Glazed Strawberry Bars
While these Strawberry Bars may be ideal for spring with their pretty pink color, they are perfect for potluck parties, dessert tables, brunch, or dessert for a family dinner.
Nothing says spring like strawberries, and my strawberry rhubarb bars do very well. So I wanted something just as spring-like and found these easy cake mix strawberry bars in my Mom’s recipe collection.
Initially, hers had a buttercream frosting, which I thought was too much for these delicate bars. I mean, buttercream makes sense because this recipe does start with a cake mix, but I wanted something lighter, so I made the strawberry glaze.
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Ingredients for Strawberry Bars
There are no unusual ingredients necessary for this sweet treat. Everything is readily available.
- Strawberry Cake Mix – I used a 15.25 ounce size cake mix.
- Greek Yogurt – If you choose to substitute plain yogurt, the consistency will be off. The result will be less dense. Try making homemade Greek yogurt yourself.
- Unsalted Butter
- Pure Vanilla Extract
- Confectioners’ Sugar – Also known as powdered sugar or icing sugar.
- Strawberry Jam – Seedless is best.
- Heavy Whipping Cream
Why you’ll love these Strawberry Bars
- They start with a cake mix.
- Easy to make with just seven ingredients.
- Great strawberry flavor between the strawberry cake and jam in the glaze.
- Make these bars up to a day in advance.
- Perfect for any occasion.
- Kids can help make the recipe.
All recipes are tested in my Florida kitchen exclusively by me.
Timesaving Tips and Variations
Because this strawberry bar recipe starts with a mix, it’s easy to make, but here are some smart things to do to make everything work better.
- Spray the bottom of the baking pan before lining it with parchment paper. Leave an overhang so you can remove the baked bars from the pan.
- Let the glaze set before slicing to avoid messy edges.
- You can chill briefly before cutting for cleaner, bakery-style bars.
- Add a bit of lemon juice or lemon zest to the glaze to add some bright flavor.
- Do not overbake; this can dry out the strawberry bars.
- These bars travel well, making them ideal for spring and summer potluck parties.
How do you serve Glazed Strawberry Bars?
While the strawberry squares look great with the simple glaze, you can slice fresh strawberries in half and place one half, cut side down, on each square.
The pretty pink dessert bars are perfect for a crowd. They are ideal for any spring occasion, such as Easter brunch, but can be made year-round for baby or wedding showers.
While you can serve a glass of milk, a cup of coffee or tea, with these easy dessert bars, iced vanilla coffee or hot chocolate takes your coffee break to the next level.
More recipes that use a strawberry cake mix
Strawberry cake starts with a doctored-up cake mix. If you want something easier, try strawberry chocolate chip cookies or strawberry crinkle cookies.
Can I make strawberry bars in advance?
Yes, but I would only make them a day before you want to serve them. Store them covered, at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
Why are my cake mix bars dense?
Overmixing will cause dense cake mix bars. Using a rubber spatula rather than a mixer will avoid overmixing.
Can I freeze strawberry bars?
Yes, but don’t freeze them with the glaze. You could risk it separating when you defrost them. Don’t cut the bars and glaze them after you defrost them.
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Strawberry Bars
Ingredients
Bars
- 1 15.25 ounce box strawberry cake mix
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- ½ cup butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Glaze
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons strawberry jam
- 1½ tablespoons heavy whipping cream
Instructions
Make the Bars
- Preheat the oven to 350℉. Line a square 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a bit of an overhang. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, combine the strawberry cake mix, Greek yogurt, melted butter, and vanilla extract with a rubber spatula. Mix well so all of the ingredients are incorporated.1 15.25 ounce box strawberry cake mix, ½ cup plain Greek yogurt, ½ cup butter, melted, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Using the spatula, transfer the batter to the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 23 minutes or until the edges start to turn golden brown. Remove the pan from the oven and cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes before removing them from the pan.
- Grasp the extended parchment paper edges and remove the bars from the pan. Allow to cool completely before adding the glaze.
Make the Strawberry Glaze
- In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, strawberry jam, and heavy cream until combined. Add a bit more heavy cream if the mixture is too thick, but you don't want it so thin it will drip down the side of the bars¼ cup powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons strawberry jam, 1½ tablespoons heavy whipping cream
- Using an offset spatula, spread the glaze evenly over the strawberry bars. Try not to let it drip down the sides of the bars.
- Allow glaze to set before serving.
I love the pink color of these bars. I can’t wait to make them!
I love this is made with a cake mix for ease. Yum!
I made these sweet yummy strawberry bars for my granddaughter, as she loves everything strawberry! I added a slice of fresh strawberry to the top of each bar after cutting them. This is such an easy spring dessert.