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Decadent Valentine’s Chocolate Strawberry Crème Cloud Bars

chocolate strawberry crème cloud bars - featured image
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These bars combine a rich chocolate crust with a light, fluffy strawberry crème filling, perfect for Valentine’s Day or any special occasion. They are quick, easy, and crowd-pleasing desserts with luscious layers and dreamy texture.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups (180g) all-purpose flour
  • ⅓ cup (35g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup (170g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ cups (225g) fresh strawberries, hulled and chopped
  • 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream, chilled
  • ½ cup (120g) cream cheese, softened
  • ⅓ cup (40g) powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8-inch baking pan and line with parchment paper, leaving overhang.
  2. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, cream softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Add egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture and beat until incorporated.
  5. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until combined. Do not overmix.
  6. Press about two-thirds of the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
  7. Bake crust for 15 minutes until it begins to set but is not fully baked. Remove and let cool slightly.
  8. Puree chopped strawberries in a blender or food processor until smooth or desired texture.
  9. Whip heavy cream in a chilled bowl with an electric mixer until soft peaks form.
  10. In another bowl, beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until smooth.
  11. Fold strawberry puree into cream cheese mixture gently, then fold in whipped cream until combined and fluffy.
  12. Spread strawberry crème filling evenly over the warm crust.
  13. Crumble remaining third of crust dough over the strawberry crème layer.
  14. Bake assembled bars for 18-20 minutes until topping is set and firm to the touch.
  15. Remove from oven and cool completely in pan on a wire rack for 1-2 hours.
  16. Chill in refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight.
  17. Use parchment overhang to lift bars from pan and cut into 12 squares with a sharp knife, wiping blade between cuts.

Notes

Use room temperature butter and eggs for best crust texture. Do not overmix dough to keep crust tender. Whip cream to soft peaks only to avoid graininess. Gently fold whipped cream into filling to maintain fluffiness. Drain strawberry puree if very juicy to avoid runny filling. Chill bars well before cutting for clean slices. Variations include using other berries, adding nuts, or making dairy-free substitutions.

Nutrition

Keywords: Valentine's Day dessert, chocolate strawberry bars, crème cloud bars, easy dessert, creamy strawberry filling, chocolate crust

Find it online: https://chrisfeasts.com/decadent-valentines-chocolate-strawberry-cr-e-me-cloud-bars-recipe-easy-and-perfect-for-dessert/