Chocolate Strawberry Crumb Bars


Valentine's Day Chocolate Desserts Brownies & Bars No Seed Oils High Altitude | Published February 7, 2024 by Mimi Council

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A take on the classic strawberry crumb bars but make them chocolate! Buttery chocolate shortbread with strawberry jam, chocolate crumb topping, and a sweet glaze makes for a delicious treat! Try these Chocolate Strawberry Crumb Bars for a quick and easy dessert.

If you’re looking for more bars, check out some of my other favorite recipes like Lemon Ginger Crumb Bars, Chocolate Caramel S’More Bars, or Cherry Pie Bars.

chocolate strawberry crumb bars

These crumb bars are a quick and easy dessert that yield a big reward. This recipe is incredibly simple, but these bar cookies have so much flavor, texture, and goodness that they are sure to become a favorite in your house! Most people make plain strawberry crumb bars, but I'm making them chocolate!

I love chocolate and strawberry together, so I decided to make the dough chocolate, fill them with strawberry jam, and top them with glaze. I love bar cookies because it's like a cookie, but they bake up easily in a brownie pan. These crumb bars are buttery, crispy, and have a streusel like topping for the ultimate texture. Then, I top them with a sweet glaze!

chocolate strawberry crumb bars

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Twist on a Classic: This recipe for Chocolate Strawberry Crumb Bars is a twist on a classic! Instead of traditional vanilla shortbread, I’m making it chocolate! If you love bar cookies, you will love this chocolate twist.

Buttery & Sweet: Crumb bars are buttery and sweet because they are made up of shortbread (one of my favorite kinds of cookies!). They are buttery, sweet, and have a perfect crispy element to them that pairs so nicely with the strawberry jam.

Chocolate & Strawberry: Strawberry and chocolate are a classic combination! These Chocolate Strawberry Crumb Bars allow you to enjoy this classic flavor profile in snackable bar!

Eggless: These crumb bars are naturally eggless, making them a delicious treat if you are serving anyone with an egg allergy. Or if you simply just run out of eggs, this is a great bake!

chocolate strawberry crumb bars

Ingredients

  • Butter: I use Organic Valley Salted Butter, but you can use your favorite. It's melted in this recipe, which is nice because you can use it straight from the fridge.
  • Light Brown Sugar: I use my homemade light brown sugar, but store bought also works.
  • Cane Sugar: I also use organic cane sugar.
  • Vanilla Extract: Use a high quality vanilla extract, not imitation.
  • All Purpose Flour: My favorite is Cairnspring Mills.
  • Dutch Cocoa Powder: I use organic Dutch cocoa powder which provides rich chocolate flavor to these bars.
  • Strawberry Jam: I'm filling these with strawberry jam, you can use homemade or store bought.
  • Cornstarch: I add organic cornstarch mixed into the jam. This ensures that the jam solidifies in the oven as it cooks, preventing it from running out.
chocolate strawberry crumb bars

Tools Needed

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chocolate strawberry crumb bars

Step by Step Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8 x 8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.

Step 2

To make the crust and topping: In a medium bowl, add the flour, cocoa powder, cane sugar, and light brown sugar, and mix together. Add in the melted butter and stir to combine completely.

Reserve ½ cup for the topping and set aside. Using your hands, or a measuring cup, press the crust into the bottom of the pan evenly.

Bake for 15 minutes.

Step 3

To make the filling: In a small bowl, add the strawberry jam and cornstarch and stir together until combined.

Step 4

When the crust is done baking, remove from the oven. Add the strawberry filling on top. And sprinkle the remaining crumb topping on top.

Step 5

Return to the oven and bake for another 27 to 30 minutes, or until the topping looks dry. Allow to cool in the pan completely.

Step 6

To make the glaze: In a small bowl, add the powdered sugar and water and whisk until you have a smooth glaze. Drizzle the glaze over the top of the bars. Cut into 9 bars.

chocolate strawberry crumb bars

Baker's Tips

  • I use melted butter in this recipe, which makes it super easy! You can melt the butter any way you like, whether you prefer stovetop or microwave.
  • I use Dutch cocoa powder in this recipe as it’s sweeter and it’s my preferred cocoa for baking. If you only have natural cocoa powder, that will work, they may not be as sweet. But, if you prefer that, then natural cocoa powder is fine to use.
  • This recipe for Chocolate Strawberry Crumb Bars uses strawberry jam. But if you want to switch it up, you totally can! You can use raspberry, blackberry, or blueberry – these would all be delicious with chocolate!
  • The cornstarch is used to help thicken the jam so it won't leak out when the bars are cut. So, that's why it's a crucial part of this recipe.
  • This is a great recipe to bake ahead of time as they will stay good just out on the counter for a few days. So, if you need to bake dessert ahead of a party, this recipe is an awesome option!
chocolate strawberry crumb bars

FAQ's

Can I use another kind of jam?

Yes! You can use raspberry, blueberry, or any other flavor you think would be delicious with chocolate!

Can I make this recipe at high altitude?

Yes! All of my recipes have a simple high altitude adjustment in the Notes at the bottom of the recipe. So, if you are baking above 5,000 feet the be sure to check that note.

How should I store crumb bars?

Crumb bars are made up of a shortbread crust and crumble topping. Both of which need to be kept in a cool dry place to retain the buttery, crisp texture. So these are best stored out on the counter. Don't put these in a tupperware or cake dome as it could make them soggy or mushy.

Craving More?

chocolate strawberry crumb bars

Chocolate Strawberry Crumb Bars

Mimi Council
Try this twist on the classic strawberry crumb bars, but make it chocolate! This recipe for Chocolate Strawberry Crumb Bars is rich, decadent, and incredibly easy!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Makes 9 bars
Calories 404 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

Crust & Topping

Filling

  • 255 grams strawberry jam
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch

Glaze

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8 x 8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
  • To make the crust and topping: In a medium bowl, add the flour, cocoa powder, cane sugar, light brown sugar, and vanilla extract, and mix together. Add in the melted butter and stir to combine completely.
  • Reserve ½ cup for the topping and set aside. Using your hands, or a measuring cup, press the crust into the bottom of the pan evenly.
  • Bake for 15 minutes.
  • To make the filling: In a small bowl, add the strawberry jam and cornstarch and stir together until combined.
  • When the crust is done baking, remove from the oven. Add the strawberry filling on top. And sprinkle the remaining crumb topping on top.
  • Return to the oven and bake for another 27 to 30 minutes, or until the topping looks dry. Allow to cool in the pan completely.
  • To make the glaze: In a small bowl, add the powdered sugar and water and whisk until you have a smooth glaze.
  • Drizzle the glaze over the top of the bars.
  • Cut into 9 bars.
  • Store in a cool dry place for up to 3 days.

Notes

High Altitude — Bake the crust at 350°F for 12 minutes. Fill and add topping per the instructions, then bake again for 25 to 28 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and dry.

Nutrition

Calories: 404kcalCarbohydrates: 77gProtein: 3gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 27mgSodium: 95mgPotassium: 134mgFiber: 3gSugar: 54gVitamin A: 314IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 28mgIron: 2mg
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