Strawberry Pie Bars

Yield: 9 bars

Ingredients

½ cup granulated sugar

½ teaspoon baking powder

1 ½ cups flour

¼ teaspoon salt

½ cup very cold butter, cut into ½” cubes

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 cups fresh strawberries, chopped

⅓ cup granulated sugar

2 teaspoons cornstarch

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 F. Line an 8x8” square baking pan with parchment paper with the sides of the paper hanging over sides of pan.

2. In medium bowl, stir together ½ cup sugar, flour, baking powder & salt. Using your fingers or pastry blender, cut butter into flour mixture until it resembles coarse oatmeal. Dough will be crumbly. 

3. In liquid measuring cup or small bowl, beat egg with a fork. Stir in vanilla. Add egg mixture to flour mixture, and combine until you have a crumbly consistency.

4. Pat half the dough evenly into bottom of lined pan. 

5. In separate bowl, stir together ⅓ cup sugar & cornstarch. Stir in strawberries. Spoon strawberry mixture evenly over bottom crust. 

6. Crumble the remaining dough over the strawberry filling layer. 

7. Bake for 45 minutes, or until top is slightly golden brown. Cool completely before cutting into squares. Use sides of parchment to lift the bars out of pan. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

This recipe doubles easily. Make in a 9x13" pan instead of an 8x8" square pan.

Recipe adapted from www.flavormosaic.com