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If you're looking for the perfect spring and summer dessert, these Strawberry Lemonade Bars are exactly what you need.

They combine the bright, tangy flavor of fresh lemons with the sweetness of ripe strawberries, all layered on top of a buttery lemon shortbread crust.

Finished with a dusting of powdered sugar, they're refreshing, beautiful, and always one of the first desserts to disappear at picnics, cookouts, and family gatherings.

These bars are simple enough for a weekday treat but elegant enough for baby showers, bridal showers, Easter, Mother's Day, or any summer celebration.

Strawberry lemonade bars are made with a shortbread crust, and then strawberry and lemonade ooey gooey center that is completely out of this world.

Why You'll Love These Strawberry Lemonade Bars

• Bright, fresh lemon flavor
• Sweet strawberries in every bite
• Soft, creamy filling
• Buttery homemade crust
• Easy to make with simple ingredients
• Perfect make-ahead dessert
• Great for potlucks, holidays, and summer parties

Ingredients You'll Need

For the Crust

• 1/4 cup Dixie Crystals Sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon Adams Lemon Extract

For the Filling

• 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (about 3 lemons)
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 10 fresh strawberries, hulled
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, plus 1 tablespoon
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

For Garnish

• Powdered sugar
• Fresh strawberry slices (optional)
• Lemon slices (optional)

How to Make Strawberry Lemonade Bars

To make these bars, you really don't need a lot of ingredients. Most of what you have will already be in your pantry — which makes this one of my favorite kinds of desserts to make.

Start by making your crust —

You will need

• 1 stick of butter at room temperature
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 cups of flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon of Adams Lemon Extract.

This is the base of your shortbread crust. Combine it all in a mixing bowl and mix together. It will look so crumbly and like sawdust — pretty dry. But that is okay! That is what you want.

Spray the inside of your pan with non-stick cooking spray and then dump your mixed up crust ingredients into the pan and flatten out to make the crust.

Then bake in the oven for about 15-17 minutes.

While the crust is baking, you can get the filling ready.

In your blender, combine the following —

• Lemon juice and zest
• strawberries
• sugar
• eggs
• flour
• baking powder
• salt

Blend in your blender until it is all smooth and mixed well.

Once the crust is done, remove from the oven and immediately pour your strawberry puree over the top of the hot crust. 

Place back in the oven for 25 minutes or until the middle is set. 

Remove from the oven and allow it to cool completely. Once cooled, dust with powdered sugar. Then you can serve them warm or chill in the refrigerator until ready to eat.

Each bite is so delicious and full of lemon and strawberry flavor. You can serve them with lemon slices or strawberry slices on top.

Tips for the Best Strawberry Lemonade Bars

• Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the brightest flavor.
• Choose ripe, sweet strawberries for the prettiest color and best taste.
• Don't overbake the filling—it should just be set.
• Chill before cutting for clean, bakery-style squares.
• Wipe your knife clean between each cut.

Storage

Store leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Because the filling contains eggs and fresh fruit, refrigeration is recommended.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen strawberries?

Yes. Thaw and drain them well before blending so the filling doesn't become too watery.

Do I have to use fresh lemon juice?

Fresh lemon juice provides the best flavor. Bottled juice will work in a pinch but won't have the same bright, fresh taste.

Why do I pour the filling onto a hot crust?

Pouring the filling onto the warm crust helps the layers bond together and prevents the crust from becoming soggy.

How do I know when the bars are done?

The center should look set and should no longer jiggle when the pan is gently shaken.

Should they be refrigerated?

Yes. Since the filling contains eggs and fresh fruit, store the bars in the refrigerator after they've cooled.

Final Thoughts

These Strawberry Lemonade Bars are everything you want in a warm-weather dessert: buttery, sweet, tangy, and bursting with fresh fruit flavor. The combination of juicy strawberries and bright lemons creates a vibrant filling that's perfectly balanced by the tender lemon shortbread crust.

Whether you're bringing dessert to a backyard barbecue, packing treats for a picnic, or simply craving something fresh and fruity, this easy recipe is sure to become a seasonal favorite that everyone asks for again and again.

Check out these other delicious strawberry desserts!

• Strawberry Lemon Macarons
• The Best Strawberry Cake Balls
• Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes
• Easy Strawberry Pretzel Salad
• Easy Strawberry Buttercream Cake