Strawberry Shortcake Cookie Bars
⏱️ Prep Time: 20 minutes • 🍳 Cook Time: 25 minutes
These strawberry shortcake cookie bars are my go-to for outdoor hangs and lazy park afternoons. They hold their shape, aren’t too sticky, and taste like the best part of summer. A buttery vanilla cookie base, a jammy strawberry layer, and a soft golden crumble on top — they’re nostalgic, sweet, and totally picnic-perfect.
Golden strawberry cookie bars
The real charm of these bars is how unfussy they are. You don’t need a mixer or any special tools, just a bowl, a baking dish, and your favorite fruit jam. I used strawberry to keep that classic shortcake vibe, but raspberry or peach would also be delicious. They pack beautifully in parchment-lined containers, and you can cut them as big or as small as you like — ideal for sharing or sneaking an extra piece when no one’s looking.
I love bringing these to potlucks or park hangs because they’re easy to grab and go, but still feel homemade and special. They’re sturdy enough to travel without getting smushed, and honestly, they taste even better the next day. Plus, the vanilla glaze adds just the right touch of sweetness without melting in the sun (no frosting mess here!).
One tip: if you're prepping ahead, wait to drizzle the glaze until the bars have cooled completely. You can even bring a little jar of glaze with you and do a fun drizzle moment on-site. It’s the little things that make picnic food feel thoughtful — and these bars deliver every time.
🍽️ Servings: 12 • 🔥 Calories/Serving: 240
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
2¼ cups all-purpose flour
½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
¾ cup strawberry jam or preserves
½ cup diced fresh strawberries (optional but delicious)
For the vanilla glaze:
½ cup powdered sugar
1½ tbsp milk
¼ tsp vanilla extract
Steps
Step 1
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8x8 or 9x9 baking dish with parchment paper.
Step 2
In a bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until smooth.
Step 3
Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined.
Step 4
Add the flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir until a soft dough forms.
Step 5
Press 2/3 of the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
Step 6
Spread the strawberry jam over the dough, then sprinkle with fresh strawberries if using.
Step 7
Crumble the remaining dough over the top in small chunks for a crumbly finish.
Step 8
Bake for 25–28 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden and set. Let cool completely in the pan before lifting out and slicing into bars.
Step 9
In a small bowl, whisk together the glaze ingredients, then drizzle over the cooled bars.
Make it your own!
🍑 Swap the fruit
Try peach preserves, raspberry jam, or blueberry compote for a twist on the classic.
🌾 Go gluten-free
Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend to keep things picnic-friendly for everyone.
🍋 Add lemon zest
Stir 1 tsp lemon zest into the dough for a fresh, citrusy pop.
🧁 Make it extra sweet
Add ¼ cup white chocolate chips to the crumble topping for a bakery-style vibe.
Try it with…
Did you make this recipe?
Did you add a unique twist? Did your family enjoy it? Share your thoughts and any customizations you made in the comments below.
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