Irresistible Strawberry Lemon Bars: Your Ultimate Guide to Sweet-Tart Perfection

Prepare to be enchanted by these delightful Strawberry Lemon Bars! This recipe marries a perfectly tender, buttery shortbread-style crust with a luscious, sweet, and wonderfully tart strawberry lemon filling. Dusted with a delicate layer of powdered sugar just before serving, these bars transform into a top-tier dessert, making them ideal for outdoor gatherings, family picnics, or any occasion that calls for a burst of fresh, fruity flavor. Each bite offers a harmonious balance of zesty lemon and sweet strawberry, creating an unforgettable treat that’s both vibrant and comforting.

My journey into the world of lemon desserts began with classic lemon bars, and their bright, zesty appeal instantly captivated me. That passion inspired me to elevate the traditional recipe, leading to this ultimate strawberry version. What makes these bars truly special is their incredible simplicity. You won’t need a stand mixer or any fancy equipment – the creamy strawberry lemon filling comes together effortlessly in a blender or food processor, making this a truly accessible recipe for bakers of all skill levels.

If you’re craving a strawberry dessert that leans more towards the sweet side, rather than tart, you might love my classic Strawberry Crumb Bars. For a refreshing, frosty berry treat that’s absolutely perfect on a sweltering hot afternoon, don’t miss out on my dairy-free Strawberry Sorbet. However, if it’s that perfect blend of sweet and tangy you seek, these strawberry lemon bars are precisely what you need.

Why These Strawberry Lemon Bars Will Become Your New Favorite

These aren’t just any dessert bars; they’re a celebration of summer flavors and baking simplicity. Here’s why you’ll find yourself falling in love with this recipe:

• Effortlessly Delicious: You can whip up this incredible recipe in about an hour, using only a few basic, readily available ingredients and straightforward steps. It’s perfect for when you need a show-stopping dessert without spending all day in the kitchen.
• Explosion of Flavor: Each bite is a delightful burst of fresh fruit flavor combined with an invigorating lemony zing. The sweet strawberries beautifully complement the tart lemon, creating an unexpectedly complex and utterly tasty treat that will tantalize your taste buds.
• Visually Stunning: The vibrant pink hue of the strawberry filling makes this dessert a real showstopper. It instantly brightens up any dessert table, inviting everyone to indulge in its colorful charm.
• Perfect for Sharing (and Freezing!): These bars are excellent for sharing at family picnics, barbecues, potlucks, or any gathering. Plus, they’re freezer-friendly, meaning you can easily make an extra batch to keep on hand for unexpected guests or future cravings.
• Clever Use of Produce: If you find yourself with an abundance of fresh strawberries after a trip to the farmer’s market, this recipe is a fantastic and delicious way to use them up, preventing food waste and ensuring peak flavor.
• Crowd-Pleaser Guaranteed: The universally loved combination of strawberry and lemon ensures these bars will be a hit with everyone, from kids to adults. They offer a delightful twist on classic lemon bars, making them feel fresh and exciting.
• Simple Ingredients, Amazing Results: Despite their sophisticated flavor, the ingredients are common pantry staples, proving that extraordinary desserts don’t require exotic components.

Key Ingredients for Perfect Strawberry Lemon Bars

For the exact measurements and full instructions, make sure to scroll to the bottom of the post for the COMPLETE PRINTABLE recipe card.

For The Tender Shortbread Crust:

• All-Purpose Flour: This forms the essential structure of our shortbread crust, providing that desired tender, crumbly texture. Using good quality flour is key for a delicate base.
• Powdered Sugar: Not only does powdered sugar sweeten the crust, but its fine texture also contributes to an incredibly tender, melt-in-your-mouth consistency that granulated sugar can’t quite achieve.
• Cold Butter: Unsalted butter, cut into small cubes and kept cold, is crucial for a flaky and rich shortbread crust. The cold butter prevents overmixing and creates pockets of steam during baking, leading to a superior texture.

For The Vibrant Strawberry Lemon Filling:

• Frozen Strawberries: These are a fantastic choice for consistent flavor and color year-round. They provide a wonderful, concentrated strawberry essence to the filling. You can certainly use fresh strawberries if they are in season and ripe!
• Fresh Lemon Zest: This is where a significant part of that bright, aromatic lemon flavor comes from. The zest contains the essential oils of the lemon, adding a deep, fragrant citrus note that balances the sweetness. Always zest before juicing!
• Fresh Lemon Juice: Absolutely essential for the signature tartness. Freshly squeezed lemon juice will always give your bars a superior, brighter, and more authentic taste compared to bottled varieties. Since you’re zesting fresh lemons anyway, juicing them is the natural next step!
• Large Eggs: Eggs serve a dual purpose here: they act as a binding agent, helping to thicken the filling to a perfect custardy consistency, and they contribute to the richness and smooth texture, ensuring the bars are easy to slice cleanly.
• Granulated Sugar: This sweetens the tangy lemon and strawberry, creating that irresistible sweet-tart balance that defines these bars. It also helps with the overall texture and freshness of the filling.
• All-Purpose Flour: A small amount of flour is added to the filling to help stabilize and thicken it, preventing it from being too runny and ensuring it sets beautifully for clean cuts.
• Baking Powder: A touch of baking powder helps to lighten up the filling slightly, giving it a less dense, more appealing texture that contrasts wonderfully with the crust.
• Powdered Sugar for Dusting: An optional but highly recommended final flourish that adds a touch of elegance and an extra hint of sweetness.

How To Create Your Delicious Strawberry Lemon Bars

Making these gorgeous bars is straightforward, even for novice bakers. Follow these simple steps for perfect results every time:

• Prepare Your Pan & Oven: First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 13×9 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides. This simple step is a game-changer for easy removal and cleanup! Lightly grease the pan first to help the parchment stick.
• Craft the Crust: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, powdered sugar, and cubed cold butter. Using your hands or a pastry blender, work the ingredients together until the mixture resembles wet sand and can hold together when squeezed. Avoid overmixing, as this can lead to a tough crust. Press this dough evenly and firmly into the bottom of your prepared baking pan.
• Par-Bake the Crust: Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until it’s lightly golden brown around the edges and appears set. Remove it from the oven and set it aside to cool slightly while you prepare the filling.
• Blend the Berry Filling: While the crust is baking, combine the fresh lemon juice and frozen (or fresh) strawberries in a blender or food processor. Blend until the mixture is completely smooth and no large chunks remain.
• Combine Filling Ingredients: To the strawberry-lemon puree, add the granulated sugar, eggs, and lemon zest. Blend again until all ingredients are well incorporated and the mixture is smooth and uniform.
• Thicken the Filling: Finally, add the remaining all-purpose flour and baking powder to the mixture. Blend one last time until everything is just combined and smooth. Be careful not to overmix at this stage.
• Bake the Bars to Perfection: Carefully pour the strawberry lemon filling over the warm, par-baked crust in your pan. Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 25-30 minutes. The bars are ready when the filling is completely set in the middle and no longer jiggles when you gently shake the pan.
• Cool Completely: This step is crucial for perfect bars! Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature, and then ideally chill them in the refrigerator for at least 2-3 hours (or even overnight). This cooling and chilling process ensures the filling sets properly, making them much easier to cut into neat squares.
• Serve with a Flourish: Once fully cooled and set, lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang. Dust generously with powdered sugar just before slicing and serving. Enjoy your homemade masterpiece!

Recipe Tips & Delicious Variations

Achieving bakery-quality strawberry lemon bars is easy with a few insider tips and creative variations:

• The Parchment Paper Trick: We’ve already mentioned it, but it bears repeating: lining your greased baking dish with parchment paper (with an overhang) is the secret to effortlessly removing the bars and making cleanup a breeze. Don’t skip this step!
• Cold Butter for the Crust: Ensure your butter for the crust is very cold and cut into small cubes. This is critical for achieving that signature tender, crumbly shortbread texture. Warm butter will melt too quickly and result in a greasy, dense crust.
• Don’t Overmix the Crust Dough: When combining the crust ingredients, mix just until it comes together. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can lead to a tough and chewy crust instead of a tender, crumbly one. You can use a pastry blender or even pulse it briefly in a food processor before pressing.
• Crust Temperature Matters (But Don’t Stress Too Much): While the crust shouldn’t be piping hot when you pour the filling over it, it’s perfectly acceptable for it to still be warm. The key is that it’s par-baked and slightly cooled, not fresh out of the oven and sizzling.
• Achieving Clean Slices: The secret to perfectly neat squares? Chill your baked bars thoroughly in the refrigerator for at least 2-3 hours, or even overnight, before cutting. A warm filling will squish and stick. Use a sharp knife, wiping it clean between each cut for the cleanest edges.
• Adjust Sweetness and Tartness: If you prefer a less tart bar, you can slightly reduce the lemon juice or increase the sugar in the filling to your taste. Conversely, for an extra citrus kick, add a bit more zest!
• Experiment with Different Berry Flavors: Feel free to get creative with other berries! Raspberries, blackberries, or a mixed berry blend would be fantastic for a unique twist on this recipe. Each fruit will lend its own distinct flavor and beautiful color.
• A Hint of Vanilla: A teaspoon of pure vanilla extract added to the filling can deepen the overall flavor profile and add a comforting warmth to the bright fruit notes.
• Toasted Coconut Topping: For an extra layer of texture and flavor, sprinkle some toasted coconut flakes over the powdered sugar just before serving. It complements the fruit beautifully.

How To Store Your Strawberry Lemon Bars

Proper storage is key to keeping your delicious bars fresh and enjoyable for longer:

• Room Temperature: Due to the egg-based filling, it’s best to avoid keeping these bars at room temperature for longer than 3 hours. Always err on the side of caution with egg-rich desserts.
• Refrigerate: For optimal freshness, store your strawberry lemon bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Chilling them also helps maintain their firm, sliceable texture.
• Freeze: These bars freeze beautifully! To freeze, first cut the bars into individual servings. Place them uncovered on a sheet tray in the freezer for a couple of hours until solid. Once frozen, stack them in an airtight freezer-proof container with wax paper or parchment paper between the layers to prevent sticking. They can be stored for up to 3 months. If freezing the entire slab in its baking tray, double-wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.

More Irresistible Strawberry Dessert Recipes to Explore

If you’re a fan of fresh strawberries, you’ll love these other fantastic recipes:

• Creamy Strawberry Milkshakes
• Moist Strawberry Poke Cake
• Decadent Strawberry Cheesecake Lasagna
• Classic Strawberry Crumb Bars
• Fudgy Strawberry Brownies
• Refreshing Fresh Strawberry Pie
• Comforting Strawberry Crumble

5 from 3 votes

Strawberry Lemonade Bars

By
Erin Sellin

Strawberry lemon bars start with a tender, shortbread-style crust topped with a sweet, tart strawberry lemon filling and dusted with powdered sugar.

Prep:
10 minutes mins

Cook:
50 minutes mins

Total:
1 hour hr

Servings:
24

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Ingredients 

Base Layer (Shortbread Crust)

• ▢ 2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
• ▢ 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• ▢ 1 cup cold butter, cut into cubes

Strawberry Lemon Filling

• ▢ 4 large eggs
• ▢ 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• ▢ 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• ▢ 2 teaspoons lemon zest
• ▢ 1 1/4 cup frozen strawberries
• ▢ 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• ▢ 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• ▢ 2 Tablespoons powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions 

• Preheat oven to 350º F (175°C). Line a 13×9 inch pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy lifting, and lightly spray with non-stick spray. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, combine sifted flour, powdered sugar, and cold, cubed butter. Using your hands or a pastry blender, mix until the mixture comes together like wet sand and holds its shape when pressed. Press the dough evenly and firmly into the prepared baking dish.
• Bake the crust for 20-25 minutes, or until lightly golden brown around the edges. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly while you prepare the filling.
• Meanwhile, in a blender or food processor, combine the lemon juice and frozen (or fresh) strawberries. Blend until completely smooth.
• Add the granulated sugar, eggs, and lemon zest to the strawberry-lemon mixture. Blend again until all ingredients are well incorporated and the mixture is smooth.
• Add the remaining 1/4 cup all-purpose flour and baking powder. Pulse or blend briefly until just incorporated; avoid overmixing.
• Pour the vibrant strawberry lemon filling over the par-baked crust. Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 25-30 minutes, or until the filling is completely set in the middle and no longer jiggly.
• Remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool completely at room temperature, then chill in the refrigerator for at least 2-3 hours (or overnight) before dusting with powdered sugar and slicing into squares for serving.

Notes

You can use fresh strawberries for this recipe, especially when they are in season for the best flavor. Ensure they are ripe and sweet.

Nutrition

Serving: 24Servings |
Calories: 188kcal |
Carbohydrates: 26g |
Protein: 2g |
Fat: 9g |
Saturated Fat: 5g |
Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g |
Cholesterol: 51mg |
Sodium: 84mg |
Fiber: 1g |
Sugar: 16g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Author:
Erin Sellin

Prep Time:
10 minutes minutes

Cook Time:
50 minutes minutes

Total Time:
1 hour hour

Course:
Dessert Recipes

Cuisine:
American

Servings:
24

Calories:
188

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