Strawberry Shortcake Bars

These fresh fruit bars are the perfect way to dive into summer!

Dense butter cake is topped with vanilla-scented whipped cream and fresh strawberries. It's a very lovely dessert for a warm sumer night. 

Strawberry Shortcake Bars

Vanilla Cake

½ cup butter, softened

1 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon baking powder

¼ teaspoon salt

1½ cup all-purpose flour

¾ cup milk

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Cream Layer

8 oz cream cheese, softened

¼ – ½ cup powdered sugar

8 oz frozen whipped topping (Cool Whip)

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Topping

1 pint strawberries

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350.

In a large bowl, beat together sugar and butter until creamy. Mix in eggs, baking powder and salt. Alternate between adding in the flour and milk, beating after each addition. Beat until all ingredients are combined. Stir in vanilla extract.

Grease and flour a 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Pour batter evenly into the dish.

Bake for 18-20 minutes until toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Do not over bake. Cake will be flat and light in color. Let cool completely. 

In a large bowl, cream together cream cheese and powdered sugar. Stir in frozen whipped topping and vanilla extract. Spread cream cheese mixture evenly on top of cooled cake. Refrigerate for 3 hours.

Dice strawberries. Top cream layer with strawberries before serving. Sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired.

Store in the refrigerator.

Inspired by: Divascancook