Strawberry Lemonade Sugar Cookie Bars are soft, tangy, and sweet with fresh strawberries and zesty lemon flavor. An easy, crowd-pleasing dessert perfect for summer or any occasion.
These Strawberry Lemonade Sugar Cookie Bars are a perfect blend of sweet and tangy, featuring juicy strawberries and zesty lemon baked into soft, chewy bars. Easy to make and full of bright, refreshing flavor, they’re ideal for summer gatherings, parties, or anytime you want a crowd-pleasing treat.
It’s one of the best Strawberry Desserts. Make sure to also try Strawberry Lemonade Bundt Cake.
Table of contents
Why We Love This Recipe
- Sweet and tangy. Juicy strawberries paired with zesty lemon create a refreshing flavor.
- Soft and chewy. Perfectly baked bars with a tender texture.
- Easy to make. Simple ingredients and straightforward steps.
- Perfect for gatherings. Great for summer parties, potlucks, or family treats.
- Crowd-pleasing. Loved by kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
Cookie Bars
- Unsalted Butter. Softened at room temperature for smooth mixing.
- Vanilla Extract. Pure vanilla adds the best flavor.
- Fresh Lemon Juice. Use fresh lemons for bright, natural flavor.
- All-Purpose Flour. Spoon into the measuring cup for accurate measurement.
- Fresh Lemon Zest. Adds vibrant, zesty flavor to the bars.
Frosting
- Unsalted Butter. Softened at room temperature for easy mixing.
- Powdered Sugar. Sifted for a smooth, lump-free texture.
- Finely Chopped Strawberries. Chop into very small pieces for even distribution and flavor.
Find the complete ingredients and print recipe at the bottom of the page.
Variations
- Different berries. Swap strawberries for raspberries, blueberries, or blackberries for a new flavor twist.
- Citrus twist. Use lime or orange zest instead of lemon for a different tang.
- Chocolate drizzle. Add white or dark chocolate drizzle on top for extra garnishes.
- Nutty add-ins. Fold in chopped almonds, pecans, or pistachios for crunch.
- Gluten-free version. Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in place of regular flour.
Step By Step Instructions
- Step 1 – Preheat the oven and prepare the pan. Set the oven to 350 degrees F and lightly grease a 9X13 baking pan with cooking spray. You can also line with parchment paper if you desire.
Step 2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until well combined and light and fluffy.
Step 3. Then add in the eggs and the vanilla extract. Mix together and add the fresh lemon juice and milk. Then hand stir in the flour, baking powder, lemon zest and salt. Stir until just combined, being careful not to over mix.
Step 4. Spread the sugar cookie crust into the baking dish. Bake for 10-13 minutes. Be careful not to over bake. Then allow to cool.
Step 5. While they cool, make the frosting. Cream together the butter and powdered sugar until combined and smooth. Add in the chopped strawberries to the mixture. Beat until the strawberries break down and are well incorporated into the frosting.
Step 6. Spread the buttercream frosting on top of the cooled cookie bars.
Step 7. Then the bars are ready to slice, serve and enjoy!
Storage
Room temperature. Store the bars in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Refrigerator. Keep covered for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
Freezer. Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months; thaw at room temperature before serving.
Serving tip. Cut into bars just before serving for the best texture and presentation.
Expert Tips
- Cool completely before cutting. This keeps the bars intact and prevents crumbling.
- Use softened butter. This ensures a smooth, easy-to-mix dough.
- Sift powdered sugar. Prevents lumps and creates a silky topping.
- Chop strawberries finely. Small pieces distribute evenly and prevent soggy bars.
- Fresh lemon juice and zest. Provides bright, natural flavor compared to bottled juice.
- Don’t overbake. Bars should be lightly golden; they continue to set as they cool.
More Cookie Bar Recipes
- Magic Cookie Bars Recipe
- Strawberry Lemon Blondies Recipe
- Sugar Cookie Bars
- Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars
- 73 Cookie Bar Recipes
- Grinch Cookie Bars
Make these Strawberry Lemonade Sugar Cookie Bars today and enjoy a sweet, tangy, and refreshing treat! Don’t forget to leave a comment and star rating to share how much you loved them.
Strawberry Lemonade Sugar Cookie Bars
Ingredients
FOR THE COOKIE BARS:
- 3/4 cup Unsalted Butter softened
- 1 cup Granulated Sugar
- 1 large Egg
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 2 Tablespoons Fresh Lemon Juice
- 2 Tablespoons Milk
- 2 1/4 cup All Purpose Flour
- 1 Tablespoon Fresh Lemon Zest
- 1 tsp Baking Powder
- 1/2 tsp Salt
FOR THE FROSTING:
- 3/4 cup Unsalted Butter softened
- 2 1/4 cup Powdered Sugar
- 1/2 cup Finely Chopped Strawberries
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and lightly grease a 9X13 baking pan.
- To Make the Cookie Bars: In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until well combined and light and fluffy. Then add in the eggs and the vanilla extract. Mix for 1-2 minutes until they are incorporated. Then mix in the fresh lemon juice and milk.
- Then hand stir in the flour, baking powder, lemon zest and salt. Stir until just combined, being careful not to over mix.
- Then spread the dough into the 9X13 pan and press the dough down slightly. Bake for 10-13 minutes. Be careful not to over bake. The middle should be just set and the edges should have a very slight color on them. (It will look slightly unbaked but the bars will continue to set as they sit). Then move the pan to a wire rack to allow the bars to cool completely.
- To Make the Frosting: Cream together the butter and powdered sugar until combined and smooth. Add in the chopped strawberries. Beat until the strawberries break down and are well incorporated into the frosting.
- Spread the frosting on top of the cooled cookie bars.
- Then the bars are ready to slice, serve and enjoy!
