These homemade Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bars are cool, creamy, crunchy, and sweet, with delicious flavors of strawberries and cream! They’re perfect an easy no bake dessert for summer parties!
Strawberry season is one of my favorite times of the year.
Taking the first bite of a perfectly ripe, plump, sweet strawberry is one of those simple moments of joy I look forward to every year.
We can’t get enough strawberry desserts — and these Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bars are one we can make year round!
I know you strawberry lovers out there will understand. 😉
These Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bars have the perfect combination of classic flavors as well as textures!
With a shortbread cookie crust, creamy strawberry and vanilla ice cream, a layer of strawberry jam for a fruity punch, and a strawberry crunch topping, they’re the perfect no bake dessert to beat the heat.
These dessert bars are a homemade version of the Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bars that usually come on a popsicle stick, although they are even easier to make and they still have all the nostalgic flavors in them!
Using freeze-dried strawberries gives this classic frozen dessert a fresh strawberry flavor without any fuss, so it really is the perfect treat.
Table Of Contents
Ingredients Needed:
- Shortbread: I’ve used shortbread cookies I got from the store to make this recipe quick and easy. You’ll need it for the cookie crust and the crumb coating. Any plain (unfilled) vanilla cookie will work fine!
- Butter: salted butter will bind the base together.
- Ice Cream: you’ll need both strawberry ice cream and vanilla ice cream for this recipe. Use store-bought or make your own.
- Strawberry Jam: adds a punch of strawberry flavor — homemade or store bought both work great.
- Freeze-Dried Strawberries: you should be able to find freeze-dried strawberries in your local grocery store, or order them online! They are a key ingredient in these bars but you can also make them without.
How to Make Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bars
This recipe comes together quickly with some store-bought shortcuts! Full instructions are included in the recipe card below.
- Make the crust: Combine shortbread cookies and melted butter in a food processor and press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Add strawberry ice cream layer: Spread softened strawberry ice cream onto the crust and freeze until firm.
- Add strawberry jam: Spread the jam in an even layer on the strawberry ice cream and freeze until firm.
- Add vanilla ice cream layer: Allow the vanilla ice cream to soften, then spread it onto the strawberry jam layer.
- Make shortbread crumble: Crush the cookies and freeze-dried strawberries separately. Combine mixtures in a mixing bowl.
- Add shortbread crumble: Sprinkle the shortbread crumble over the vanilla ice cream layer, and place the whole thing in the freezer until completely firm.
FAQs
Who makes Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bars?
The inspiration for these bars comes from the classic ice cream truck ice cream popsicle treats. You can still get them in grocery stores today. Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bars are one of the Blue Ribbon classics, but Good Humor’s signature strawberry shortcake cake coating is also infamous. I’m not sure which would be my favorite of the branded types, but I know I prefer my homemade version. It’s got a delicious combination of creamy vanilla ice cream with strawberry ice cream and a shortcake crunch you can’t miss!
How do I store Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bars?
Store these bars in a freezer-safe container and freeze them for up to 3 months. Bear in mind that it is a frozen dessert, so it won’t last long if left out on the counter!
Variations
- Make your own crust.
- Flavors. Make different flavor versions of this dessert by using other jams or fillings, and ice creams in a different flavor.
- Topping. Add some sprinkles to the top for extra color. Alternatively, add some white chocolate chips or a drizzle to the top for extra sweetness and texture.
- Strawberries. Add a few chopped fresh strawberries to one or more of the layers for some extra strawberry magic!
- Popsicles. You can make this recipe in popsicle molds if you prefer an on-the-stick treat. Just freeze and coat the bars with the crumble after removing from the mold. Freeze until ready to serve!
Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bars
These homemade Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bars are cooling, creamy, crunchy, and sweet, with delicious flavors of strawberries and cream! They're perfect for any summer gathering or BBQ.
Instructions
Ingredients
Crust
- 275 grams shortbread cookies (about 18 cookies or 10 ounces)
- ½ cup salted butter melted
Ice cream cake
- 4 cups strawberry ice cream
- ½ cup strawberry jam
- 4 cups vanilla ice cream
Strawberry Crumble
- 6 shortbread cookies
- ⅓ cup freeze-dried strawberries
Instructions
Crust
- Line a 9×9″ pan with parchment paper (optional but makes for easy removal).
- Combine shortbread cookies and melted butter in a food processor (you can also crush them by hand and stir them together). Press into the prepared pan.
Ice Cream Cake
- Allow the strawberry ice cream to soften for about 20 minutes, then spread it onto the crust. Freeze for 2 hours or until firm.
- Spread the jam in an even layer on the strawberry ice cream. Freeze for 1 hour or until firm.
- Allow the vanilla ice cream to soften for about 20 minutes. Spread it onto the strawberry jam.
- Make the crumble by roughly crushing the cookies (you want chunks, not fine powder). Separately, crush freeze-dried strawberries into a fine powder. Stir the crumbled cookies and strawberry powder together and sprinkle over vanilla ice cream.
- Place in the freezer and freeze until completely firm, at least 4 hours.
- Use the parchment paper to remove the ice cream cake. Slice and serve.
Notes
Ingredients and Substitutions:
- Cookies: Choose a plain vanilla shortbread, shortcake, or butter cookie for this recipe.
- Ice Cream: Use any brand of ice cream you like!
- Freeze-Dried Strawberries: Unfortunately, freeze-dried strawberries are a key ingredient here, and there aren’t any great substitutions. You could try swapping with a small amount of strawberry jello powder, but I haven’t tested this method, so I can’t guarantee the results.
Storage: Store these bars in a freezer-safe container and freeze them for up to 1 month. Bear in mind that it is a frozen dessert, so it won’t last long if left out on a dessert table.
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