Matcha Strawberry Cream Bars

Why Make This Recipe

Matcha Strawberry Cream Bars are a delightful treat that combines the earthy flavor of matcha with the sweetness of strawberries. These bars are perfect for any occasion, whether you need a dessert for a party or a special snack for yourself. The creamy texture paired with the crispy shortbread base makes every bite a delightful experience. Plus, they are visually appealing due to the vibrant colors of matcha and strawberries, making them a stunning addition to your dessert table.

How to Make Matcha Strawberry Cream Bars

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup (170g) salted butter, room temperature
• 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups (180g) all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp matcha
• 1/4 cup (60g) cold water
• 2 1/4 tsp powdered gelatin (one standard packet)
• 2 cups (480g) heavy cream
• 1 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 4 tbsp strawberry jam
• Pink or red food dye (optional)
• 4 strawberries, sliced thinly (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a mixing bowl, cream together the salted butter and granulated sugar until smooth. Add the vanilla extract and mix well.
3. Gradually add the all-purpose flour and matcha, mixing until it forms a dough.
4. Press the dough into an even layer in a greased 8×8-inch baking dish.
5. Bake for about 20 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and let it cool completely.
6. In a small bowl, mix the cold water and powdered gelatin. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it blooms.
7. In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until stiff peaks form.
8. Gently fold the bloomed gelatin into the whipped cream until well combined.
9. Spread the strawberry jam evenly over the cooled matcha shortbread.
10. Pour the whipped cream mixture on top of the jam layer, smoothing it out with a spatula.
11. If desired, add pink or red food dye to the remaining whipped cream and swirl it on top for decoration.
12. Place the sliced strawberries on top for garnish.
13. Chill the bars in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or overnight, until firm.
14. Cut into squares and serve.

How to Serve Matcha Strawberry Cream Bars

Serve these delicious bars chilled for a refreshing treat. You can cut them into squares or rectangles and place them on a decorative plate. If you want to make them look extra special, consider adding a sprig of mint as a garnish or a drizzle of caramel sauce on top.

How to Store Matcha Strawberry Cream Bars

To store your Matcha Strawberry Cream Bars, place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to one week. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them for up to three months. Just make sure to wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil.

Tips to Make Matcha Strawberry Cream Bars

• Make sure your butter is at room temperature to ensure easy mixing.
• Use high-quality matcha powder for the best flavor and color.
• You can adjust the amount of sugar in the whipped cream to suit your taste.
• For a fun twist, try adding chocolate chips to the whipped cream!

Variations

You can customize these bars by adding other fruits like raspberries or blueberries in place of strawberries. You might also experiment with different flavors of jam, such as peach or apricot, to change things up a bit.

FAQs

Can I use unsalted butter instead of salted butter?

Yes, you can use unsalted butter. Just add a pinch of salt to the recipe if you prefer.

What if I don’t have matcha powder?

If you don’t have matcha powder, you can skip it, but keep in mind the flavor and color will change.

Can I make these bars ahead of time?

Absolutely! These bars are great to make a day or two in advance, making them perfect for parties or gatherings.

Matcha Strawberry Cream Bars

A delightful dessert combining earthy matcha and sweet strawberries, perfect for any occasion with a creamy texture atop a crispy shortbread base.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 4 hours hrs

Servings: 9 squares

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: Fusion, Japanese

Calories: 250

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Shortbread Base

• 3/4 cup salted butter, room temperature Ensure butter is at room temperature for easy mixing.
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp matcha Use high-quality matcha for best results.

Cream Layer

• 1/4 cup cold water
• 2 1/4 tsp powdered gelatin One standard packet.
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 tbsp granulated sugar Adjust to taste.
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp salt

Toppings

• 4 tbsp strawberry jam
• Pink or red food dye (optional) For decoration.
• 4 strawberries, sliced thinly (optional) For garnish.

Method

 

Preparation

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a mixing bowl, cream together the salted butter and granulated sugar until smooth. Add the vanilla extract and mix well.
3. Gradually add the all-purpose flour and matcha, mixing until it forms a dough.
4. Press the dough into an even layer in a greased 8×8-inch baking dish.
5. Bake for about 20 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and let it cool completely.

Cream Layer Preparation

1. In a small bowl, mix the cold water and powdered gelatin. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it blooms.
2. In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until stiff peaks form.
3. Gently fold the bloomed gelatin into the whipped cream until well combined.
4. Spread the strawberry jam evenly over the cooled matcha shortbread.
5. Pour the whipped cream mixture on top of the jam layer, smoothing it out with a spatula.
6. If desired, add pink or red food dye to the remaining whipped cream and swirl it on top for decoration.
7. Place the sliced strawberries on top for garnish.

Chill

1. Chill the bars in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or overnight, until firm.

Serving

1. Cut into squares and serve chilled.

Notes

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week or freeze for up to three months. Consider adding a sprig of mint for garnish or a drizzle of caramel sauce for extra flavor.