Strawberry Crumble Bars with Lemon Icing

Strawberry Crumble Bars with Lemon Icing are a delightful dessert that combines juicy strawberries with a crunchy crumble topping. Topped with a bright and zesty lemon icing, these bars are perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a gathering or just treating yourself, this recipe is sure to impress!

Why Make This Recipe

These Strawberry Crumble Bars are easy to make and use fresh ingredients, making them a healthier option compared to store-bought desserts. They are sweet, tart, and have a lovely texture that everyone will enjoy. Plus, they are perfect for sharing with friends and family or for enjoying as a sweet snack throughout the week.

How to Make Strawberry Crumble Bars with Lemon Icing

Ingredients:

2 cups fresh strawberries (hulled and halved if small or quartered if large)
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons lemon juice
Zest of 1 lemon
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
7 tablespoons cold unsalted butter (cubed)
1/2 cup brown sugar (light or dark)
1 large egg (room temperature)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 cup powdered sugar (sifted)
1 cup fresh strawberries (halved)

Directions:

Make the Strawberry Filling: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Toss the hulled strawberries with 3 tablespoons of sugar and lemon juice on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Roast for 17 minutes, stirring halfway through. Once done, transfer the roasted strawberries into a bowl with their liquid. Stir in the vanilla extract, lemon zest, and cornstarch. Lightly mash or chop the berries, then set aside to cool. If you prefer fresh strawberries, mix them with sugar, lemon zest, vanilla, and cornstarch instead of roasting.
Prepare the Crumble Base: Line the bottom of an 8-inch round pan with parchment paper. In a large bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, egg, and vanilla extract. In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Use a pastry cutter or food processor to cut the cold butter into the flour mixture until you get pea-sized crumbs. Combine the flour mixture with the sugar and egg mixture, mixing until just combined.
Assemble the Bars: Press 2/3 of the crumble mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Spread the strawberry filling evenly over the base. Scatter the remaining 1/3 of the crumble mixture over the strawberries by breaking it into small clumps. Add sliced strawberries on top for decoration.
Bake: Bake at 350°F for 25-35 minutes, or until the crust is lightly golden. Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack.
Make the Lemon Icing: Once the bars have cooled, stir together the lemon juice and sifted powdered sugar to create the icing. Drizzle the lemon icing over the entire crumble or over individual slices as desired.

Serving & Storing

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Enjoy these delicious bars cold, or warmed up for an even more delightful treat!

How to Serve Strawberry Crumble Bars with Lemon Icing

Serve the bars at room temperature or slightly warmed. Drizzle the lemon icing over each slice just before serving for an extra touch of sweetness. They make a great dessert on their own, but can also be enjoyed with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream!

How to Store Strawberry Crumble Bars with Lemon Icing

Keep any uneaten bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for about three days. You can also freeze them for up to a month. Just be sure to wrap them well to prevent freezer burn.

Tips to Make Strawberry Crumble Bars with Lemon Icing

Use fresh strawberries for the best flavor, but frozen strawberries can work in a pinch. Just make sure to thaw and drain them first.
Adjust the sugar in the filling to fit your taste preferences, especially if your strawberries are particularly sweet or tart.
If you want an extra crunchy topping, bake the bars a little longer, but watch them closely to avoid burning.

Variation

Feel free to mix in other fruits with the strawberries, such as blueberries or raspberries, for a berry medley crumble. You can also experiment with different icing flavors by adding other citrus juices like lime or orange.

FAQs

1. Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?
Yes, you can use frozen strawberries, but make sure to thaw and drain them before using.

2. How can I make these bars gluten-free?
You can substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make the bars gluten-free.

3. Can I make these bars ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can make the bars a day in advance. Just store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to serve.