Whip up a delightful springtime dessert with these Gluten Free Strawberry Pie Bars. They offer a perfect balance of sweet, tart strawberries nestled in a buttery, crumbly gluten-free crust, making them incredibly easy to prepare yet wonderfully satisfying. With a delightful texture and vibrant fruit flavor, these bars are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Preparation time is approximately 25 minutes, with baking time around 35-40 minutes.
Key Ingredients for Gluten Free Strawberry Pie Bars
- 1 ½ cups gluten-free all-purpose flour blend
- ½ cup almond flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
- 1 pound fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional: Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for serving
How to Make Gluten Free Strawberry Pie Bars
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat your oven and prepare your baking dish: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides. This will make it easier to lift the baked bars out of the pan.
- Make the gluten-free crust: In a medium bowl, whisk together the gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, almond flour, ½ cup granulated sugar, and salt. Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Use a pastry blender, a fork, or your fingertips to cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. You want some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining, as this will contribute to a tender crust.
- Press the crust into the pan: Reserve about 1 cup of the crumb mixture for the topping. Press the remaining mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form the base of your pie bars. Ensure it’s pressed down firmly and evenly.
- Prepare the strawberry filling: In a separate bowl, gently toss the sliced strawberries with ¼ cup granulated sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Mix until the strawberries are evenly coated. The cornstarch will help thicken the juices into a delightful jam-like consistency as it bakes.
- Assemble the bars: Spoon the prepared strawberry filling evenly over the crust in the baking pan.
- Add the crumb topping: Sprinkle the reserved 1 cup of crumb mixture evenly over the strawberry filling. This will create a delicious, slightly crunchy topping that complements the soft fruit.
- Bake the bars: Place the baking pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the strawberry filling is bubbly.
- Cool completely: Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool completely on a wire rack before cutting. This is a crucial step for the bars to set properly and for clean cuts.
- Cut and serve: Once cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the entire slab out of the pan. Cut into squares or rectangles to serve. Enjoy these delightful Gluten Free Strawberry Pie Bars as they are, or serve with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Why You’ll Love This Gluten Free Strawberry Pie Bars
You’ll adore these Gluten Free Strawberry Pie Bars for their incredible simplicity and vibrant, fresh strawberry flavor. Unlike more complex pies, these bars deliver all the beloved taste of strawberry pie in an easy-to-handle, portable format, making them perfect for picnics, potlucks, or just a simple weeknight treat. The tender, buttery gluten-free crust perfectly cradles the naturally sweet and slightly tart strawberry filling, creating a delightful contrast in textures.
The cost-saving benefit of making these at home is significant, often costing less than store-bought gluten-free baked goods, and you have the satisfaction of knowing exactly what goes into them. The bright bursts of fresh strawberry, enhanced by a hint of lemon and vanilla, make these bars truly special – a delightful alternative to traditional apple pie, offering a taste of sunshine in every bite. Don’t just dream about a delicious gluten-free dessert; make these Gluten Free Strawberry Pie Bars today and taste the magic!
Storing and Reheating Tips
To store leftover Gluten Free Strawberry Pie Bars, ensure they have cooled completely. Once cooled, you can place them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the bars. Cut them into individual portions, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, and then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They will stay fresh in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
To reheat, if you prefer them warm, you can gently warm individual bars in a toaster oven at a low temperature (around 300°F or 150°C) for a few minutes until warmed through. Alternatively, you can microwave them for about 15-20 seconds. If reheating from frozen, allow them to thaw slightly at room temperature before warming. Enjoy your delicious Gluten Free Strawberry Pie Bars!
Final Thoughts
These Gluten Free Strawberry Pie Bars are a delightful and accessible way to enjoy a classic fruit dessert, even with dietary restrictions. Their simple preparation and mouthwatering taste are sure to make them a go-to recipe. Give them a try – you won’t be disappointed!
Gluten Free Strawberry Pie Bars
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, almond flour, ½ cup granulated sugar, and salt. Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Use a pastry blender, a fork, or your fingertips to cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. You want some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining.1.5 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, 0.5 cup almond flour, 0.5 cup granulated sugar, 0.25 teaspoon salt, 0.75 cup cold unsalted butter
- Reserve about 1 cup of the crumb mixture for the topping. Press the remaining mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form the base of your pie bars.
- In a separate bowl, gently toss the sliced strawberries with ¼ cup granulated sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Mix until the strawberries are evenly coated.1 pound fresh strawberries, 0.25 cup granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, 0.5 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Spoon the prepared strawberry filling evenly over the crust in the baking pan.
- Sprinkle the reserved 1 cup of crumb mixture evenly over the strawberry filling.
- Place the baking pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the strawberry filling is bubbly.
- Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool completely on a wire rack before cutting.
- Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the entire slab out of the pan. Cut into squares or rectangles to serve. Enjoy these delightful Gluten Free Strawberry Pie Bars as they are, or serve with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.whipped cream, vanilla ice cream