Strawberry Crumb Bars with Meyer Lemon Glaze

Strawberry Crumb Bars with Meyer Lemon Glaze

These Strawberry Crumb Bars are a delightful treat, combining a buttery crumb base with fresh strawberries, all topped with a zesty Meyer lemon glaze for an added burst of flavor!

Ingredients:

For the Crumb Bars:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, melted (2 sticks)
• 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
• 2 tablespoons sugar (for strawberries)
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)

For the Meyer Lemon Glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons Meyer lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Meyer lemon zest

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Strawberries:

• In a bowl, combine the sliced strawberries with 2 tablespoons of sugar and cornstarch (if using). Toss to coat and set aside to macerate for about 15 minutes.

2. Make the Crumb Base:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt.
• Pour in the melted butter and mix until crumbly.

3. Layer the Bars:

• Press about two-thirds of the crumb mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form the base.
• Spread the macerated strawberries evenly over the crumb base.
• Crumble the remaining one-third of the mixture over the top of the strawberries.

4. Bake:

• Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the strawberries are bubbly.
• Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely in the baking dish on a wire rack.

5. Prepare the Meyer Lemon Glaze:

• In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, Meyer lemon juice, and zest until smooth. Adjust the consistency with more lemon juice or powdered sugar if necessary.

6. Drizzle and Serve:

• Once the bars are completely cooled, drizzle the Meyer lemon glaze over the top.
• Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan. Cut into squares and serve.

Tips:

• Storage: Store the crumb bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
• Serving suggestion: These bars are delicious on their own or served with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Enjoy the sweet and tangy flavors of these Strawberry Crumb Bars with a refreshing Meyer lemon glaze!