Strawberry Banana Cream Pie Bars

Summer days could never be better when there are Strawberry Banana Cream Pie Bars involved! No matter how hot it is outside, these bars are sure to refresh and impress!Probably my favorite pie of all time is this Deluxe Strawberry Cream Pie that my mom used to make, growing up.  I have yet to try a version of strawberry pie that I love more.

So, after inviting some friends over for a Memorial Day BBQ a little while ago, I was trying to decide what dessert to make.

I have this problem where I always experiment with new recipes on our guests. I don’t know why I do this, but I do. Maybe I work better under pressure. 🙂 Usually it ends up working out, but sometimes I have to end up serving something simple like a boxed brownie mix or root beer floats because of a major fail.

This was not one of those instances. This was an incredible win on all counts. And, boy, was it a relief!

Today’s phenomenal creation was inspired by my mom’s famous pie, but I didn’t want to fuss with a time-consuming crust. So I made a sugar cookie dough for the base instead, spread the most incredible whipped cream/cream cheese concoction over that, then finished it with a glaze that will make you want to lick the spoon and pot clean and some sliced fresh strawberries and bananas.

Oh man, this is good! Good is a serious understatement.

I texted my mom and sisters a photo after the dessert masterpiece was complete. I live to tempt them. 🙂

I’ve always made my sugar cookie dough by hand, but then my mom informed me that these would be so much easier and probably just as tasty if I had used store-bought sugar cookie dough. I’ve come to the conclusion that I like to do things the hard way.

Anyhow, I will stand by this sugar cookie recipe forever, but if you are short on time or are just feeling lazy, by all means, use the pre-made dough. The results will still be scrumptious!

I mean, how can you possibly go wrong with a magical combo like sugar cookies, strawberries, bananas, whipped cream and the most perfect berry glaze?

Strawberry Banana Cream Pie Bars

Christine

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Ingredients

  

• Sugar Cookie Base:
• 1 1/2 c. sugar
• 1 c. butter softened
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp. almond extract
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 2 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
• Whipped Cream Layer:
• 2 c. heavy whipped cream
• 3/4 c. powdered sugar
• 2 tsp. vanilla
• 8 oz. cream cheese softened
• 1/2 c. powdered sugar
• 3 bananas sliced
• Strawberry Glaze:
• 1 c. sugar
• 3 Tbsp. corn starch
• 1/2 c. water
• 2 c. strawberry puree
• Topping:
• 2-3 c. sliced fresh strawberries for topping

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Make the sugar cookie base by creaming together sugar, butter and egg. Add almond and vanilla extract and mix for one more minute. In a separate bowl combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Add it to the butter mixture and mix until all ingredients are well incorporated.
• Press the dough into a large cookie sheet (more like a jelly roll pan), lightly sprayed with cooking spray. Bake for approximately 12 to 15 minutes. Don't over bake! I pulled mine out just before they started to brown around the edges. Allow them to cool completely.
• For the whipped cream layer: Whip 2 c. heavy cream in the bowl of an electric mixer with 3/4 c. powdered sugar and 2 tsp. vanilla. In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream 8 oz. softened cream cheese and 1/2 c. powdered sugar together. Fold cream cheese mixture into whipped cream mixture by hand with a spatula. Spread over cooled sugar cookie bars. Refrigerate while you make the glaze.
• For the glaze, mash or puree enough clean, fresh strawberries to equal 2 cups. Stir sugar and corn starch in a sauce pan. Whisk in water and strawberry puree. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and boils. Boil and stir one minute. Cover and let cool completely.
• Sprinkle sliced bananas over the whipped cream layer and then immediately spread the glaze over the bananas to prevent them from browning.
• Sprinkle with sliced fresh strawberries and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Notes

I bought the big Costco-size strawberry carton for this recipe and didn't quite use all of them. But you'll need a lot!

Your summer gatherings need these bars! They will receive nothing but praise and glory.  Enjoy!