Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bars Recipe

Dreamy Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bars Recipe for Summer Joy

Cool summer days demand a sweet treat that brings nostalgic joy, and these homemade strawberry shortcake ice cream bars capture childhood memories with every delightful bite.

Sweet strawberry swirls dance through creamy vanilla ice cream, nestled between crumbly shortbread-like layers that provide the perfect crisp texture.

Each bar combines the classic flavors of fresh summer strawberries with rich, smooth ice cream and a crunchy coating that shatters delicately when you take a bite.

The contrast of cool, velvety filling against the crisp exterior creates a dessert that feels both indulgent and refreshing.

Rich vanilla notes blend seamlessly with bright strawberry essence, making these bars an irresistible homemade delight.

You won’t believe how simple these bars are to create in your own kitchen.

Prepare to fall in love with this classic dessert reimagined as a frozen treat that promises pure summer bliss.

Creative Serving Ideas for Ice Cream Bars

  • Picnic Perfect Treat: Pack these bars in a cooler for a delightful summer dessert that will wow friends and family at outdoor gatherings.
  • Elegant Dessert Plating: Arrange the bars on a beautiful white plate with fresh strawberry slices and a light dusting of powdered sugar for an Instagram-worthy presentation.
  • Party Crowd-Pleaser: Serve these bars as individual treats at birthday parties or summer celebrations, letting guests enjoy the nostalgic strawberry shortcake flavor in a cool, handheld format.
  • Creative Serving Option: Create a build-your-own bar station where guests can add extra toppings like chopped nuts, mini chocolate chips, or additional crushed cookies for a personalized dessert experience.

Storing Strawberry Ice Cream Bars for Later

  • Wrap each strawberry shortcake ice cream bar individually in plastic wrap or place them in an airtight freezer container to prevent freezer burn and maintain their delicious texture for up to 2 weeks.
  • Stack the wrapped bars between sheets of parchment paper inside a sealed freezer bag, ensuring they remain fresh and prevent sticking for maximum 1 month.
  • Remove bars from freezer and let them sit at room temperature for 2-3 minutes to soften slightly before enjoying, which helps restore their creamy texture without complete melting.
  • Do not microwave these bars; instead, allow them to sit at room temperature for 1-2 minutes to achieve the perfect softness for immediate consumption.

FAQs

  • What are the key ingredients for the Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bars?

The key ingredients are strawberry ice cream, white chocolate chips, avocado oil, golden Oreo cookies, and freeze-dried strawberries.

  • Can I use a different type of cookie for the coating?

Golden Oreos work best, but you can substitute with vanilla wafers or graham crackers for a similar shortcake-like texture.

  • How long do these bars take to make from start to finish?

Total preparation and freezing time is around 5-6 hours, with most of that being freezing time for the ice cream and final coating.

  • Do I need any special equipment to make these bars?

You’ll need popsicle molds, parchment paper, a baking sheet, and a microwave-safe glass for melting chocolate.

Reasons to Try Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bars

  • Combine sweet strawberry ice cream with crunchy golden Oreo and freeze-dried strawberry coating for an explosive taste experience that surprises every bite.
  • Create restaurant-quality dessert bars at home without professional baking skills, using simple ingredients and basic kitchen tools for an impressive homemade treat.
  • Prepare these refreshing ice cream bars in minimal steps, perfect for beating summer heat and satisfying sudden sweet cravings with minimal effort.
  • Experiment with different cookie crumbs or chocolate drizzles to personalize the recipe, making each batch unique and tailored to individual preferences.

Ingredients for Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bars

Main Ice Cream Components:
  • Strawberry Ice Cream: A sweet, fruity base that provides the core flavor and creamy texture of the dessert.
  • Popsicle Sticks: Essential tools for creating handheld ice cream bars.
Coating Ingredients:
  • White Chocolate Chips: Adds a rich, sweet layer that helps create a crisp outer shell for the bars.
  • Avocado Oil: Helps smooth and thin the white chocolate for easy drizzling.
Shortcake Coating Components:
  • Golden Oreo Cookies, Freeze-Dried Strawberries: Create a crunchy, sweet-tart coating that mimics the classic strawberry shortcake flavor profile.
Additional Ingredients:
  • Parchment Paper: Prevents sticking and helps with easy removal of the finished ice cream bars.
  • Baking Sheet: Provides a cold surface for assembling and freezing the bars.

Essential Equipment for Creamy Ice Cream Bars

  • Popsicle Molds: Essential for creating ice cream bar shape and holding the frozen treat.
  • Glass Measuring Cup: Perfect for melting white chocolate chips and mixing with avocado oil.
  • Food Processor: Ideal for quickly pulsing Oreo cookies and freeze-dried strawberries into fine crumbs.
  • Small Baking Sheet: Crucial for keeping bars cold during assembly and preventing melting.
  • Parchment Paper: Helps prevent sticking and makes handling frozen bars easier.
  • Microwave: Quick method for melting white chocolate chips.
  • Mixing Bowl: Needed for softening and mixing strawberry ice cream.
  • Popsicle Sticks: Required for creating classic ice cream bar style.
  • Warm Water Glass: Helpful for easily removing ice cream from molds.

Making Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bars

Step 1: Prepare Creamy Base

Scoop softened strawberry ice cream into a mixing bowl.

Stir gently until the texture becomes smooth and slightly pourable, creating a luxurious foundation for your frozen treat.

Step 2: Create Frozen Popsicle Molds

Pour the prepared ice cream mixture into popsicle molds.

Carefully insert popsicle sticks into each mold.

Place a baking sheet in the freezer to chill.

Freeze the ice cream bars completely, allowing at least 4 hours for perfect solidification.

Step 3: Melt Chocolate Coating

Combine white chocolate chips and avocado oil in a glass bowl.

Microwave for 30 seconds, stirring until the mixture becomes completely smooth and glossy.

Allow the chocolate to cool for approximately 5 minutes, creating a perfect drizzling consistency.

Step 4: Develop Crumbly Coating

Ingredients:
  • Golden Oreo cookies
  • Freeze-dried strawberries

Pulse the cookies and strawberries in a food processor until they transform into fine, even crumbs.

Transfer the vibrant mixture to a flat plate, preparing for the coating process.

Step 5: Unmold Ice Cream

Remove the chilled baking sheet from the freezer.

Line it with parchment paper.

Carefully extract each ice cream bar from the molds, using a quick dip in warm water to help release them smoothly.

Step 6: Chocolate Drizzle and Crumb Coating

Drizzle white chocolate on one side of each ice cream bar.

Gently press the chocolate-covered side into the prepared crumb mixture.

Flip and coat the entire bar, ensuring complete coverage with the delightful strawberry-cookie crumbs.

Step 7: Final Freezing

Place the coated bars on the cold baking sheet.

Add an extra drizzle of white chocolate if desired.

Return the bars to the freezer until they become completely firm and ready to serve.

Tips for Perfect Shortcake Ice Cream Bars

  • Let the strawberry ice cream sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes to achieve the perfect pourable consistency without melting completely.
  • Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the ice cream in the molds to prevent freezer burn and maintain smooth texture.
  • Cool the white chocolate mixture slightly to prevent melting the ice cream when coating the bars.
  • Crush Oreo cookies and freeze-dried strawberries finely for an even, crisp coating that adheres smoothly to the ice cream.
  • Use a pre-chilled baking sheet to help the bars set quickly and maintain their shape during the final coating process.

Sweet Variations for Strawberry Shortcake Bars

  • Gluten-Free Shortcake Bars: Replace golden Oreo cookies with gluten-free graham crackers and use dairy-free white chocolate chips for a celiac-friendly version.
  • Vegan Berry Delight: Swap strawberry ice cream with coconut milk-based strawberry ice cream and use vegan white chocolate for a plant-based alternative.
  • Low-Sugar Fruity Bars: Use sugar-free vanilla ice cream, replace Oreo cookies with almond flour crumbs, and use sugar-free white chocolate chips to reduce overall sugar content.
  • Tropical Remix: Substitute strawberry ice cream with mango or passion fruit ice cream, and use toasted coconut flakes instead of Oreo cookie crumbs for a tropical-inspired treat.
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Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bars Recipe

Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bars Recipe


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4.8 from 36 reviews

  • Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Homemade strawberry shortcake ice cream bars combine classic dessert flavors in a frozen treat. Creamy vanilla ice cream, crushed shortbread cookies, and fresh strawberry sauce create a delightful summer indulgence you can savor.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2.75 cups strawberry ice cream, softened
  • 0.25 cup white chocolate chips
  • 0.5 cup freeze-dried strawberries

Cookies:

  • 4 golden Oreo cookies

Binding Ingredient:

  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil

Instructions

  1. Gently soften strawberry ice cream in a bowl, stirring until it reaches a pourable consistency without becoming fully liquid.
  2. Carefully transfer the softened ice cream into popsicle molds, insert popsicle sticks, and freeze for minimum 4 hours. Simultaneously, chill a baking sheet in the freezer for later assembly.
  3. Create a smooth white chocolate coating by microwaving white chocolate chips with avocado oil for 30 seconds, stirring until completely blended. Allow mixture to cool for 5 minutes.
  4. Prepare the shortcake coating by pulverizing golden Oreo cookies and freeze-dried strawberries into fine crumbs using a food processor. Spread crumbs evenly on a flat plate.
  5. Remove frozen ice cream bars from molds by briefly dipping in warm water. Place on the chilled baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  6. Drizzle one side of each ice cream bar with white chocolate coating, then immediately press into strawberry-Oreo crumb mixture, ensuring complete coverage on both sides.
  7. Return coated bars to the frozen baking sheet, adding additional chocolate drizzle if desired. Freeze until completely firm and set.

Notes

  • Soften Ice Cream Gently warm the strawberry ice cream to achieve a pourable consistency without fully melting, ensuring a smooth texture and easy molding.
  • Freezing Tip Use a metal baking sheet chilled in the freezer to help the bars set quickly and maintain their shape during assembly.
  • Chocolate Drizzle Technique Allow the white chocolate mixture to cool slightly before drizzling to prevent immediate melting of the ice cream bars and create a more controlled coating.
  • Crumb Coating Pulse the Oreo cookies and freeze-dried strawberries to create a fine, even crumb that adheres perfectly to the chocolate-covered ice cream surface.
  • Unmolding Trick Briefly dip the frozen molds in warm water to easily release the ice cream bars without damaging their shape.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4 hours
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Freezing
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 230
  • Sugar: 16 g
  • Sodium: 70 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 34 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 5 mg
Lena Martinez

Lena Martinez

Contributing Writer & Culinary Educator

Expertise

Southwestern and Latin American cuisines, Vegetarian and plant-based recipe development, Culinary education and community outreach ​

Education

Santa Fe Community College, Santa Fe, NM
Certificate in Culinary Arts

Emphasized Southwestern cuisine and sustainable cooking practices


Lena grew up surrounded by the colors, spices, and traditions of the Southwest – flavors that sparked her love for bold, honest cooking. After earning her Culinary Arts certificate at Santa Fe Community College, she made it her mission to teach home cooks how to create flavorful, plant-powered meals without the fuss.
Her recipes are packed with vibrant ingredients, simple steps, and the kind of heart that turns a regular meal into something you’ll want to share. Outside the kitchen, Lena spends her time wandering farmers’ markets, trading family recipes, and helping young chefs find their voice through food.

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