Ah, the lure of a scrumptious dessert! It's something no one can resist. But what if we could enjoy a crumble bar without gluten? That's where my Gluten-Free Strawberry Crumb Bars come to the rescue! This delightful dessert satisfies your sweet tooth while keeping things completely gluten free. This gluten-free delight will become your go-to treat, packed with fresh strawberries, melt-in-your-mouth crumbly topping, and a zest of lemon juice. So, why not roll up those sleeves and get ready to embark on a culinary adventure?
The Recipe: A Step-by-Step Guide
Whipping Up the Crust and Topping
Kickstart your journey with the crust and topping. Here's what you'll need:
- 2 cups gluten-free flour
- 1 cup almond flour
- ⅓ cup melted butter
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Bringing the Strawberry Filling to Life
Strawberry is the star of the show in our Gluten-Free Strawberry Crumb Bars. Gather these ingredients:
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
The Method
Here’s a step-by-step method that will turn your ingredients into delectable Gluten-Free Strawberry Crumb Bars:
- Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees. Line your 8x8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, and leave some overhang on the sides. This makes for easy removal later on.
- In a large bowl, blend the almond flour, gluten-free flour, melted butter, sugar, salt, and vanilla extract. Mix until you get a crumbly dough. Don't you love it when things start to come together?
- Reserve a cup of this crumbly mixture for the topping. Press the remaining dough into your baking dish, creating a smooth and even layer.
- Pop this crust into your preheated oven and bake for around 10 minutes or until it turns a beautiful golden hue.
- While the crust is getting its bake on, let's turn our attention to the strawberry filling. Blend the chopped strawberries, lemon juice, sugar, and cornstarch in a medium saucepan. Stir well and make sure everything is perfectly combined.
- Cook this fruity concoction over medium heat, stirring frequently. Once it starts to bubble and the strawberries break down into a jam-like consistency (roughly 10-15 minutes), you'll know it's done.
- Spread this freshly made strawberry filling over the baked crust, and sprinkle the reserved crumble mixture on top.
- It's time for the oven again! Bake for another 20-25 minutes, until the topping turns golden and the strawberry filling starts to bubble.
- Once baked, let the bars cool completely in the dish. Use the overhanging parchment paper to lift the bars out of the dish and cut them into squares.
- Voila! Your Gluten-Free Strawberry Crumb Bars are ready to be savored. Enjoy them just as they are or topped with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Storage and Consumption
Your deliciously crumbly bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to a week. Planning for a rainy day? Freeze them for up to 3 months! The beauty of these Gluten-Free Strawberry Crumb Bars is their flexibility, fitting effortlessly into your daily routine.
FAQ
Absolutely! You can replace fresh strawberries with frozen ones. Remember to thaw and drain them properly to avoid excess moisture.
Of course! Our recipe is versatile. Feel free to substitute strawberries with your favorite fruits like raspberries, blueberries, or blackberries.
Indeed! Swap out the butter for coconut oil or a vegan butter alternative, and you're all set.
Yes. These bars are made with gluten-free flour, making them safe for individuals with celiac disease. Always double-check the labels to ensure your ingredients are 100% gluten-free.
Gluten-Free Strawberry Crumble Bars
Ingredients
For the Crust and Topping:
- 2 cups gluten free flour
- 1 cup almond flour
- ⅓ cup butter melted
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Strawberry Filling:
- 2 cups fresh strawberries hulled and chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8x8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides for easy removal.
- In a large bowl, combine the almond flour, gluten free flour, melted butter, sugar, salt, and vanilla extract. Stir well until the mixture forms a crumbly dough.
- Reserve 1 cup of the crumble mixture for the topping. Press the remaining mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, creating an even layer.
- Bake the crust in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes, or until it is lightly golden.
- While the crust is baking, prepare the strawberry filling. In a medium saucepan, combine the chopped strawberries, lemon juice, sugar, and cornstarch. Stir well to combine.
- Cook the strawberry mixture over medium heat, stirring frequently, until it starts to bubble and the strawberries break down into a thick, jam-like consistency. This should take about 10-15 minutes.
- Once the crust is ready, remove it from the oven and spread the strawberry filling over the top. Sprinkle the reserved crumble mixture over the strawberries.
- Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, until the topping is golden and the strawberry filling is bubbling.
- Allow the bars to cool completely in the baking dish. Once cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars o ut of the dish. Cut into squares.
- Serve your delicious gluten-free strawberry crumble bars as is, or with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Enjoy!
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