Strawberry Shortcake Bars

By ezunich

Ingredients

• 2 cups flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tbs baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 stick cold unsalted butter (8 tbs)
• 1 cup diced fresh strawberries
• 4 oz white bar chocolate, chopped
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 3/4 cup strawberry jam
• 4 cups fresh strawberries, halved or quartered
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 tbs cornstarch
• 1/4 cup water
• pinch salt
• 1-2 drops red food color
• whipped cream

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 375°. Coat a 9 inch square baking pan with nonstick spray. Line pan with a 2 inch overhang of parchment paper; coat with nonstick spray. For the bars, whisk together flour, 1/4 cup sugar, baking powder and 1/2 tsp salt in a bowl. Cut butter into flour mixture using a pastry blender until butter is pea sized; stir in 1 cup diced strawberries and white chocolate. Whisk together heavy cream, egg and vanilla then add to flour mixture, blending with a fork just until dough comes together. Press half the dough onto bottom of prepared pan. Spread jam over dough, then pat remaining dough over the top, sprinkle with sparkling sugar, and bake bars until lightly golden, 35-40 minutes. Cool to room temperature, then cut into 12 bars. For the topping, puree 3/4 cup halved or quartered strawberries in a food processor. Combine 1/3 cup sugar and cornstarch in a saucepan. Stir in pureed strawberries, water and pinch of salt; bring to a boil and cook until thick, stirring constantly, about 3 minutes. Stir in food color, then remove from heat and let cool slightly; our over remaining 3 1/4 cups fresh strawberries. Let topping cool to room temperature or refrigerate until ready to serve.