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Strawberry Crumb Bars – a buttery short bread crust with fresh strawberries and a crumb topping. They are a must for fresh summer berries!
These bars go by quite a few different names, but in our house they are strawberry crumb bars. You may call them streusel bars, oatmeal bars, or even strawberry crumble bars. But it really doesn’t matter what you call them, they are a must make when you can get your hands on fresh summer berries!
This recipe was originally posted on the blog the summer of 2011, right after I started blogging. And they have been on repeat every summer since. Fresh strawberries just make this dessert shine!
These strawberry crumble bars start off with an almost shortbread like crust that just blends with the strawberries and melts in your mouth. If you are going strawberry picking, be sure to pick a few extra strawberries, because you do not want to miss these!
What You’ll Need To Make These
See the full recipe card below for the measurements and actual recipe.
- All-Purpose Flour
- Granulated Sugar
- Salt
- Butter – I always use unsalted butter in baking
- Brown Sugar
- Quick Cooking Oats
- Strawberry Jam – if you have Homemade Strawberry Jelly this would also be a great use for it!
- Strawberries – you could make this with frozen berries, but fresh berries are ideal for this recipe.
- Lemon Juice
What Type Of Strawberries To Use
Fresh – The best option for these is to use fresh strawberries. If you can get them from the farmers market or even pick them yourself, you will get the absolute best flavor. But the ones from the grocery store still make darn tasty bars.
Frozen – This recipe definitely works with frozen, it just isn’t quite as good. If that what you use, make sure to thaw the berries first and drain away any liquid before using them.
Variety – You really can mix it up and use whatever berry you have or is your favorite. If you love raspberries, use raspberries and raspberry jam like these Raspberry Crumble Bars. Or do a mix of different berries. Trust me, it will all be delicious!
How To Make Strawberry Crumb Bars
- Make Crust. I like to use a stand mixer for this, because it is just easier. Combine the flour, sugar, and salt in the mixer and with it on low slowly add in the cubes of butter. Once it is the consistency of damp sand, press it into the bottom of a 13×9 inch baking dish.
- Cook Crust. Bake the crust for about 14 minutes until the edges just start to get golden brown. It will continue to cook with the rest of the bars, so just a very light golden brown is all you need.
- Make Crumb Topping. Meanwhile, you can make the crumb topping by using your fingers to mix together the brown sugar, oats, and some of the reserved flour mixture.
- Combine Berry Filling. In a bowl mix together the strawberry jam, chopped strawberries and lemon juice until it is nice and combined.
- Assemble. Remove the crust from the oven and spread the strawberry mixture evenly over the top. Sprinkle over the crumb topping in a nice evenly layer.
- Bake. Place the pan back in the oven and bake it for another 25 minutes until the filling is hot and bubbly and the crust is golden brown. Remove and let it cool completely before slicing.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Fresh strawberries are really the best thing to use in this recipe. Frozen will work, but they won’t be as sweet or delicious.
- An electric mixer does a great job of getting the crust to come together. Just make sure the butter is nice and cold, so your shortbread bakes up nicely.
- The crumb topping calls for quick cooking oats. Old fashioned will work, but I like the texture of the quick cooking. It isn’t quite as thick this way, and the bars are just softer.
- Let the bars cool. These bars are best at room temperature, so let them cool before slicing. They will also come out better and not fall apart once they have cooled.
More Strawberry Dessert Recipes
- Strawberry Brownies
- Strawberry Bread
- Strawberry Milkshakes
- Strawberry Poke Cake
- Strawberry Cheesecake Lasagna
Strawberry Crumb Bars
Ingredients
- 2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup Butter – cut into 1/2 inch pieces
- + 2 Tbls butter
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup Quick Cooking Oats
- 1 cup strawberry jelly or jam
- 1 1/2 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a 13×9 in pan with non stick spray.
- In electric mixer stir together flour, sugar and salt.2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour, 2/3 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt
- With the mixer on a low speed add the 1 cup of butter, 1 piece at a time. Continue mixing until combined, it takes about 1 to 1 1/2 minutes. It will be the consistency of damp sand. Set aside 1 1/4 cup of this mixture to use in step 4. .1 cup Butter – cut into 1/2 inch pieces
- Press the remaining flour mixture firmly into the bottom of the pan. Bake at 375º F for 14 minutes. The edges will be slightly browned.
- Meanwhile, combine brown sugar, oats, and the reserved flour mixture. With your fingers, work in the remaining 2 Tablespoons of butter, until it is in small clumps.1/4 cup light brown sugar, 1/2 cup Quick Cooking Oats, + 2 Tbls butter
- Combine the jelly, chopped strawberries and the lemon juice in a small bowl. Mash with a fork to combine. Be sure to leave some chunks of berries in there.1 cup strawberry jelly or jam, 1 1/2 cup fresh strawberries, 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- Spread filling evenly over the hot crust. Sprinkle with the streusel topping over the strawberries.
- Bake for 22 to 25 minutes. The crust will be brown, and the filling will be bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and cool completely before slicing.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Your bars look delicious! My husband loves anything strawberries so I am definitely going to give these a try!
Terri Henkels – Easy Life Meal & Party Planning
http://www.easylifemealandpartyplanning
I’m starting to bring back posts too and I am so glad you redid these. They look amazing.
I love crumb bars, these look so good!
Love this recipe! Anything with Strawberry is one of my favorites!
Pinned to my Dessert board to make soon!
Thanks!
I need a few of these squares!
These bars sound amazing. I love strawberry fruit bars. 🙂
Love crumb bars and strawberry is one of my all time favorite fruits so of course I would love to dive into these bars.
Can’t go wrong with crumb bars in the summer! Totally worth re-posting!
So glad I found this (via Pinterest). I made them for an afternoon treat at our summer BBQ yesterday and everyone loved them!
Thanks so much for the recipe 🙂
I am so glad you liked them!! They are one of my husbands all time favorite desserts!
Yum – I stumbled by to see these – and now I am craving strawberry bars for dinner!!