Strawberry Lemonade Bars Shortbread (Printable)

Tangy strawberry lemonade atop a buttery shortbread base offers a refreshing, crowd-pleasing treat.

# What you need:

→ Shortbread Crust

01 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
02 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
03 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
04 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Strawberry Lemonade Filling

05 - 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and diced
06 - 1 cup granulated sugar
07 - 3 large eggs
08 - 1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice, approximately 2 lemons
09 - 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
10 - 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
11 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Topping

12 - Powdered sugar for dusting, optional

# How to make it:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on all sides for easy removal.
02 - In a medium bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add flour and salt, mixing until a soft dough forms.
03 - Press dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan, smoothing the surface. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until lightly golden.
04 - While the crust bakes, puree diced strawberries in a blender or food processor until smooth. Strain through a fine mesh sieve to remove seeds if desired.
05 - In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, and strawberry puree until fully combined. Add flour and salt, whisking until smooth.
06 - Once the crust is baked, remove from oven and pour the strawberry lemonade filling evenly over the hot crust.
07 - Return to the oven and bake for 20 to 22 minutes until the center is just set and no longer jiggles.
08 - Allow to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours for clean slicing.
09 - Lift bars from the pan using the parchment overhang. Cut into 16 squares and dust with powdered sugar before serving if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors that refreshes the palate
  • Buttery shortbread crust provides a rich, melt-in-your-mouth base
  • Beautiful pink color makes it a stunning addition to any dessert table
  • Easy to make with simple, everyday ingredients
  • Ideal for spring and summer gatherings, picnics, and celebrations
  • Can be made ahead and refrigerated for convenient entertaining
02 -
  • Use room temperature butter for the crust to ensure it creams properly and creates a tender, flaky texture
  • Pour the filling over the hot crust immediately after baking—this helps the layers bond together
  • Don't overbake the filling; it should be just set with a slight jiggle in the center when you remove it from the oven
  • Allow the bars to cool completely before refrigerating to prevent condensation from making the crust soggy
  • For the cleanest cuts, chill the bars thoroughly and use a sharp knife wiped clean between each slice
  • Dust with powdered sugar just before serving to keep it from dissolving into the filling
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