Strawberry Bars
Sweet and fruity Strawberry Bars bring the perfect burst of flavor for any summer party. A buttery shortbread crust and strawberry jello topping make these bars irresistible!
It is strawberry season! I love making strawberry treats during this time of year. Unlike rich Valentine’s treats like Strawberry Brownies, Strawberry Fudge, Strawberry Truffles and even Frozen Chocolate Covered Strawberries, these strawberry bars are absolutely perfect for summer days!
I shared a test batch of these bars with some friends a few weeks ago. The next day, I received the following text:
“Alexandria, that strawberry jello bar is the dessert of the summer. IT WAS SO GOOD!!!!” Now that’s what I would call a positive review 😉 I wasn’t sure if I was the only one that was going to love the shortbread crust with a jello topping, but this text proved it for me… it’s the perfect dessert!
With a not-too-sweet shortbread crust and a delicious real strawberry topping, these bars have a fruity flavor that’s the perfect, bright ending for a barbecue.
Whether you’re prepping for a party, need a quick gift idea, or simply want something indulgent for yourself, this quick dessert delivers big flavor with minimal effort.
Why Make This Recipe
- Colorful Fun: Looking for a splash of red to add to your party? These bars deliver with a bright appearance and even brighter flavor!
- Crowd Pleaser: Who can resist real strawberries and a delicious shortbread cookie crust? These bars are sure to be a hit!
- Summer Flavor: The burst of flavor in these Strawberry Bars is the perfect treat for sitting poolside! And jello makes it a fun treat for kids!
Key Ingredients to Make Strawberry Bars
Here is a visual overview of the ingredients in the recipe. Scroll down to the recipe at the bottom for quantities.
- Frozen strawberries: You can use fresh strawberries if you want, but you may need to add a tablespoon or two of water while cooking to help them break down and release juice. I use the frozen, sliced strawberries because I think it disperses the strawberries into the jello better than full strawberries!
- Strawberry jello: For maximum strawberry flavor! You can also experiment with other flavors of Jello if you so desire. Lemon, peach, or pineapple would be great with this!
Recipe Variations
This simple recipe is easy to dress up! Here are a few suggestions:
- Lemon Twist: Add 1 tsp of lemon zest to the shortbread for a citrusy kick.
- Creamy Layer: Spread a thin layer of sweetened cream cheese on the shortbread before adding the strawberry topping for a strawberries-and-cream effect.
- Chocolate Drizzle: Drizzle with melted white or dark chocolate before serving.
How to Make This Recipe
Step One: Combine the flour, sugar, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
Step Two: Add the melted butter and vanilla and mix until combined.
Step Three: Press the dough into an 8×8 pan and prick with a fork. Bake for 25 minutes.
Step Four: Heat the strawberries and sugar until the strawberries begin to release their juices and the juices boil.
Step Five: Add the jello and remove from the heat.
Step Six: Pour the strawberry mixture over the shortbread and refrigerate until cooled.
Troubleshooting
Here are some common problems that can occur with jello desserts or shortbread crusts, and how to fix them:
- My jello didn’t set: It’s very important to make sure that your liquid is boiling before adding the jello. Also, make sure that you have given the jello enough time to set. Waiting a full 4-6 hours will make a big difference!
- My crust is too crumbly: Bake the shortbread until it’s just golden. Any more will make it too crumbly to eat!
- The bars fell apart when cutting: Use a sharp knife when cutting your bars, and make sure to wipe it in between slices to get nice, clean edges! Also make sure that your jello has set for long enough.
Expert Tips
- Don’t overmix your dough. Mix it too much and it will make it tough, rather than crumbly.
- Be patient with letting your bars cool. If you cut into them too soon the strawberries will not be set! I let mine rest for a full 24 hours just to ensure the jello was completely cooled.
Make It With Kids!
For whatever reason, kids LOVE jello desserts. If you are employing the use of your little ones to help make this recipe, here are some jobs they can do:
- Press the dough into the 8×8 pan.
- Pour the jello powder
- Pour the strawberry filling into the bars
- Eat them, of course 😉
Recipe FAQs
These bars are delicious on their own as an afternoon snack or dessert but if you want to dress them up a bit I suggest serving with a dollop of whipped cream. You could also top the bars with some crushed freeze dried strawberries for even more color. Adding some fresh mint would give a great pop of color for presentation! Make sure to serve them cold, straight from the fridge!
These bars are a great treat to make ahead of time since they need time to set up anyway. Make the recipe as normal and keep them in the refrigerator in an airtight container until ready to serve. You could also make the shortbread crust a day or two in advance before adding the topping.
I do not recommend freezing this recipe. The jello will not thaw well.
If you do not have strawberry jello on hand, you could substitute with another flavor like raspberry. If you want to avoid the added sugar you can use a sugar free jello. You do need some type of gelatin to help the bars set up.
This recipe is very easy to double. Double the ingredients and use a 9×13 pan to bake. The bars will be the same thickness and bake time should remain similar.
Yes—just swap the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend that includes xanthan gum for best results.
Keep your jello bars in an airtight container in the fridge. The longer they sit, the more likely it is that the Jello will weep, so I recommend eating them within the first 3-4 days after making! After 4 days, the crust can become soggy as the jello releases moisture, making them not so appetizing.
Did you like this recipe for Strawberry Bars? If so, check out these other recipes I chose just for you:
- Hello Dolly Bars
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
- Snickerdoodle Cookie Bars with Banana Filling
If you tried this Strawberry Bars Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below!
Strawberry Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- ¼ cup granulated sugar, divided
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 20 oz frozen strawberries
- 3 oz package strawberry jello
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, 2 Tbsp granulated sugar, and salt until evenly dispersed.
- Use a stand mixer or an electric hand mixer to add the melted butter and vanilla, mixing until fully combined.
- Line a glass 8×8 pan with parchment paper. Then pat the dough into the bottom and slightly up the sides of the pan. Use a fork to prick holes in the dough. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow it to cool slightly.
- In a medium pot, add the frozen strawberries and the remaining granulated sugar. Heat over medium heat until the strawberries start to release juices.
- Keep cooking until you bring the liquid to a boil. Then add the 3 oz package of strawberry jello powder. Remove from the heat and allow it to cool slightly.
- Pour over the shortbread crust and refrigerate until the dessert sets up. Cut into bars, serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Frozen strawberries: You can use fresh strawberries if you want.
- Strawberry jello: For maximum strawberry flavor! You can also experiment with other flavors of Jello if you so desire. Lemon, peach, or pineapple would be great with this!
- Don’t overmix your dough. Mix it too much and it will make it tough, rather than crumbly.
- Be patient with letting your bars cool. If you cut into them too soon the strawberries will not be set! I let mine rest for a full 24 hours just to ensure the jello was completely cooled.
