Description
Make rich, buttery shortbread bars layered with fresh strawberries and topped with a bright lemon glaze. This recipe yields a delightful, tender dessert perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 pound fresh strawberries, hulled and quartered
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for strawberries)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar (for glaze)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (for glaze)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
- Prepare the shortbread base: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1/2 cup sugar until light and fluffy.
- Gradually mix in the flour and salt until a crumbly dough forms. Press two-thirds of this dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Bake the crust for 15 minutes until lightly golden.
- While the crust bakes, prepare the filling: In a medium bowl, gently toss the quartered strawberries with 1/4 cup sugar, cornstarch, and lemon zest.
- Remove the crust from the oven. Spread the strawberry mixture evenly over the partially baked crust.
- Crumble the remaining one-third of the shortbread dough over the strawberry layer.
- Return the pan to the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
- Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
- Prepare the glaze: Whisk together the powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled bars.
- Once the glaze sets, lift the bars out using the parchment overhang and cut into squares.
Notes
- For a slightly firmer shortbread, chill the dough for 30 minutes before pressing it into the pan.
- If your strawberries are very juicy, you may need to add an extra teaspoon of cornstarch to the filling.
- You can substitute lime juice for lemon juice in the glaze for a different citrus flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 45 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 15
- Sodium: 55
- Fat: 13
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Unsaturated Fat: 5
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 24
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 2
- Cholesterol: 35