Dreamy Strawberry Shortcake Bars

Strawberry Shortcake Bars bring pure summer joy with a mix of soft vanilla cake, smooth creamy topping, and a crispy bite of berry crumble. They take the old-school Good Humor treat and turn it into a fun baked good you can share at parties, whip up for a snack, or just treat yourself any time you crave something sweet and fruity.

My crew asks for these every single time we have a cookout. People polish them off in no time. When it’s super hot, we even eat them right out of the freezer for that blast of ice cream bar flavor.

Essential Ingredients

• Cool Whip topping: Makes the frosting light and fluffy Just thaw it first and it'll mix in nice and smooth
• Vanilla extract: Splash some in the frosting for warm vanilla flavor Always go for the real stuff for best results
• Cream cheese: Softened up, cream cheese makes frosting creamy and tangy The full-fat kind gives you extra richness
• Powdered sugar: This fine sugar sweetens and fluffs up the frosting Just run it through a sifter so it blends in super smooth
• All-purpose flour: Gives the crumble the perfect bite Fresh flour keeps it from tasting off
• Vanilla instant pudding mix: Adds a touch of sweet vanilla flavor and brings back classic bakery vibes Pick a good brand so it comes out creamy
• Strawberry gelatin mix: Dry jello powder is the secret to big berry flavor in the crumble Choose a colorful red for best look
• Large eggs: Hold the bars together and add a little richness Fresh eggs with deep yellow yolks are always nice
• Vegetable oil: Brings the moisture you want in a soft bar Use something plain like canola
• Vanilla cake mix: The box mix keeps things easy and means your base always turns out soft and tasty Grab one you already love
• Unsalted butter: Soft butter blends right in and makes both the crust and crumble rich and yummy

Irresistible Instructions

Frost Bars and Finish:

Smooth the fluffy frosting all across the cooled bars Scatter strawberry and vanilla crumb topping on top then slice and enjoy

Whip Frosting:

Beat cream cheese vanilla and powdered sugar until it looks and feels thick Add in Cool Whip and turn up the mixer until it’s super light and has no lumps left

Freeze Crumble:

To keep it extra crispy, pop the cooled crumble tray into the freezer for about ten minutes This trick gives the best crunch

Make Strawberry Crumble:

Mix flour, butter, and strawberry gelatin in a bowl for the pink part Then repeat with pudding for the vanilla bit Shake up both mixes until you’ve got chunky crumbs Spread them out and bake at 350 for ten minutes stirring once halfway so nothing burns

Press and Bake:

Push that dough flat into your pan smooth it with a spatula Bake for twenty minutes at 350 until the edges barely turn golden Let it cool until room temp

Mix the Dough:

Stir up cake mix, oil, and eggs in a big bowl Mix until a thick dough comes together Scrape the bowl so nothing’s stuck

Prepare the Pan:

Line a 9-inch square pan with foil, coat with nonstick spray This makes getting the bars out easy later

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My favorite little extra is always the strawberry crumble My kid loves to help with it and honestly we nibble some straight from the bowl before topping the bars One bite and I’m right back to chasing down the ice cream truck as a kid

Best Ways to Store

Pop leftovers into a container with a tight lid and keep them chilled so they stay soft If you want to freeze, just wrap up each square tight When you want a treat, pull one out and let it thaw in the fridge Or snack right away if you like them frosty

Swaps and Options

Shake things up by trading the strawberry mix for raspberry, lemon, or lime Want to skip Cool Whip Use whipped cream instead—just add extra powdered sugar to help it hold up

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Fun Serving Ideas

Try tossing on some fresh berries or drizzling with white chocolate to make them look extra fancy These bars are awesome as dessert after a summer dinner or packed up for a picnic And if you’re hanging out with friends in the sun—these are always a hit

Sweet Nostalgia

These bars take their cue from Good Humor’s ice cream classic but turn it into soft cake form The topping gives that old-school crumbly vibe that makes everyone smile—kids or adults

FAQs About the Recipe

→ How do I store these bars?

Pop these bars in a sealed container and stick them in your fridge. They'll stay good for up to a week.

→ Can I freeze them after baking?

Totally! Slice the bars once they're cool, freeze in a sealed bag or box, and grab them whenever. You can have them straight from the freezer or let them soften a bit first.

→ Are there substitutions for strawberry gelatin?

You can swap in raspberry or lemon gelatin powder for a new twist on the crumble. Any fruity flavor works here.

→ Is it better to serve these bars chilled or at room temperature?

Both ways are tasty. Cold bars are super refreshing, but they're yummy if you let them sit out too.

→ How do I prevent the crumble topping from becoming soggy?

Make sure to let the crumble cool off before you scatter it over the frosting. That keeps it crisp and not mushy.

→ What other toppings can I add?

Sprinkle on some fresh strawberry slices or drizzle on a little white chocolate if you want to mix things up and make it look fancy.