Hi👋 I’m MARILYN, a 34-year-old from the United Kingdom. Cooking is my passion, and I love sharing delicious, easy-to-follow recipes. Join me on marilynrecipes.com to explore a world of culinary delights, from comforting classics to innovative creations. Let’s make cooking fun and enjoyable for everyone! Cooking is about more than just food it’s about sharing stories and making memories.
One of my all-time favorite desserts is Strawberry Vanilla Cake Bars. I remember the first time I baked them it was a rainy Sunday afternoon, and I wanted something simple yet comforting to share with my little family. The aroma of vanilla and fresh strawberries filling the kitchen made the whole house feel warm and cozy. These bars are tender, sweet, and perfectly balanced between fluffy vanilla cake and juicy strawberries. Every bite feels like a hug, and they’re the perfect treat for family gatherings, tea time, or just because.
I’ve made this recipe countless times, tweaking it slightly here and there, but the core of Strawberry Vanilla Cake Bars remains my go-to comfort dessert. They’re straightforward, require no fancy equipment, and always bring smiles to the table. If you love desserts that are simple yet indulgent, this recipe is going to feel like it was made just for you.
Why I Love Making Strawberry Vanilla Cake Bars
There’s something magical about combining strawberries and vanilla it’s a flavor duo that never fails. I love making these bars because they’re quick to prep but feel like a bakery-level treat. Plus, they’re versatile: sometimes I add a drizzle of white chocolate on top, other times I sprinkle a little powdered sugar just before serving.
These bars are also perfect for kids’ lunchboxes, a sweet ending to a casual dinner, or even a picnic treat. I love seeing how everyone’s eyes light up when I bring them out of the oven the golden cake with bursts of bright red strawberries is just irresistible.
And honestly, baking them brings back fond childhood memories. My mum used to make strawberry desserts every summer, and now, making these bars myself, I get to share that warmth and nostalgia with my own little family. That’s why cooking, for me, is never just about food it’s about stories, memories, and love.
Ingredients & Little Kitchen Secrets
Here’s what you’ll need to make the most tender and flavorful Strawberry Vanilla Cake Bars:
- 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups (320 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup (120 ml) whole milk
- 1 ½ cups (225 g) fresh strawberries, chopped
Little Kitchen Secrets:
- Room temperature eggs & butter: This ensures your batter is smooth and your bars are extra fluffy.
- Fresh strawberries: Frozen strawberries release too much water and can make the cake soggy. If you only have frozen, thaw and pat dry thoroughly.
- Don’t overmix: Once you add the flour, gently fold it in. Overmixing can make the bars dense instead of soft and tender.
How I Make It, Step by Step
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Cream the butter and sugar together in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy about 3–4 minutes.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, alternating with milk, starting and ending with flour.
- Gently fold in the chopped strawberries until evenly distributed.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The top should be golden brown.
- Cool completely in the pan before slicing into bars.
How I Serve It at Home
I love serving these bars slightly warm, with a dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of melted white chocolate. Sometimes, I sprinkle a little powdered sugar for an extra touch of sweetness and a lovely presentation.
For family gatherings, I cut them into small bite-sized bars, perfect for kids and adults alike. They’re also amazing paired with a cup of tea or coffee — the vanilla aroma complements the strawberries beautifully.
Storage, Reheating & Make-Ahead Tips
- Storage: Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Refrigeration: If you prefer, you can refrigerate them for up to 5 days. Bring them to room temperature or microwave for 10–15 seconds before serving.
- Freezing: Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and enjoy.
- Make-ahead: You can prepare the batter a day ahead and refrigerate it, then bake fresh the next day.
100-Word Short Version
My Strawberry Vanilla Cake Bars are soft, tender, and bursting with juicy strawberries. I start by creaming butter and sugar, then add eggs, vanilla, and a gentle mix of flour and milk. Fresh chopped strawberries fold in last before baking until golden. They’re perfect for dessert, tea time, or a sweet snack. Serve warm with whipped cream or a dusting of powdered sugar. Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days, or freeze for longer. These bars are simple, comforting, and made with love a little bite of happiness in every slice.
Recipe Card Section
⏱️ Time
- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 35–40 mins
- Total: 50–55 mins
🛒 Ingredients
- 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups (320 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup (120 ml) whole milk
- 1 ½ cups (225 g) fresh strawberries, chopped
👩🍳 Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper.
- Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.
- Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Fold into batter, alternating with milk.
- Fold in chopped strawberries gently.
- Pour batter into pan, spread evenly.
- Bake 35–40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool completely before slicing into bars.
📝 Notes
- Use room-temperature ingredients for a smoother batter.
- Fold in strawberries gently to avoid crushing them.
- Serve with whipped cream, powdered sugar, or white chocolate drizzle.
- Can freeze for up to 2 months.
🍽️ Nutrition (per bar)
Calories: 240 kcal
Sugar: 18 g
Fat: 12 g
Saturated Fat: 7 g
Carbohydrates: 30 g
Protein: 3 g
Fiber: 1 g
Sodium: 150 mg
Cholesterol: 60 mg
Strawberry Vanilla Cake Bars
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 35 mins
- Total Time: 50 mins
- Yield: 12 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Soft, tender, and bursting with juicy strawberries, these Strawberry Vanilla Cake Bars are the perfect family-friendly dessert. Simple to make and full of comforting flavors, they’re ideal for tea time, dessert, or any sweet moment in your kitchen.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups (320 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup (120 ml) whole milk
- 1 ½ cups (225 g) fresh strawberries, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper.
- Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.
- Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Fold into batter, alternating with milk.
- Fold in chopped strawberries gently.
- Pour batter into pan, spread evenly.
- Bake 35–40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool completely before slicing into bars.
Notes
Use room-temperature ingredients for a smoother batter. Fold in strawberries gently to avoid crushing them. Serve with whipped cream, powdered sugar, or white chocolate drizzle. Can freeze for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Unsaturated Fat: 4
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 3
- Cholesterol: 60
Conclusion
Baking Strawberry Vanilla Cake Bars always brings a little sunshine into my kitchen. They’re simple, heartwarming, and remind me why I love sharing recipes with friends and family. Each bar is a small, delicious reminder that cooking is about love, joy, and making memories. I hope this recipe brings the same cozy feeling to your home as it does to mine.