Zesty Strawberry Lemonade Bars Recipe: A Sweet Summer Treat

Summer’s sweet embrace calls for a delightful strawberry lemonade bars recipe that dances between tart and sugary notes.

Bursting with fresh strawberry flavor, these bars capture the essence of sunny afternoons and refreshing moments.

Creamy, zesty, and utterly irresistible, the dessert blends tangy lemon with ripe strawberry goodness in every bite.

The buttery crust provides a perfect foundation for the vibrant filling that will make your taste buds sing.

Layers of bright flavors create a dessert that’s both elegant and playful, perfect for backyard gatherings or quiet afternoon treats.

Rich yet light, these bars offer a delectable twist on classic summer flavors that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Dive into this recipe and transform your kitchen into a haven of sweet, citrusy delight.

How to Serve Strawberry Lemonade Bars

• Picnic Perfect Plating: Arrange these vibrant bars on a rustic wooden board with fresh strawberries and mint leaves scattered around for a stunning summer presentation.
• Dessert Pairing Delight: Serve alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to complement the tangy-sweet strawberry lemon flavor profile.
• Tea Time Elegance: Create an afternoon tea spread by cutting bars into smaller bite-sized squares and pairing with lavender earl grey tea for an elevated dessert experience.
• Brunch Showstopper: Garnish with additional lemon zest and fresh strawberry slices, making these bars a gorgeous centerpiece for weekend brunch gatherings with friends and family.

Storage Advice for Strawberry Lemonade Bars

• Smart Refrigeration Plan: Store these zesty bars in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The cool environment keeps the texture delicate and prevents the filling from becoming too soft or soggy.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire batch of strawberry lemonade bars a day before your event. Covering them tightly helps intensify the fruity flavors and allows ingredients to meld beautifully.
• Freezing Finesse: Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. These tasty treats can be frozen for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for the best texture and taste restoration.
• Serving Temperature Tip: Let refrigerated bars sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving. This slight warming brings out the vibrant strawberry and lemon notes, making each bite more delectable and enhancing the overall flavor profile.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 37-40 minutes

Total Time: 52-55 minutes

Calories: 210 kcal

Servings: 13

Ingredients Needed for Strawberry Lemonade Bars

• Butter: Brings rich, velvety texture and helps bind the dry ingredients together, select high-quality unsalted butter for best flavor.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a crumbly, golden-brown base, choose fine granulated sugar for smooth mixing.
• Flour: Provides structure and stability to the crust, opt for all-purpose flour for consistent results.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness, use fine table salt for even distribution.

• Lemon Juice, Lemon Zest: Delivers bright, tangy citrus essence, select fresh, ripe lemons with vibrant yellow skin and heavy for their size.
• Strawberries: Infuses sweet-tart fruity notes and beautiful color, choose ripe, deep red berries without bruises or soft spots.
• Sugar: Balances the tartness and creates silky smooth texture, use granulated white sugar for consistent sweetness.
• Eggs: Binds the filling and creates a luxurious, creamy consistency, select fresh, room-temperature large eggs.
• Flour: Helps thicken the filling and provides structure, use all-purpose flour for smooth, even texture.
• Baking Powder: Adds subtle lift and lightness to the filling, ensure it's fresh and not expired.
• Salt: Subtly enhances and rounds out the flavors, use fine table salt for even distribution.

• Powdered Sugar: Adds elegant dusting and extra touch of sweetness, sift for even, delicate coverage.

Tools That Make Strawberry Lemonade Bars Easy

• Blender or Food Processor: Essential for creating a silky smooth strawberry-lemon filling.
• 9×13-inch Baking Pan: Perfect size for this delightful dessert.
• Foil or Parchment Paper: Ensures easy removal and clean-up of the bars.
• Medium-Sized Mixing Bowl: Ideal for preparing the buttery crust.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient proportions.
• Zester or Grater: Helps extract fresh lemon zest for maximum flavor.
• Spatula: Great for spreading and smoothing the crust and filling.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for cutting the bars into neat, clean pieces.

Baking Directions for Strawberry Lemonade Bars

• Pan Foundation

Create a cozy home for your dessert by lining a baking dish with soft parchment paper, making sure every corner is covered and smooth.

• Crust Landscape

Craft a buttery base by gently mixing soft butter with sweet sugar until they dance together, then fold in flour to create a crumbly texture that will hold your delightful treat.

• Golden Crust Stage

Slide your pan into a warm oven, letting the edges turn a soft golden color, creating a perfect platform for the fruity layer that follows.

• Vibrant Filling Creation

Blend fresh strawberries and bright lemon juice into a smooth, tangy symphony, mixing in eggs and a whisper of flour to create a velvety liquid that promises bursts of summer flavor.

• Baking Magic

Pour the strawberry-lemon mixture over the warm crust, allowing the flavors to mingle and bake until the top looks delicately set and hints at golden edges.

• Sweet Transformation

Let your creation cool completely, then dust with a snow-like layer of powdered sugar, transforming the bars into a sweet work of art ready to be sliced and shared with loved ones.

Flavor Add-Ins for Lemonade Bars

• Flavor Boost: Infuse the crust with a hint of almond extract or vanilla for a deeper, more complex taste profile that complements the bright strawberry-lemon filling.
• Strawberry Swap: Experiment with other berries like raspberries or blackberries to create unique variations that keep the recipe exciting and seasonal.
• Make-Ahead Magic: These bars can be prepared a day in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, making them perfect for party planning or busy weekends.
• Garnish Glamour: Top the bars with fresh strawberry slices, lemon zest, or a light drizzle of white chocolate to elevate the presentation and add extra layers of flavor and texture.
• Gluten-Free Option: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make these delightful bars accessible to those with gluten sensitivities, without compromising on taste or texture.

Irresistible Strawberry Lemonade Bars

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4.9 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 52-55 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Zesty strawberry lemonade bars combine tangy citrus with sweet berries in perfect harmony. Creamy filling nestles atop a buttery graham cracker crust, inviting you to savor summer’s most refreshing dessert.

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Ingredients

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• 1 ¼ cups (250 g) sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup (240 ml) fresh lemon juice
• ¾ cup (120 g) chopped strawberries
• 1 ½ cups (180 g) flour
• ½ cup (113 g) butter, room temperature
• ¼ cup (50 g) sugar
• ¼ tsp salt
• 2–3 tsps lemon zest
• ¼ cup (30 g) flour
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• powdered sugar (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with foil or parchment paper, lightly greasing the surface to prevent adhesion.
2. Crust Formation: Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, then integrate flour and salt to create a crumbly mixture. Press evenly into the prepared pan, forming a uniform base.
3. Initial Baking: Bake the crust for 15 minutes until edges turn golden, establishing a crisp foundation for the filling.
4. Filling Creation: Blend strawberries, lemon juice, lemon zest, and sugar in a blender until smooth. Whisk in eggs, then gently fold in flour, baking powder, and salt until fully incorporated.
5. Assembly and Baking: Pour the strawberry-lemon mixture over the hot crust, spreading evenly. Return to oven and bake 22-25 minutes until the surface appears dry and slightly golden.
6. Cooling and Finishing: Allow bars to cool completely in the pan, then dust generously with powdered sugar. Slice into precise rectangular portions, revealing the vibrant layers of this delectable dessert.

Notes

• Timing Matters: Bake the shortbread crust precisely for 15 minutes to achieve a golden, sturdy foundation without overcooking.
• Blend with Precision: Pulverize strawberries and lemon ingredients until completely smooth for a silky, uniform filling texture.
• Cooling is Crucial: Let bars cool entirely in the pan to help them set properly and develop a more stable, rich consistency.
• Powdered Sugar Finish: Dust with powdered sugar just before serving to maintain the crisp, elegant coating and enhance visual appeal.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 37-40 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks, Drinks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 17 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg