STRAWBERRY STREUSEL BARS

Bar cookies are easy and fun to make. And these are no exception. The buttery base, strawberry filling and streusel topping are sure to be a crowd pleasure. Experiment with other preserves too. I hope this recipe will become one of your go-to favorites. Enjoy!

Base
1 c. (2 sticks) butter softened
1 c. granulated sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 lg. egg
2 c. all-purpose flour
1 (10 oz.) jar strawberry preserves

Streusel
1 c. all-purpose flour
¼ c. cold butter
¼ c. granulated sugar

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan. In large mixing bowl, cream the butter, 1 cup granulated sugar and the vanilla extract on medium speed until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg. Reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually add the flour mixture until well blended. Press into prepared pan. Heat the strawberry preserves until melted. Spread over the base to within ½-inch of edges. Struesel: Combine streusel ingedients til crumbly using a pastry blender or two forks. Sprinkle evenly over the preserves. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until top is golden brown. Remove to wire rack to cool completely. Cut into bars. Store in airtight container. Makes about 24 bars.