Homemade Good Humor Strawberry Shortcake Bars: A Nostalgic Summer Treat

A homemade twist on a classic ice cream treat that evokes childhood summers.

By Medha deb

Created on Sep 17, 2025

A homemade twist on a classic ice cream treat that evokes childhood summers.

Copycat Good Humor Strawberry Shortcake Bars

The familiar jingle of the ice cream truck, the warm haze of summer, and that first bite of a Good Humor Strawberry Shortcake Bar—for many, these memories bring instant nostalgia. Now, you can capture the magic at home with this detailed recipe, making it possible to enjoy these iconic treats any time of year. These bars feature creamy vanilla and strawberry ice cream layers, a naturally fruity center, and that famous crunchy, crumb-coated exterior. Whether it’s for backyard BBQs, birthday parties, or just a taste of childhood, these homemade strawberry shortcake bars are sure to delight.

Why Make Copycat Strawberry Shortcake Bars at Home?

No preservatives or artificial flavors: Control the ingredients for a fresher, more wholesome treat.
Customizable flavors: Adjust sweetness, fruit intensity, or even create dairy-free or allergy-friendly versions.
Fun and rewarding: The crunchy exterior and creamy layers deliver a fun, hands-on project perfect for families.

Ingredients You’ll Need

To create the most authentic flavor and texture, follow these ingredient recommendations. Most are pantry staples, with just a few specialty items readily found at any grocery store.

Vanilla ice cream base: Whole milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt.
Strawberry ice cream base: Fresh or frozen strawberries, sugar, lemon juice, and a bit of vanilla.
Crunchy coating:
- Shortbread or vanilla wafer cookies (for buttery crunch)
- Freeze-dried strawberries (for vibrant color and real fruit flavor)
- Butter (to help everything stick together)
Equipment:
- 8×8″ or 9×9″ baking pan (for uniform bars)
- Parchment paper
- Food processor or blender (for the coating)
- Popsicle sticks or wooden craft sticks

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare Vanilla Ice Cream Layer

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the cold whole milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, and a small pinch of salt until the sugar dissolves. Pour this mixture into a lined baking pan, spread evenly, and freeze until partially firm—about 1 hour.

2. Make the Strawberry Ice Cream Layer

While the vanilla layer sets, combine the strawberries and sugar in a saucepan or microwave and cook briefly until the berries release juice and soften. Let the mixture cool, then puree in a blender or food processor with lemon juice and vanilla until smooth. Blend into prepared vanilla ice cream base, pour over the now-firm vanilla layer, and return to the freezer for another 1-2 hours until both layers are solid but easy to cut.

3. Create the Crunchy Strawberry Shortcake Coating

In a food processor, pulse the cookies and freeze-dried strawberries until you have fine crumbs.
Add melted butter; pulse just until combined and the mixture is crumbly and slightly moist.
Pour the coating into a shallow dish or plate for easy application.

4. Cut and Assemble the Bars

Lift the frozen layers from the pan using the parchment paper as handles.
On a cutting board, trim the edges for perfect squares, then divide into bars of desired size (usually 8-12 bars per batch).
Gently insert a popsicle stick halfway into the bottom of each bar.
Immediately, while still frozen, press each bar into the strawberry shortcake crunch coating, covering all sides and ends. If any coating falls off, gently press more on with your hands—it’s part of the fun!
Transfer completed bars onto a tray and return to the freezer for at least 2 hours or until completely firm.

Tips for Perfect Results

Work Quickly: Ice cream softens rapidly at room temperature, so keep uncoated bars in the freezer until ready to coat, and work in small batches.
Seal Well: For longer storage, individually wrap each bar tightly in plastic wrap after the final freeze.
Flavor Variations: Substitute raspberries, blueberries, or peaches for the strawberry layer to create new twists.
Dairy-Free Option: Use full-fat coconut milk and coconut cream in place of dairy, and a suitable plant-based butter for the coating.

Nutritional Information

Component	Approximate Calories	Main Nutrients
One bar (average size)	200–250	Carbohydrates, fat, protein, Vitamin C
Freeze-dried strawberry & cookie coating	60–90	Fiber, sugar, fats
Homemade vs. store-bought	Similar	Fewer preservatives (homemade)

How to Store & Serve Homemade Strawberry Shortcake Bars

After coating and final freezing, store the bars individually wrapped in plastic wrap or wax paper in an airtight container. They’ll keep in the freezer up to 2 weeks with little loss in texture or flavor. Always serve straight from the freezer for maximum crunch and creaminess.

Shortcut Variations

Use your favorite store-bought vanilla and strawberry ice cream layers to save time.
Try ready-made strawberry wafer cookies or flavored cereal in the coating for unique takes.

Why Everyone Loves These Classic Bars

Beyond their delightful appearance and taste, the Good Humor Strawberry Shortcake Bars offer:

A harmony of creamy, fruity, and crunchy layers
Memories of childhood summers and ice cream truck visits
The charm of homemade desserts that bring people together

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I prevent my bars from melting while coating?

Work one bar at a time, keeping the rest in the freezer during assembly. Roll each quickly in the crumb mixture and return it to the tray or freezer immediately.

Can I make these gluten-free?

Yes! Use certified gluten-free vanilla cookies in place of traditional shortbread or wafer cookies, and double-check that all other ingredients are gluten-free.

Do I need an ice cream maker?

No special equipment is required. The freezer method creates a delightfully creamy texture due to the high-fat content and the thin, quick-freezing layers.

How long do they keep in the freezer?

Well-wrapped bars can be stored for up to 2 weeks. For optimal texture, eat within the first week to preserve the crunch of the coating.

Can I use fresh strawberries only?

For the ice cream layer, using fresh strawberries gives the best flavor. Freeze-dried strawberries are used for the coating due to their intense strawberry flavor and crispy texture.

Serving Suggestions

Add a drizzle of melted white chocolate for a Deluxe touch.
Serve alongside lemonade, iced tea, or sparkling water for a bright summer treat.
Create a DIY dessert bar with bowls of extra crunch mix, sprinkles, or chocolate chips for dipping.

Make It a Family Tradition

One of the biggest joys of recreating classic treats at home is the chance to make new family memories. Invite kids or friends to help press on the coating, experiment with different fruit flavors, or decorate bars with festive toppings for a holiday twist. Perfect for summer birthdays, neighborhood gatherings, or simply cooling off on a hot evening, these homemade strawberry shortcake bars deliver summer fun with every nostalgic bite.

More Homemade Ice Cream Truck Favorites

Chocolate Eclair Bars: Swap strawberry for cocoa powder and chocolate cookies for a fudgey variation.
Orange Creamsicle Bars: Layer sweet orange puree with vanilla ice cream, then roll in vanilla cookie crumbs.
Classic Ice Cream Sandwiches: Use homemade soft cookies as the base for endless flavor combinations.

With simple ingredients and a little time, you can bring the ultimate summer nostalgia into your kitchen. Whether enjoyed outdoors on a sunny day or as a sweet ending to dinner, these copycat Good Humor Strawberry Shortcake Bars are a treat the whole family will ask for again and again.

References

Author

medha deb

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

Read full bio of medha deb