Strawberry Crunch Bars

Here’s a full recipe for Strawberry Crunch Bars that are easy to make and taste delicious!

Strawberry Crunch Bars Recipe

Ingredients:

For the Crunch Base:

• 1 1/2 cups of Golden Graham cereal (or any similar cereal)

• 1 1/2 cups of freeze-dried strawberries (you can find these in most grocery stores or online)

• 1/4 cup of melted butter

For the Strawberry Layer:

• 1 (8 oz) package of cream cheese, softened

• 1/2 cup of powdered sugar

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 (8 oz) tub of Cool Whip (or any whipped topping)

• 1/2 cup of strawberry jam or strawberry puree

For the Crunch Topping:

• 1 cup of Golden Graham cereal

• 1/2 cup of freeze-dried strawberries

• 3 tbsp of melted butter

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the Crunch Base

1. Crush the Cereal and Strawberries:

   • In a large bowl, crush the Golden Graham cereal into small pieces using a rolling pin, food processor, or your hands. You want it to be a fine mixture, but not powder.

   • Take your freeze-dried strawberries and crush them into small bits as well. A food processor works best for this, but you can also do it by hand if you prefer.

2. Mix the Crunch Base:

   • Combine the crushed cereal and strawberries in a large bowl.

   • Pour in the melted butter and stir until everything is evenly coated.

3. Press Into a Pan:

   • Line an 8×8-inch baking dish (or similar sized pan) with parchment paper or spray it with cooking spray.

   • Pour the cereal mixture into the pan and press it down firmly into an even layer using a spoon or your hands.

4. Chill the Base:

   • Place the pan in the fridge to set while you prepare the strawberry layer.

Step 2: Make the Strawberry Layer

1. Cream Cheese Mixture:

   • In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.

   • Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, and continue mixing until combined.

2. Add Strawberry Jam/Puree:

   • Stir in the strawberry jam or strawberry puree until smooth and evenly combined.

3. Fold in Cool Whip:

   • Gently fold in the Cool Whip until everything is well incorporated. Be careful not to overmix, as you want to keep the fluffiness of the whipped topping.

Step 3: Assemble the Bars

1. Spread the Strawberry Layer:

   • Take the chilled base out of the fridge.

   • Spread the strawberry mixture evenly over the crunchy base, smoothing it out with a spatula to cover all edges.

2. Chill Again:

   • Place the pan back into the fridge and chill for at least 2 hours, or until the strawberry layer is set and firm.

Step 4: Prepare the Crunch Topping

1. Make the Crunch Topping:

   • In a small bowl, crush the remaining Golden Graham cereal and freeze-dried strawberries.

   • Add the melted butter to the cereal mixture and stir until everything is coated.

2. Top the Bars:

   • Once the strawberry layer is set, remove the pan from the fridge.

   • Sprinkle the crunch topping evenly over the strawberry layer.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!

1. Cut Into Bars:

   • Using a sharp knife, cut the dessert into bars or squares of your preferred size.

2. Chill Before Serving:

   • For best results, refrigerate for another 30 minutes to 1 hour before serving. This helps everything set properly and makes it easier to cut clean slices.

3. Enjoy Your Strawberry Crunch Bars!

   • Serve and enjoy the delicious combination of crunchy, creamy, and fruity layers!

---

Tips:

• You can adjust the sweetness by adding more or less powdered sugar to the strawberry layer.

• If you can’t find freeze-dried strawberries, you can substitute with strawberry-flavored gelatin or crushed strawberry-flavored cereal.

• These bars can be stored in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.