Imagine sinking your teeth into a luscious Mother’s Day Strawberry Custard Bar, where creamy custard meets sweet, tart strawberries. The aroma of fresh berries wafts through the air, promising a delightful treat that dances on your tongue.
These bars are not just desserts; they’re the love letter you send to your mom when words fail. Picture enjoying them while basking in the sun, sharing laughs and memories with family. Trust me, this recipe will have everyone asking for seconds!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- These Mother’s Day Strawberry Custard Bars are incredibly easy to whip up, making them perfect for any skill level
- Their delightful balance of sweet strawberries and creamy custard creates a flavor explosion in every bite
- Visually stunning with vibrant colors, they make for an impressive addition to any spring gathering
- These bars are versatile enough to be served as breakfast or dessert, making them a year-round favorite
One Mother’s Day, I surprised my mom with these bars. Her eyes lit up like a kid in a candy store—definitely a memory I cherish!
Essential Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious dish:
- Fresh Strawberries: Choose ripe, juicy strawberries for an explosion of flavor and sweetness.
- Granulated Sugar: This adds sweetness to both the crust and the custard; adjust based on your taste.
- All-Purpose Flour: Essential for creating the buttery base that holds everything together.
- Unsalted Butter: Use cold butter for a flaky crust that melts in your mouth.
- Eggs: These bind the custard together beautifully while adding richness.
- Milk: Whole milk gives the custard its creamy texture; feel free to substitute with plant-based options if desired. For more inspiration, check out this easy dinner options recipe.
- Vanilla Extract: A splash adds depth of flavor and enhances the custard’s sweetness.
- Baking Powder: This helps give structure and lift to your delicious bars.
The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.
Let’s Make it Together
Preheat your oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
Prepare the crust: In a mixing bowl, combine melted unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and flour until crumbly. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of your greased baking dish.
Bake the crust: Place the crust in your preheated oven and bake for about 15 minutes until it turns golden brown. The enticing aroma will fill your kitchen.
Make the custard: While waiting, whisk together eggs, milk, vanilla extract, sugar, and baking powder in another bowl until smooth and frothy.
Add strawberries: Gently fold sliced fresh strawberries into your custard mixture. This step ensures every bite bursts with berry goodness.
Combine layers: Pour this luscious strawberry custard over the baked crust evenly. Don’t worry if it looks messy; it’ll all come together beautifully!
Bake again: Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 30-35 minutes until set but still slightly wobbly in the center—your patience will be rewarded.
Cool down: Let these bars cool completely at room temperature before slicing. This step is crucial as it allows flavors to meld together.
Serve chilled or at room temperature: Cut into squares and serve these delightful bars as a perfect tribute to Mother’s Day or any day worth celebrating!
Enjoy every bite of these Mother’s Day Strawberry Custard Bars! They’re more than just dessert; they’re moments of joy wrapped in deliciousness! For more inspiration, check out this delicious dinner recipes recipe.
You Must Know
- Mother’s Day Strawberry Custard Bars are a delightful treat that combines creamy custard and fresh strawberries in a buttery crust
- They’re perfect for spring celebrations, bringing a smile to anyone’s face with their vibrant colors and irresistible flavor
Perfecting the Cooking Process
Start by preparing the crust first while the oven preheats. Once it’s golden and cooled, whip up the custard filling. Finally, layer the strawberries on top before baking to create the perfect texture.
Add Your Touch
Consider adding lemon zest for a citrusy kick or swap strawberries for blueberries or raspberries. You can also drizzle melted chocolate over the bars for an extra indulgent flair.
Storing & Reheating
Store leftover bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds to enjoy them warm.
Chef's Helpful Tips
- Use fresh, ripe strawberries for maximum sweetness and flavor
- Ensure your custard thickens properly by not skipping the whisking step
- Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting for clean slices
There was that one Mother’s Day when I brought these bars to my mom’s brunch. She said they were so good I should consider a career change—maybe from aspiring chef to professional dessert artist!
FAQ
Can I make Mother’s Day Strawberry Custard Bars ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare them a day in advance and store them in the fridge.
What can I substitute for strawberries?
Feel free to use any berry like blueberries or raspberries instead of strawberries.
How do I know when the custard is set?
The custard should be slightly jiggly but not liquid; it firms up as it cools.
Mother’s Day Strawberry Custard Bars
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 9 servings 1x
Description
Mother’s Day Strawberry Custard Bars are a delightful dessert that perfectly balances creamy custard and fresh, juicy strawberries, all nestled in a buttery crust. These bars are not only visually stunning but also incredibly easy to make, making them a perfect treat to celebrate your mom. Enjoy them chilled or at room temperature for a sweet touch to any spring gathering.
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
- 1 cup granulated sugar, divided
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted (plus extra for greasing)
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp baking powder
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease an 8×8-inch baking dish.
- In a bowl, mix melted butter with ½ cup sugar and flour until crumbly. Press into the bottom of the prepared dish.
- Bake the crust for 15 minutes until golden brown.
- While it bakes, whisk together eggs, remaining sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and baking powder until smooth.
- Gently fold in sliced strawberries and pour the mixture over the baked crust.
- Bake again for 30-35 minutes until set with a slight wobble in the center.
- Allow cooling completely before slicing into squares.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (60g)
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 70mg