Imagine the perfect marriage of earthy green tea and juicy summer berries, wrapped up in a creamy, dreamy dessert bar. That’s what you get with these Matcha Strawberry Cream Bars—a no-fuss treat that highlights the vibrant flavors of matcha and strawberries, pairing them beautifully atop a buttery, subtly sweet crust. These bars are refreshingly unique and show-stopping, and they might just become your new go-to summer dessert.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in Matcha Strawberry Cream Bars pulls its weight—bringing the right amount of flavor, texture, and even color. With this simple lineup, each component truly gets a chance to shine, so don’t skip the good stuff!
- Graham cracker crumbs: The nutty, slightly sweet crunch forms the perfect base and holds everything together.
- Granulated sugar: Just enough to sweeten the crust and keep it from being too savory.
- Unsalted butter (melted): Melted butter makes the crust rich, decadent, and easy to press into the pan.
- Matcha powder: This is your secret to that gorgeous jade color and the subtly complex tea flavor that surprises everyone.
- Heavy whipping cream: The core of the creamy layer, adding airy fluffiness and richness.
- Cream cheese (softened): Soft, tangy, and melt-in-your-mouth smooth—this is the backbone of your creamy filling.
- Powdered sugar: Dissolves effortlessly into the filling, adding sweetness without grittiness.
- Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and rounds out the matcha’s earthiness for a more balanced bite.
- Fresh strawberries (diced): Bursts of natural sweetness and juiciness that make every bite special.
- Extra strawberries and matcha for topping (optional): A fresh, pretty garnish that makes each bar photo-worthy.
How to Make Matcha Strawberry Cream Bars
Step 1: Make the Matcha Graham Crust
First things first—let’s get that irresistible green-speckled crust ready! Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, granulated sugar, melted butter, and matcha powder. Use a fork or spatula to mix until it looks like sandy, delicious matcha fortune. Press this mixture firmly into an 8×8-inch baking dish lined with parchment paper (you want an even, compact layer). Bake for 8–10 minutes until just set, then let the crust cool completely, allowing it to become the sturdy, flavorful foundation for your filling.
Step 2: Whip up the Creamy Filling
While your crust cools, grab a large bowl and beat the softened cream cheese until it’s smooth and pillowy—smooth is key here for the texture of your bars. Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, then mix again until everything’s a velvety blend. In a separate bowl, whip that heavy cream to stiff peaks (think fluffy clouds!) and gently fold it into the cream cheese mixture. This is what makes your filling light, airy, and oh so luscious.
Step 3: Fold in the Strawberries
Gently fold in your diced strawberries. The goal is to keep the fruit pieces whole and to avoid deflating your cream mixture. You’ll see swirls of pink and little pops of red throughout, which look as good as they taste—this step truly brings the Matcha Strawberry Cream Bars to life.
Step 4: Assemble and Chill
Once your crust is nice and cool, spread the strawberry cream filling evenly over the top. Use a spatula to smooth it out, making sure every edge gets its share of the creamy goodness. Cover and chill the bars in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or even overnight if you’re planning ahead. The chilling creates the cleanest slices and the most satisfying texture.
Step 5: Slice and Garnish
Now for the most satisfying part—slicing into those chilled bars! Lift the bars out using the parchment, then cut into nine squares. If you’re feeling fancy, top each with a fresh strawberry and a light dusting of matcha powder. These little finishing touches make your Matcha Strawberry Cream Bars truly pop, both in taste and looks.
How to Serve Matcha Strawberry Cream Bars
Garnishes
Don’t underestimate the power of a beautiful garnish! Just before serving, add sliced strawberries, a sprinkle of extra matcha powder, or even a dollop of whipped cream for extra flair. These touches highlight the colors and create an inviting dessert platter—guests will ask if you made them yourself!
Side Dishes
Because Matcha Strawberry Cream Bars are rich and refreshing, they pair wonderfully with light accompaniments. Try serving them alongside a bowl of fresh fruit salad, some matcha or jasmine tea, or even a crisp sparkling lemonade. These simple sides elevate your dessert spread without overshadowing the main attraction.
Creative Ways to Present
Dessert presentation doesn’t have to be complicated: arrange bars on a chic wooden board, stack them on a tiered serving tray, or offer each one in a cupcake liner for a finger-food vibe. For parties, you can even cut them into bite-sized cubes and skewer them with decorative picks, making these Matcha Strawberry Cream Bars the cutest, easiest-to-eat treats at any gathering.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep your Matcha Strawberry Cream Bars fresh, pop any leftovers into an airtight container and store them in the fridge. They’ll maintain their creamy texture and fresh flavor for about three days—if they last that long!
Freezing
If you want to prepare these bars ahead, they freeze incredibly well. After chilling and slicing, separate the bars with parchment paper, slip them into a freezer-safe container, and tuck them away for up to one month. Simply thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving for the best texture and taste.
Reheating
Reheating isn’t needed for Matcha Strawberry Cream Bars. They’re best enjoyed cold, straight from the fridge or at a cool room temperature. In fact, that chilly creaminess is part of what makes them such a perfect treat for warm days.
FAQs
Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?
Fresh strawberries will always give you the best color and texture, but in a pinch, you can use thawed, well-drained frozen strawberries. Just know that the filling might be slightly softer.
Is it possible to make these bars gluten free?
Absolutely! Simply swap the graham cracker crumbs with your favorite gluten free alternative—there are lots of options at most grocery stores these days.
Can I make this recipe without an oven?
Yes! For a no-bake version of Matcha Strawberry Cream Bars, just skip the baking step for the crust. Firmly press it into the pan and chill to set before adding your cream filling.
What’s the best way to slice these bars neatly?
For picture-perfect slices, use a sharp knife warmed under hot water and wiped dry between each cut. This makes a huge difference for clean edges and beautiful bars.
Do the Matcha Strawberry Cream Bars taste very strongly of green tea?
The matcha flavor is definitely present, but it’s balanced by the creaminess of the filling and the sweetness of the strawberries. It’s more delicate than intense, making it approachable even for those new to matcha.
Final Thoughts
I can’t wait for you to experience the charm of Matcha Strawberry Cream Bars—they have that “wow” factor in both taste and appearance, plus they’re so easy to put together. If you try them, I promise you’ll have a new favorite to share with friends and family. Happy baking—and don’t forget to save yourself the last bar!
Print
Matcha Strawberry Cream Bars Recipe
- Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes (including chilling)
- Yield: 9 bars 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the delightful fusion of flavors with these Matcha Strawberry Cream Bars. A luscious treat combining the earthy notes of matcha with the sweetness of fresh strawberries, all nestled on a buttery graham cracker crust.
Ingredients
Graham Cracker Crust:
- 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tbsp matcha powder
Strawberry Cream Filling:
- 1½ cups heavy whipping cream
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1½ cups fresh strawberries, diced
- Extra strawberries and matcha for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare the Crust: Mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar, melted butter, and matcha. Press into a lined baking dish and bake.
- Make the Filling: Beat cream cheese until smooth. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and whipped cream. Fold in diced strawberries.
- Assemble: Spread the filling over the cooled crust. Chill for at least 4 hours.
- Serve: Slice into bars and top with extra strawberries and matcha if desired.
Notes
- For a no-bake option, skip baking the crust and chill before adding the filling.
- You can use crushed digestive biscuits or vanilla wafers instead of graham crackers.
- Best served cold on a warm day.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake or Baking
- Cuisine: Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 130mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
