Strawberry Lemonade Bars

Featured in: Light Sweet Maple Treats

These bars feature a tangy and sweet strawberry lemonade filling layered atop a buttery shortbread crust. The shortbread crust is baked until lightly golden, providing a crisp base. Fresh strawberries are pureed and combined with lemon juice, zest, eggs, and sugar to create a bright, flavorful filling that is poured over the hot crust and baked until set. Once cooled and chilled, the bars are sliced into squares and optionally dusted with powdered sugar, making them an ideal treat for spring and summer gatherings.

Updated on Fri, 13 Mar 2026 00:04:24 GMT
Strawberry Lemonade Bars with Shortbread Crust: bright pink bars with a buttery golden base, topped with a tangy lemon-strawberry filling, dusted lightly with powdered sugar for a refreshing summer dessert. Save
Strawberry Lemonade Bars with Shortbread Crust: bright pink bars with a buttery golden base, topped with a tangy lemon-strawberry filling, dusted lightly with powdered sugar for a refreshing summer dessert. | maplelumen.com

Tangy, sweet strawberry lemonade filling atop a buttery shortbread crust—these bars are a refreshing, crowd-pleasing treat perfect for spring and summer gatherings.

Strawberry Lemonade Bars with Shortbread Crust: bright pink bars with a buttery golden base, topped with a tangy lemon-strawberry filling, dusted lightly with powdered sugar for a refreshing summer dessert. Save
Strawberry Lemonade Bars with Shortbread Crust: bright pink bars with a buttery golden base, topped with a tangy lemon-strawberry filling, dusted lightly with powdered sugar for a refreshing summer dessert. | maplelumen.com

These bars bring a delightful brightness to any dessert spread, with their vibrant pink filling and melt-in-your-mouth crust. The subtle tartness from the lemon juice and zest complements the natural sweetness of fresh strawberries, making each bite a refreshing experience. Enjoy them chilled for clean slicing and the best texture.

Ingredients

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  • For the Shortbread Crust
  • 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
  • 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • For the Strawberry Lemonade Filling
  • 1 cup (150 g) fresh strawberries, hulled and diced
  • 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1/3 cup (80 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
  • 1 tbsp finely grated lemon zest
  • 1/3 cup (40 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • For Topping
  • Powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8-inch (20x20 cm) baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal.
2. In a medium bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar for the crust until light and fluffy. Add flour and salt, mixing until a soft dough forms.
3. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan, smoothing the surface. Bake for 18–20 minutes, until lightly golden.
4. While the crust bakes, puree the diced strawberries in a blender or food processor until smooth. Strain through a fine sieve to remove seeds, if desired.
5. 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.
6. Once the crust is baked, remove from oven and pour the strawberry lemonade filling evenly over the hot crust.
7. Return to the oven and bake for 20–22 minutes, or until the center is just set and no longer jiggles.
8. Allow to cool completely in the pan on a rack, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours for clean slicing.
9. Lift bars from the pan using the parchment overhang. Cut into 16 squares and dust with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.

Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung

For brighter flavor, use freshly squeezed lemon juice. This ensures the lemon notes are fresh and vibrant, balancing the sweetness of the strawberries beautifully.

Varianten und Anpassungen

Swap strawberries for raspberries or blueberries for a different twist in flavor and color. Each berry will bring its own unique sweetness and slight tartness to the bars, keeping the refreshing character intact.

Serviervorschläge

Keep bars refrigerated for up to 4 days in an airtight container to maintain freshness. Serve chilled and optionally dusted with powdered sugar for an elegant touch. Perfect for picnics or as a light dessert after meals.

Save
| maplelumen.com

With their perfect balance of tangy and sweet flavors atop a rich buttery crust, these strawberry lemonade bars are sure to brighten up any dessert table. Easy to make and delightful to eat, they’re a must-try for all seasons.

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Strawberry Lemonade Bars

Tangy strawberry lemonade filling on a buttery shortbread crust for a refreshing summer treat.

Prep Time
20 minutes
Cook Time
40 minutes
Overall Duration
60 minutes
Created by Zoe Collins


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine American

Portion 16 Portions

Dietary Details Meat-Free

What You'll 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

01 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and diced
02 1 cup granulated sugar
03 3 large eggs
04 1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
05 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
06 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
07 1/4 teaspoon salt

Topping

01 Powdered sugar for dusting, optional

How To Make It

Step 01

Prepare Pan and Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on sides for easy removal.

Step 02

Make Shortbread Crust: In a medium bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in flour and salt until a soft dough forms.

Step 03

Bake Crust: Press dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan, smoothing the surface. Bake for 18-20 minutes until lightly golden.

Step 04

Prepare Strawberry Puree: While crust bakes, puree diced strawberries in a blender or food processor until smooth. Strain through a fine mesh sieve to remove seeds if desired.

Step 05

Combine Filling Ingredients: 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.

Step 06

Add Filling to Crust: Remove baked crust from oven and pour strawberry lemonade filling evenly over the hot crust.

Step 07

Bake Filled Bars: Return pan to oven and bake for 20-22 minutes until the center is just set and no longer jiggles.

Step 08

Cool and Chill: Allow bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours for clean slicing.

Step 09

Cut and Serve: Lift bars from pan using parchment overhang. Cut into 16 squares and dust with powdered sugar before serving if desired.

Gear Needed

  • 8x8-inch baking pan
  • Mixing bowls
  • Electric mixer or whisk
  • Blender or food processor
  • Fine mesh sieve
  • Parchment paper

Allergy Details

Review all ingredients for allergens and speak with your health provider if you’re unsure.
  • Contains wheat and gluten
  • Contains eggs
  • Contains milk from butter

Nutrition Details (per portion)

Provided for informational purposes—always consult your health advisor.
  • Energy (Calories): 190
  • Total Fat: 8 grams
  • Total Carbs: 28 grams
  • Proteins: 2 grams

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