Bake Club Strawberry Pie Bars

Makes one 8x8-inch pan, 9 squares

1 ¾ cups flour

2 Tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 ¼ stick (10 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted 

16 oz (2 cups) Strawberry Jam (see Bake Club Day 47)

Optional

• fresh strawberries, sliced

Heat the oven to 350°F and spray an 8x8” pan.

In a medium bowl stir together the flour, sugar, and salt. Add the melted butter, mixing just until combined. Using your hands, press 1 ¼ cups of the mixture into the bottom of the pan, smooshing to make an even layer that fills to the corners. Set the remaining mixture to the side for the top.

Spread strawberry jam evenly over surface of pressed mixture. Scatter sliced strawberries if you like.

Scatter (don’t press) the remaining mixture on top of the strawberry layer to make a loose, crumby top layer.

Bake at 350°F for 25 to 30 minutes, until the strawberry bubbles up and the crumb topping is golden brown (think the color of your favorite pie crust once baked- I place my pan closer to the top heating coil of my oven to ensure this happens!). Cool completely before cutting into 3 rows of 3 columns for a total of 9 bars. Serve/eat cold, at room temp or warmed in the oven or toaster (if warm, I highly recommend a scoop of ice cream!). Greta swears by them on day 2, 3, 4, 5 for breakfast- she says they get better with age :)