Frozen Strawberry Goat Cheese Bars: Your Ultimate Gluten-Free Summer Delight!
Get ready to meet your new favorite summer treat: Frozen Strawberry Goat Cheese Bars! This isn’t just any dessert; it’s a gluten-free, healthy-ish indulgence that perfectly captures the essence of warm, sunny days. Imagine a luscious, sweet, and tangy strawberry goat cheese filling, perfectly balanced atop a rich, baked cocoa almond crust. These bars are not only incredibly delicious but also incredibly convenient, making them ideal for prepping ahead and storing in the freezer. Whether you’re hosting a summer gathering or simply need a delightful way to satisfy that sweet craving, these beauties are an absolute must-try!
Is there anything more satisfying than a refreshing frozen treat when the summer sun is beating down? I truly hope you agree, because today I’m thrilled to share yet another incredible frozen dessert that will undoubtedly become a staple in your warm-weather repertoire – these irresistible Frozen Strawberry Goat Cheese Bars! They offer a unique blend of flavors and textures, making them stand out from your typical ice cream or sorbet.
Beat the Heat with Delicious Freezer-Friendly Desserts
It’s been quite the sweltering and humid week here, which means my freezer has been my best friend! I’ve been happily consuming my weight in delightful frozen concoctions, from refreshing raspberry nice cream pops to, of course, these fantastic frozen strawberry goat cheese bars. And no judgment, please – it’s summer, a season for indulgence and cooling down! Besides, when you spend as much time recipe testing as I do, you end up with a freezer stocked full of frozen treats that absolutely must be enjoyed. It’s a delicious duty, really!
The Magic of Goat Cheese in Frozen Desserts
Unlike the dairy-free nice cream I often make, these Frozen Strawberry Goat Cheese Bars do contain dairy. However, for those of us who can enjoy it, goat cheese is a fantastic ingredient that brings a unique tang and creaminess to desserts. And guess what? It works absolutely perfectly in frozen applications, providing a delightful counterpoint to sweet fruits. Last summer, I shared my beloved Frozen Blackberry Goat Cheese Chocolate Bombs. If you haven’t had the pleasure of trying those yet, I wholeheartedly recommend them! The combination of mashed berries, creamy goat cheese, and a hint of honey creates an exquisitely sweet and tangy filling. Pair that with chocolate, and you have pure dessert heaven!
So, when I recently got my hands on some gorgeous, fresh local strawberries, I knew instantly that another frozen goat cheese dessert was in order. Inspired by the success of the blackberry bombs, I experimented with a few variations, fine-tuning the flavors and textures until these sensational Frozen Strawberry Goat Cheese Bars were born. The delicate sweetness of strawberries, combined with the signature tang of goat cheese, creates a flavor profile that is both sophisticated and incredibly refreshing.
Crafting the Perfect Frozen Strawberry Goat Cheese Bars
Let’s talk about what makes these bars truly special. Each element is carefully chosen to contribute to a harmonious and utterly delightful experience. The base is a simple yet incredibly flavorful cocoa almond crust. Made with finely ground almonds and unsweetened cocoa, it offers a rich, slightly bitter note that perfectly complements the sweet and tart filling. It’s baked to a tender crispness, providing a wonderful textural contrast to the creamy topping.
The star of the show, the strawberry goat cheese filling, is a revelation. Fresh (or frozen) strawberries are gently simmered and mashed, intensifying their natural sweetness and creating a vibrant, fruity base. This is then whipped together with soft goat cheese, a touch of honey for natural sweetness, and a hint of vanilla extract. The result is a smooth, velvety filling that’s bursting with strawberry flavor and a subtle, irresistible tang from the goat cheese. This unique combination elevates the dessert from simply “sweet” to a complex and memorable taste experience.
Tips for Making and Enjoying Your Frozen Strawberry Goat Cheese Bars:
- Plan Ahead: While these bars are surprisingly easy to prepare, they do require a few hours to freeze properly. For optimal enjoyment and convenience, I highly recommend making them the day before any gathering or when you anticipate a craving. This ensures they are perfectly set and ready to slice.
- Berry Versatility: I’ve used luscious strawberries in this recipe, which provide a beautiful color and classic flavor. However, feel free to get creative with other berries! Raspberries would offer a sharper tang, blueberries a milder sweetness, and blackberries a deeper, richer note. Any of these would work beautifully with the goat cheese and cocoa crust.
- Optional (But Highly Recommended!) Topping: The simple chocolate drizzle and crushed pistachios on top are entirely optional, but trust me, they elevate these bars to another level. The dark chocolate adds a touch of bittersweet decadence, while the pistachios provide a fantastic crunch and vibrant green color that contrasts wonderfully with the pink filling. This extra texture and flavor layer is something you won’t want to skip!
- Serving Suggestions: For the best texture, remove the bars from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for about 5-10 minutes before cutting and serving. This allows them to soften slightly, making them easier to slice and enhancing their creamy consistency.
- Storage: Store any leftover bars in an airtight container in the freezer. They’ll keep well for several weeks, ready for whenever a sweet, frozen craving strikes!
And there you have it – an easy, elegant, and utterly delightful frozen dessert that’s perfect for conquering the summer heat! These Frozen Strawberry Goat Cheese Bars are not just a recipe; they’re an experience, offering a sophisticated twist on classic summer treats. I truly hope you give them a try. If you do make them, I would absolutely love to hear what you think! Please share your thoughts in the comments below, or even better, take a photo and share it on Instagram by tagging @crumbtopbaking! Your creations inspire me every day.
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Frozen Strawberry Goat Cheese Bars
5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star
5 from 11 reviews
Author: Leanne
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes plus time for freezing
Yield: 16 bars
Category: Dessert
Description
These delightful Frozen Strawberry Goat Cheese Bars are a gluten-free dream! Featuring a lusciously sweet and tangy strawberry goat cheese filling, beautifully nestled on top of a rich, baked cocoa almond crust. Perfect for a refreshing summer dessert!
Ingredients
For the Cocoa Almond Crust:
- 1 cup + 2 tbsp (100 g package) ground almonds (almond flour works too!)
- 3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 tbsp coconut sugar (or your preferred granulated sweetener)
- 1/4 cup virgin, cold-pressed coconut oil, melted
For the Strawberry Goat Cheese Filling:
- 2 cups chopped strawberries, fresh or frozen (thaw if frozen)
- 300 g package soft goat cheese (chevre), softened at room temperature
- 1/4 cup honey (adjust to your sweetness preference)
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Optional Topping (Highly Recommended!):
- 3 tbsp mini dark chocolate chips
- 1/2 tbsp virgin, cold-pressed coconut oil
- 1/4 cup raw pistachios, crushed (for extra crunch and color)
Instructions
For the Crust:
- Pre-heat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease an 8″x 8″ square tart pan or a baking dish lined with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal.
- In a medium-sized bowl, sift together the ground almonds, unsweetened cocoa powder, and coconut sugar. Stir gently to ensure all dry ingredients are well combined. Add the melted coconut oil and mix thoroughly until the mixture resembles wet sand and holds together when pressed.
- Press the almond-cocoa mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of your prepared tart pan. Use the back of a spoon or your fingers to create a compact base. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the crust smells fragrant.
- Remove the baked crust from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack while you prepare the filling. This step is crucial to ensure a firm crust.
For the Strawberry Goat Cheese Filling:
- In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the chopped strawberries. Simmer over low heat for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the strawberries have softened considerably and released their juices. Remove from heat and mash the strawberries with a fork until mostly broken down. The mixture will be slightly watery; this is normal. Set aside and allow it to cool completely to room temperature.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the softened goat cheese, honey, and vanilla extract. Using an electric mixer (or stand mixer with a paddle attachment), beat on high speed until the mixture is smooth, light, and creamy. Gently fold in the cooled mashed strawberries and mix again on high speed until everything is well combined and the filling has a beautiful pink hue.
- Carefully pour the strawberry goat cheese filling evenly over the cooled cocoa almond crust. Use an offset spatula or the back of a spoon to smooth the top. Place the pan in the freezer for 3-4 hours, or until the bars are completely frozen and firm to the touch.
Optional Topping & Serving:
- Once the bars are frozen solid, prepare the optional topping. In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine the mini dark chocolate chips and 1/2 tablespoon of coconut oil. Microwave for 30 seconds, then remove and stir until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth. Drizzle this melted chocolate over the frozen bars. Immediately sprinkle the crushed raw pistachios over the chocolate drizzle. Act quickly, as the chocolate will set very fast on the cold bars, ensuring the pistachios adhere well.
- Return the bars to the freezer for just a few minutes (5-10 minutes) to allow the chocolate topping to fully set. Once set, remove the pan from the freezer. For easier cutting, let the bars sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before slicing them into desired squares or rectangles.
- Store any leftover Frozen Strawberry Goat Cheese Bars in an airtight container in the freezer. They are best enjoyed within 2-3 weeks.
Notes
- For the most enjoyable texture, always allow a leftover bar to sit at room temperature for a few minutes before indulging. This slight softening will bring out the creamy texture of the filling and make it easier to bite into.
- If you prefer a less sweet dessert, you can slightly reduce the amount of honey in the filling. Taste and adjust to your preference!
- Consider garnishing with a fresh strawberry slice or a sprig of mint for an extra touch of elegance before serving.