Strawberries and Cream Bars

Name: Strawberries and Cream Bars
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 110 min
Ingredients: 17.5 ounce pouch Betty Crocker® sugar cookie mix; 1/2 cup butter, softened; 1 large egg; 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened; 1 cup white chocolate chips; 3 cups sliced fresh strawberries ((divided use)); 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 2 Tablespoons cornstarch; 1/3 cup water

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Strawberries and Cream Dessert Bars have a sugar cookie base, topped with a sweet creamy layer, ending with a sweet fresh strawberry topping.

AN EASY TO MAKE STRAWBERRY DESSERT

Looking for an amazing and easy dessert that is perfect for strawberry season? These delicious dessert squares are made of a soft sugar cookie crust, topped with a dreamy layer of cream cheese and white chocolate. A strawberry glaze, with fresh strawberries, are what top it off to perfection. It is out of this world, delicious! One of my absolute favorite desserts because it tastes like summer in a dessert!

A Strawberries and Cream Bar being removed from the rest of the dessert dish.

Absolutely delicious! Perfect for strawberry season. This was a huge hit at our women’s meeting at church and everyone wanted the recipe. Thanks so much!
– Carol

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Instead of making cookie dough, can I use the prepackaged cookie dough?

Yes, to save time, you can grab a roll or tub of the premade cookie dough and use that as the cookie bar base.

Can I use a different cookie bar base?

Try switching up the flavors in this recipe. A chocolate chip or chocolate cookie base can be used instead of a sugar cookie base.

What other fruit can I try?

Other fruits can be used: blueberries, raspberries and blackberries all work well in this recipe.

What if I don’t like white chocolate chips?

You could try chocolate chips for a chocolate covered strawberry type flavor. You could use Cool Whip instead for a Cool Whip and cream cheese mixture. You could try marshmallow fluff and cream cheese mixture too.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes, this is a great dessert for making ahead of time. Since this recipe needs a minimum of one hour to chill, it’s great for making earlier in the day or even the day before. I wouldn’t make it more than a day in advance though.

Can I use frozen strawberries?

I don’t recommend it. Only because even when thawed, frozen strawberries will release water and it will cause the glaze to break down. This is one of those desserts that really is best with fresh.

Can I use a pie filling instead?

Sure. If you want to use strawberry pie filling (or other fruit pie fillings) instead of making the strawberry layer, I do believe that would work instead.

Can I use the store bought strawberry glaze?

Yes, you can use store bought strawberry glaze if desired and just add the fresh sliced strawberries to it.

How long will leftovers last?

If you have leftovers, you can place them in an airtight container and refrigerate them. They’ll last 4-5 days. You can try to freeze them in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months. The texture may change when thawing.

A baking dish full of uncut Strawberries and Cream Bars.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE)

Betty Crocker® sugar cookie mix – see my ingredient image below so you know what to look for.
salted butter – you could use unsalted butter but I think the very little bit of salt in the salted butter helps balance out the overall sweetness.
egg – if you have time, allow the egg to come to room temperature, this is going to help it mix with the other ingredients much easier.
white chocolate chips – these are going to be used to sweetened the cream cheese mixture.
cream cheese – this needs to be softened to room temperature. If you need tips on how to soften it quicker, see my tips in How to Soften Cream Cheese Quickly post.
fresh strawberries – this recipe was created for strawberry season so it does require fresh strawberries – see my Frequently Asked Questions above for more information on that.
sugar – you could use a sugar substitute I think but it would need to be like Splenda for Baking where the measurements are 1:1.
cornstarch and water – these are going to be used to thicken the glaze. I don’t recommend flour as it can come out lumpy if you’re not careful.

Strawberries, eggs, sugar, butter, cream cheese, sugar cookie mix, white chocolate chips, water, and cornstarch.

HOW TO MAKE STRAWBERRIES AND CREAM BARS

Preheat oven to 350° F. Spray the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking pan with non-stick spray. In a large bowl, mix together the cookie mix, butter and egg until a dough forms. Press dough into the bottom of the baking pan. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until light golden brown.

Sugar cookie dough being mixed into a dough and then pressed into a baking dish.

Remove from oven and let cool completely. In a small, microwave-safe bowl, microwave white chocolate chips for 45 to 60 seconds or until chips are melted. Stir until smooth.

In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth. Stir in the melted chocolate chips.

Spread this mixture evenly over the cooled sugar cookie crust. Refrigerate while making the topping.

Cream cheese white chocolate chip mixture in a bowl and then spread over sugar cookie base.

In a small bowl, crush 1 cup of the strawberries. In 2-quart saucepan, add the crushed strawberries, sugar, cornstarch and water. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture boils and thickens. Remove from heat and let cool 10 minutes. Gently fold in remaining strawberries. Spoon over the filling. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour or until set.