Matcha Strawberry Cream Bars (Printer-friendly)
Matcha shortbread layered with vanilla cream and fresh strawberry swirl
# What You'll Need:
→ Matcha Shortbread Base
01 - 1 cup all-purpose flour (125 g)
02 - 2 tablespoons matcha green tea powder
03 - 1/4 cup powdered sugar (30 g)
04 - 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
05 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed (110 g)
→ Strawberry Swirl
06 - 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and diced (150 g)
07 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
08 - 1 teaspoon lemon juice
→ Cream Layer
09 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened (225 g)
10 - 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk (120 ml)
11 - 1 large egg
12 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal.
02 - In a bowl, whisk flour, matcha, powdered sugar, and salt. Cut in cold butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press evenly into the bottom of the pan.
03 - Bake for 12–15 minutes, until just set. Let cool slightly.
04 - In a small saucepan, combine strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat, stirring and mashing, until strawberries break down and mixture thickens (8–10 minutes). Cool slightly, then purée with a blender or mash until smooth.
05 - In a bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add condensed milk, egg, and vanilla; mix until well combined and silky.
06 - Pour cream mixture over cooled matcha base. Drop spoonfuls of strawberry purée on top and gently swirl with a knife or skewer for a marbled effect.
07 - Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until center is just set and edges are lightly golden. Cool completely, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours before slicing into bars.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The earthy matcha shortbread balances perfectly with bright strawberry sweetness
- They look stunning with that marble effect but are surprisingly simple to make
02 -
- The cream layer continues to cook as it cools, so removing it while slightly jiggly is perfect
- Chilling time is not optional—these need at least 2 hours to set properly for clean slices
03 -
- If your strawberries arent very sweet, add an extra tablespoon of sugar to the swirl
- A pie weights help press the shortbread base evenly before baking