Get ready to fall in love with a dessert that tastes exactly like springtime in every bite: Strawberry Lime White Chocolate Gooey Bars. Imagine layers of sweet, strawberry-studded cake, tangy lime, and creamy white chocolate all baked into one irresistibly gooey bar. These dreamy treats are unbelievably easy to make, brimming with vibrant color and flavor, and guaranteed to be an instant hit at any gathering. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or just a cozy afternoon treat, they’re a clever shortcut dessert that delivers maximum payoff.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe couldn’t be simpler, thanks to just a handful of key ingredients that each bring something special to the table. The combination of convenience and fresh, zesty elements makes Strawberry Lime White Chocolate Gooey Bars both irresistibly delicious and a total breeze to whip up.
- Strawberry cake mix: The secret shortcut to that eye-catching pink hue and big berry flavor—no strawberries required!
- Unsalted butter: Melted butter adds richness and makes the dough ultra-tender and easy to work with.
- Large egg: Binds the dough together and helps create that chewy, cake-like base.
- Lime zest: Zest infuses the bars with intensely fresh citrus notes; it’s where most of the lime flavor comes from.
- Lime juice: The juice adds brightness and a little tart punch to cut through the sweetness.
- Sweetened condensed milk: This is the magical ingredient that creates a lusciously gooey filling that stays soft, even after baking.
- White chocolate chips: These melt into creamy pools, adding pockets of sweetness in every bite.
- Chopped dried or freeze-dried strawberries: Intensifies that strawberry flavor and gives pops of tangy chew throughout.
- Salt: Just a pinch balances the sweetness and heightens the citrus.
How to Make Strawberry Lime White Chocolate Gooey Bars
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper. A little overhang on the sides makes it much easier to lift the gooey bars out after baking. Don’t skip this step—it’s worth it for flawless, crack-free bars!
Step 2: Make the Strawberry Dough Base
In a medium-sized bowl, combine the strawberry cake mix, melted butter, and egg. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to mix until a thick, sticky dough forms. This shortcut dough saves you time but packs in loads of flavor. Press about two-thirds of the dough evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan, making sure to cover every corner for a solid base.
Step 3: Mix Up the Gooey Filling
In a separate bowl, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, lime zest, lime juice, and salt until smooth and glossy. Next, fold in the white chocolate chips and chopped dried strawberries. This filling is what makes Strawberry Lime White Chocolate Gooey Bars live up to their name—creamy, citrusy, and decadently sweet.
Step 4: Layer and Crumble
Pour the gooey filling evenly over the strawberry dough base. Be sure to spread it all the way to the edges for even coverage. Then, take the remaining dough and crumble it over the top in small pieces. You want to leave some gaps—those peekaboo spots let the luscious filling bubble through and make the bars look beautifully rustic.
Step 5: Bake to Gooey Perfection
Pop the pan in the oven and bake for 28–32 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the center is set but still slightly jiggly. Don’t overbake! The filling will continue to set as it cools, preserving that signature gooey texture. Let the bars cool completely in the pan before lifting them out and slicing into squares.
How to Serve Strawberry Lime White Chocolate Gooey Bars
Garnishes
Sprinkle your bars with a little extra lime zest or some finely chopped freeze-dried strawberries for a pop of color and aroma. If you want an ultra-decadent finish, try drizzling melted white chocolate over the top or dusting with powdered sugar right before serving.
Side Dishes
These bars are fantastic on their own, but they also shine next to a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. For a vibrant dessert plate, add a handful of fresh sliced strawberries or a cool fruit salad—something juicy to complement the richness of the bars.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, cut the Strawberry Lime White Chocolate Gooey Bars into mini squares and arrange them on a tiered dessert tray. Wrap individual bars in parchment and tie with a ribbon for the cutest edible gifts. You can even skewer bite-sized pieces onto decorative sticks for a playful dessert kabob.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, store any leftover bars in an airtight container. You can keep them at room temperature for maximum gooeyness, or in the fridge for a firmer, chewier bite. Either way, they’ll stay fresh and flavorful for up to 5 days—if they last that long!
Freezing
Strawberry Lime White Chocolate Gooey Bars freeze beautifully. Wrap each bar tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep for up to two months—just thaw overnight in the fridge for a quick and colorful treat whenever the craving hits.
Reheating
If you like your bars extra soft and gooey, microwave them for just 8–10 seconds before serving. This will slightly melt the white chocolate and return that fresh-baked aroma. If you’re serving a crowd, you can gently warm multiple bars in a low oven (about 300°F) for 5 minutes.
FAQs
Can I use fresh strawberries instead of dried or freeze-dried?
Fresh strawberries add too much moisture and can make the bars soggy. For the best color, flavor, and texture, stick with dried or freeze-dried strawberries—they bring intense berry sweetness without extra liquid.
Can I use lemon instead of lime?
Yes, you can swap in lemon zest and juice for a slightly different but equally delicious citrus twist. Lemon adds a milder zing, while lime gives that bold, tropical punch that makes Strawberry Lime White Chocolate Gooey Bars so unique.
What if I can’t find strawberry cake mix?
If strawberry cake mix isn’t available, you can use white cake mix and add a few drops of strawberry extract plus a drop of pink food coloring. It’s a great workaround that still delivers bright, berry flavor.
How do I know when the bars are done baking?
The edges will turn golden and start pulling slightly from the sides, but the center should still look a bit glossy and jiggle slightly when you nudge the pan. Don’t worry—it will firm up and achieve that perfect gooeyness as it cools.
Are these bars gluten-free?
As written, Strawberry Lime White Chocolate Gooey Bars are not gluten-free due to the cake mix. However, you can substitute your favorite gluten-free strawberry cake mix to make them celiac-friendly; just watch the bake time as gluten-free mixes sometimes cook a little faster.
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for a vibrant, crowd-pleasing dessert bursting with unique flavor, you absolutely must try Strawberry Lime White Chocolate Gooey Bars. They’re easy, fun, and deliver the perfect combo of fruity, tangy, and gooey-sweet in every bite. Share them with friends, or simply treat yourself to a little slice of happiness!
Print
Strawberry Lime White Chocolate Gooey Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Strawberry Lime White Chocolate Gooey Bars are a delightful treat that combines the fruity flavors of strawberry and lime with creamy white chocolate in a gooey, decadent dessert. Easy to make using a cake mix base, these bars are perfect for any sweet occasion.
Ingredients
For the Bars:
- 1 box (15.25 oz) strawberry cake mix
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- Zest of 1 lime
For the Filling:
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup chopped dried strawberries or freeze-dried strawberries
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
- Prepare the dough: In a medium bowl, mix the cake mix, melted butter, and egg until a thick dough forms. Press two-thirds of the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Make the filling: In another bowl, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, lime zest, lime juice, and salt until well combined. Stir in the white chocolate chips and dried strawberries. Pour the mixture over the crust in the pan.
- Add topping: Crumble the remaining dough over the top in small chunks, leaving some filling exposed.
- Bake: Bake for 28–32 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the center is set but slightly gooey.
- Cool and serve: Cool completely in the pan, then lift out and slice into bars.
Notes
- Store bars in the refrigerator for firmer texture or at room temperature for extra gooeyness.
- Add a few extra white chocolate chips on top before baking for a pretty finish.
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