Strawberry Crumb Bars
So, I was invited to my friends for lunch and I offered to make a dessert. I had no idea what I was going to make until the morning of the lunch when I remembered I had seen this recipe and it looked amazing. Quite often I like to try something new for friends, that way they get to test the food and let me know what they think of it.
So off to the store I go, bought all the ingredients I needed, and set off to make this slice.
This was ridiculously easy to make. Now I have to mention the original recipe said to cut the butter in by hand, but as I much prefer a simpler method I threw the ingredients into a food processor. If you do it by hand you do get a coarser crumb finish, but I just don't like to use my fingers to blend in butter, so I always use a food processor over the hand blending method. I will post both methods and you can choose either method.
This looked pretty, baked perfectly, sliced perfectly and best of all had a lovely flavour. If you are looking at trying something simple that looks and tastes great, give this a go. I know I'll be making this over and over again.
Pictured above is also a blueberry version.
So off to the store I go, bought all the ingredients I needed, and set off to make this slice.
This was ridiculously easy to make. Now I have to mention the original recipe said to cut the butter in by hand, but as I much prefer a simpler method I threw the ingredients into a food processor. If you do it by hand you do get a coarser crumb finish, but I just don't like to use my fingers to blend in butter, so I always use a food processor over the hand blending method. I will post both methods and you can choose either method.
This looked pretty, baked perfectly, sliced perfectly and best of all had a lovely flavour. If you are looking at trying something simple that looks and tastes great, give this a go. I know I'll be making this over and over again.
Pictured above is also a blueberry version.
Recipe
Recipe adapted from www.thebakerupstairs.com
1 cup caster sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 cups plain flour
227g cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1 egg
4 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and roughly chopped
1/2 cup caster sugar, extra
4 teaspoons cornflour
Icing sugar, for dusting
1 cup caster sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 cups plain flour
227g cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1 egg
4 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and roughly chopped
1/2 cup caster sugar, extra
4 teaspoons cornflour
Icing sugar, for dusting
Preheat the oven to 190C/170C fan forced.
Grease and line with baking paper a 22cm x 33cm baking tin.
Method 1: Food processor method
Place the sugar, baking powder, salt, flour and butter into the bowl of a food processor. Blitz until just combined. Add the egg and blitz until just combined. Use a spoon and give it a quick mix, to make sure all is mixed evenly.
Method 2: Hand blending
In a medium bowl place the sugar, baking powder, salt and flour, give it a light whisk. Add the butter. Now using your finger tips, two knives or a pastry blender, rub or cut in the butter into the flour mixture until the pieces of butter are no larger than a pea. Stir in the egg to form a crumbly dough.
Place half of the dough mixture into the base of your prepared pan. Spread it out evenly, pressing it down as you go.
Grease and line with baking paper a 22cm x 33cm baking tin.
Method 1: Food processor method
Place the sugar, baking powder, salt, flour and butter into the bowl of a food processor. Blitz until just combined. Add the egg and blitz until just combined. Use a spoon and give it a quick mix, to make sure all is mixed evenly.
Method 2: Hand blending
In a medium bowl place the sugar, baking powder, salt and flour, give it a light whisk. Add the butter. Now using your finger tips, two knives or a pastry blender, rub or cut in the butter into the flour mixture until the pieces of butter are no larger than a pea. Stir in the egg to form a crumbly dough.
Place half of the dough mixture into the base of your prepared pan. Spread it out evenly, pressing it down as you go.
In a medium bowl, place the strawberries, the extra sugar and the cornflour. Give it a good stir to combine all of the ingredients. Spread the strawberry mixture on top of the dough evenly.
Crumble the remaining dough evenly over the strawberry layer.
Bake for 45-50 minutes or until lightly browned on top. Allow to cool in the pan before slicing.
Dust with icing sugar, to serve.
Dust with icing sugar, to serve.
Enjoy!