Strawberry Crumble Bars

Ingredients and Weight:

• 3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups (450g) fresh strawberries, sliced
• 1 cup (200g) brown sugar
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Preparation Time:

• 20 minutes

Cooking Time:

• 35-40 minutes

Difficulty Level:

• 2 (Easy)

Preparation Method Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. Add cold butter and use your fingers or a pastry cutter to work it into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together granulated sugar and vanilla extract. Add to the flour mixture and stir just until combined.
5. Press half of the dough firmly into the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.
6. In a medium bowl, combine sliced strawberries, brown sugar, and melted butter. Pour over the pressed crust.
7. Crumble the remaining dough over the strawberry mixture. Sprinkle with chopped walnuts or pecans, if desired.
8. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the strawberries are bubbling.
9. Let cool completely before cutting into bars.

Nutritional Information:

(Per bar, without walnuts or pecans) * Calories: 330 * Fat: 16g (24% of daily value) * Cholesterol: 55mg (18% of daily value) * Sodium: 170mg (7% of daily value) * Carbohydrates: 44g (15% of daily value) * Dietary Fiber: 2g (8% of daily value) * Sugar: 22g (24% of daily value) * Protein: 2g (4% of daily value)

Dish Characteristics:

• Sweet, tart, and buttery
• Crunchy topping and soft, juicy filling
• Perfect for dessert or a snack
• Easily customizable with different fruits or nuts

User Comments:

• "These strawberry crumble bars are the perfect treat! They're so delicious and easy to make."
• "The combination of strawberries and brown sugar is incredible. I love how the topping gets so crispy and golden brown."
• "I made these bars for a party and they were a huge hit. Everyone loved them!"

Special Precautions and Tips:

• For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free flour blend.
• To make the bars ahead of time, bake them as directed and let cool completely. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
• To reheat the bars, warm them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through.