I need to get rich, buy a summer home somewhere pleasant and mild, and migrate there when Sacramento becomes one of Dante’s rings of hell starting in late May.
In the meantime, let’s pretend it’s pre-spring and start making these Strawberry Shortcake Bars!
These bars are so delicious and easy to make – plus, they make a big batch since you can cut them smaller, so they’re perfect for a potluck or a big crowd.
The base of the bars is a cross between cake and a cookie. It’s a very cakey cookie, if you will – similar to those Lofthouse sugar cookies in the grocery store. The cookie is light and fluffy with a moist, cake-like crumb but is sturdy like a cookie would be.
The frosting is a cream cheese, vanilla and whipped topping frosting you beat together with an electric mixer. Spread it on and top with a mountain of fresh cut strawberries. If strawberries aren’t in season or aren’t your thing, you could totally add any kind of fruit you’d like – these would be especially gorgeous with a bunch of mixed berries or fruits like kiwi, pineapple, or mandarins! I just love the pop of pinks and reds from the juicy strawberries.
I love how these are cakey, soft, chewy and topped with that lovely, creamy “frosting”. It really ties everything together and tastes like a strawberry shortcake!
Strawberry Shortcake Bars
Author: Hayley Parker, The Domestic Rebel
Recipe type: Bars
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 15-18
These Strawberry Shortcake Bars are light, buttery and cakey cookies topped with the loveliest cream cheese whipped frosting and lots of fresh strawberries!
Ingredients
- FOR THE BARS:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- One 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup confectioners’ sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 & ½ cups all-purpose flour
- FOR THE FROSTING & BERRIES:
- One 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- One 8-ounce tub whipped topping, thawed
- One pound fresh strawberries, sliced
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9×13 rectangular pan with foil, extending the sides of the foil over the edges of the pan. Spray the foil with cooking spray.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the butter and cream cheese until combined and fluffy, about 1 minute. Add in the sugars and beat well. Add in the egg and vanilla and mix together. Lastly, add in the salt, baking soda, baking powder, and flour until a soft dough comes together. Spread the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan in an even layer.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until light golden brown on top and center is set. Cool completely.
- For the frosting: Cream together the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Fold in the whipped topping until combined. Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled bars. Top with the sliced strawberries. Serve immediately, or store covered in the fridge for up to 2 days.
3.5.3228
I love how refreshing and delicious these simple, flavorful bars are!
Have a super sweet day!
xo, Hayley
