Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar (for dusting)
Feel free to substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend if needed, and use coconut sugar for a healthier alternative to granulated sugar. Cooking is about flexibility and personal taste, much like how I adjust the spices when recreating dishes from my travels.
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mix together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Stir until well combined.
- Add the melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Mix until a crumbly dough forms. This step reminds me of helping my abuela with her dough, learning to trust my senses as I mixed.
- Press half of the dough mixture into the prepared pan to form the base.
- In a separate bowl, toss the sliced strawberries with cornstarch until evenly coated. Spread the strawberries over the dough base.
- Crumble the remaining dough over the strawberries, creating a rustic topping.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the strawberries are bubbling. The aroma will fill your kitchen with warmth and anticipation, much like the dishes I recreate from my culinary travels.
- Once baked, let the bars cool completely in the pan before dusting with powdered sugar and cutting into squares.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International