Strawberry Lemonade Bars Recipe

Perfect Strawberry Lemonade Bars Recipe: Sweet Summer Bliss!

Sweet strawberry lemonade bars blend tangy citrus with luscious berry flavors in a delightful dessert that captures summer’s essence.

Bright, refreshing ingredients reimagine ordinary baking into an extraordinary culinary experience.

These vibrant bars offer a perfect balance between zesty and sweet notes that dance across your palate.

Homemade treats like these elevate simple ingredients into memorable moments of pure deliciousness.

Rich, buttery crusts provide a delicate foundation for the vivid filling that bursts with fruity brightness.

Delicate layers create a harmonious combination of textures that tantalize taste buds and spark joy.

You’ll love how simple yet impressive these bars can be for any gathering or personal indulgence.

Strawberry Lemonade Bars Are the Zesty Treat You Need

  • Create Vibrant Flavor Fusion: These strawberry lemonade bars blend tangy lemon and sweet strawberries into a perfectly balanced dessert that dances on your taste buds with bright, refreshing notes.
  • Enjoy Simple Gourmet Preparation: The recipe requires basic kitchen skills, making it accessible for home bakers of all levels while delivering impressive restaurant-quality results that will wow family and friends.
  • Experience Texture Perfection: Expect a crisp, buttery shortbread-style crust complemented by a silky-smooth fruity filling that creates an irresistible contrast in every single bite of these delightful bars.
  • Summer Party Showstopper: These colorful bars are ideal for picnics, potlucks, and backyard gatherings, offering a crowd-pleasing dessert that looks elegant and tastes incredible with minimal preparation time.

Key Ingredients in Strawberry Lemonade Bars

Base Ingredients:
  • Butter: Creamy foundation for a rich, tender crust with a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
  • Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a crisp, golden crust.
  • Flour: Provides structure and helps bind the crust together.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness.
Filling Ingredients:
  • Lemon Juice, Lemon Zest: Bright, tangy citrus base that gives the bars a fresh, zesty flavor profile.
  • Strawberries: Fresh fruit that adds natural sweetness and vibrant color to the filling.
  • Sugar: Sweetens the filling and helps create a smooth, glossy texture.
  • Eggs: Bind the filling and provide a rich, custard-like consistency.
  • Flour, Baking Powder: Help stabilize and thicken the filling, ensuring proper set.
  • Salt: Balances and enhances the overall flavor.
Finishing Ingredient:
  • Powdered Sugar: Light, delicate topping that adds a sweet, decorative finish to the bars.

How to Bake Strawberry Lemonade Bars from Scratch

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Station

Warm up the oven to 350°F. Grab a 9×13-inch pan and line it with:
  • Foil
  • Parchment paper

Spray the surface with non-stick cooking spray.

Step 2: Create the Crumbly Crust

In a mixing bowl, blend:
  • Softened butter
  • Sugar
Mix until the texture becomes light and fluffy. Gradually fold in:
  • Flour
  • Salt

Press the dough evenly across the pan, ensuring a smooth, flat surface.

Step 3: Bake the Crust Foundation

Slide the pan into the oven. Bake for 15 minutes until the edges turn a soft golden color. This creates a sturdy base for the fruity topping.

Step 4: Whip Up the Vibrant Filling

In a blender, combine:
  • Fresh lemon juice
  • Lemon zest
  • Chopped strawberries
  • Sugar
Blend until smooth. Add eggs and mix again. Incorporate:
  • Flour
  • Baking powder
  • Salt

Blend until the mixture becomes silky and well-combined.

Step 5: Layer and Bake the Bars

Pour the strawberry-lemon mixture over the hot crust. Return to the oven for 22-25 minutes. Look for a dry top with a slight golden hint.

Step 6: Cool and Decorate

Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. Dust generously with powdered sugar. Slice into delectable squares and serve!

Tips to Perfect Your Strawberry Lemonade Bars

  • Zest Like a Pro: Carefully grate only the bright yellow part of the lemon, avoiding the bitter white pith for maximum flavor intensity.
  • Smooth Filling Trick: Strain the strawberry-lemon mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to remove seeds and achieve a silky, luxurious texture.
  • Prevent Soggy Bottoms: Allow the crust to cool slightly before adding the filling to maintain a crisp, golden base.
  • Perfect Cut Technique: Refrigerate the bars for at least an hour before slicing to get clean, precise edges and prevent crumbling.
  • Sugar Dusting Magic: Use a fine-mesh strainer to evenly distribute powdered sugar, creating a picture-perfect finishing touch that looks professionally decorated.

Storing and Enjoying Strawberry Lemonade Bars Later

  • Refrigerate: Store leftover strawberry lemonade bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking and maintain their delicate texture.
  • Freeze: Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. These bars can be frozen for up to 3 months, preserving their vibrant strawberry-lemon flavor for later enjoyment.
  • Reheat: Thaw frozen bars in the refrigerator overnight. For a fresh-from-the-oven taste, warm briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving.

What to Serve with Strawberry Lemonade Bars

  • Pair with Crisp White Wine: Enhance the tangy sweetness of strawberry lemonade bars with a chilled sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio, which complement the citrusy and fruity notes perfectly.
  • Match with Fresh Mint Tea: Brew a light, refreshing mint tea that balances the dessert's richness and provides a cooling counterpoint to the zesty lemon flavor.
  • Serve alongside Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Scoop creamy vanilla ice cream next to the bars to create a delightful contrast between the cool, smooth dessert and the bright, textured bars.
  • Complement with Sparkling Water: Add a splash of lemon-infused sparkling water to cleanse the palate and highlight the dessert's vibrant citrus undertones.

Creative Spins on Strawberry Lemonade Bars

  • Berry Fusion Bars: Swap strawberries with mixed berries like raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries for a vibrant multi-berry flavor profile.
  • Citrus Splash Variation: Replace lemon with a combination of orange and lime juice to create a zingy, refreshing citrus experience.
  • Tropical Dream Bars: Incorporate diced mango or pineapple into the filling, adding a sweet tropical essence that complements the tangy base.
  • Herb-Infused Edition: Finely chop fresh mint or basil and mix into the filling for an unexpected herbal note that elevates the traditional strawberry lemonade flavor.
Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Strawberry Lemonade Bars Recipe

Strawberry Lemonade Bars Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 25 reviews

  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Strawberry lemonade bars deliver a perfect summer dessert with tangy citrus and sweet berry notes. Creamy lemon filling nestled on a buttery graham cracker crust promises refreshing flavor that will cool and delight you.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 ¼ cups sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 cup fresh lemon juice
  • ¾ cup chopped strawberries

Crust Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups flour
  • ½ cup butter, room temperature
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Additional Ingredients:

  • 23 teaspoons lemon zest
  • ¼ cup flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • Powdered sugar (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan by lining it with foil or parchment paper, then lightly grease the surface to prevent sticking.
  2. Create the shortbread-style crust by thoroughly mixing butter and sugar until they transform into a light, airy consistency. Fold in flour and salt, working the mixture until it develops a crumbly texture.
  3. Evenly distribute the crust mixture across the prepared pan, using gentle pressure to create a smooth, uniform layer that will serve as the foundation for the bars.
  4. Bake the crust for approximately 15 minutes, allowing the edges to turn a delicate golden hue, which will provide a sturdy base for the vibrant filling.
  5. While the crust bakes, construct the fruity filling by pulverizing fresh strawberries, lemon juice, lemon zest, and sugar in a blender until achieving a silky, uniform consistency.
  6. Incorporate eggs into the strawberry-lemon mixture, blending thoroughly to ensure a smooth integration of ingredients.
  7. Gently introduce flour, baking powder, and salt to the liquid mixture, mixing until the filling reaches a perfectly smooth and well-combined state.
  8. Carefully pour the vivid strawberry-lemon filling over the hot crust, spreading it evenly to create a balanced layer.
  9. Return the pan to the oven and bake for 22-25 minutes, watching for a dry surface and subtle golden tinge that signals the bars are perfectly cooked.
  10. Allow the bars to cool completely within the pan, which helps them set and develop a more robust texture.
  11. Finish by dusting the cooled bars generously with powdered sugar, creating a sweet, elegant topping that complements the tangy fruit flavors.
  12. Slice into precise rectangular portions and serve, showcasing the beautiful layers and vibrant colors of these delightful strawberry lemonade bars.

Notes

  • Transforming tangy lemons and sweet strawberries into a delightful dessert bar requires precision and passion for baking.
  • Capturing summer’s essence, these bars blend bright citrus notes with luscious berry undertones for a refreshing treat.
  • Perfectly balanced between crisp crust and silky filling, the recipe promises a mouthwatering experience that delights taste buds with every bite.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks, Drinks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 245
  • Sugar: 30 g
  • Sodium: 63 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 75 mg
Isabella Rossi

Isabella Rossi

Founder & Culinary Content Creator

Expertise

Recipe Development​, Traditional Irish and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education​

Education

Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) – School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology

  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development.​

Ballymaloe Cookery School

  • Program: 12-Week Certificate Course
  • Focus: Intensive, hands-on experience emphasizing farm-to-table cooking and sustainable practices.​

Liam is the voice behind many of Craft Meats’ most flavorful features. With roots in Dublin’s smoky barbecue scene and a culinary degree from the Dublin Institute of Technology, he brings time-tested cooking techniques to life. 

His training at Ballymaloe Cookery School sharpened his farm-to-table approach, giving him a deep respect for every ingredient he writes about.

He’s not about overcomplicating the process, just helping you cook meat that’s worth talking about. When he’s not writing or grilling, he’s out foraging or nerding out on regional spice blends to add to his next recipe.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star