Enjoy FREE SHIPPING on U.S. Orders $99+

All Subscriptions Ship Free Within the U.S.

Strawberry Cream Matcha Shortbread Bars & Matcha tea tin

Recipes | August 02, 2021 | B. Fay

Strawberry Cream Matcha Shortbread Bars Recipe

Name: Strawberry Cream Matcha Shortbread Bars
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Japanese
Ingredients: 5 Unique Matcha Drink Recipes; How to Make Matcha Lemonade; How to Make Matcha Banana Bread; Strawberry Cream Matcha Shortbread; Matcha Gin Tonic Cocktail Recipe; Matcha Cupcakes with Matcha Cream Cheese Frosting; How to Make Iced Matcha Green Tea Latte; Matcha Apple Pie Ovenight Oats Recipe; Matcha Bubble Milk Tea Recipe; Vanilla Matcha Hot Chocolate Recipe; Matcha Milk And Honey Bread Recipe; Matcha Strawberry Jam Recipe; Matcha Shortbread Cookies with Milk Glaze

These strawberry cream matcha shortbread bars layer a buttery matcha-infused shortbread base with a silky strawberry panna cotta topping for a dessert that balances earthy, sweet, and fruity flavors in every bite. Made with Senbird Tea matcha green tea powder, this no-fuss recipe requires just 20 minutes of hands-on prep time and yields nine beautiful bars.

Layered iced strawberry matcha latte in a clear glass showing vibrant red strawberry puree, white milk, and bright green matcha with ice on a warm wooden surface in natural sunlight

WHY MATCHA AND STRAWBERRY WORK SO WELL TOGETHER

Matcha's earthy umami depth and strawberry's bright acidity create a natural flavor pairing rooted in contrast. The same principle applies in Japanese wagashi (confections), where matcha is traditionally paired with sweet red bean or fruit-based fillings. The creamy panna cotta layer bridges both flavors, adding richness and a smooth texture that complements the crumbly shortbread underneath. A touch of sea salt in the panna cotta enhances both the matcha and strawberry notes.

Senbird Tea matcha tin with pink strawberry matcha layered dessert bars and fresh strawberries on a wooden board

STRAWBERRY MATCHA SHORTBREAD BARS RECIPE

Makes: 9 bars (3×3 inches) | Prep: 20 minutes | Bake: 18 minutes | Chill: 3-4 hours

INGREDIENTS

For the Matcha Shortbread

170 g (3⁄4 cup) salted butter, softened
50 g (1⁄4 cup) granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
180 g (11⁄2 cups) all-purpose flour
1 tbsp Senbird Tea matcha powder

For the Strawberry Panna Cotta

2 oz (1⁄4 cup) cold water
1 packet powdered gelatin (21⁄4 tsp)
16 oz (2 cups) heavy cream
1 tbsp granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1⁄4 tsp salt
4 tbsp strawberry jelly or seedless jam

INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1: Make the Matcha Shortbread

Preheat and prepare. Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhanging edges to act as a sling for easy removal.
Cream the butter and sugar. Using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment (or a hand mixer), beat the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
Add dry ingredients. Add the vanilla extract, then gradually mix in the flour and Senbird Tea matcha powder until a soft, green-tinted dough forms. Sift the matcha first to prevent clumps.
Press into the pan. Press the dough evenly onto the bottom of the lined pan, ensuring it reaches all edges and corners for uniform thickness.
Bake. Bake for 18-20 minutes until lightly browned at the edges. The shortbread will be puffy when removed but will flatten as it cools. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes until firm.

Step 2: Make the Strawberry Panna Cotta

Bloom the gelatin. Place 1⁄4 cup of cold water in a small bowl and sprinkle the gelatin evenly over the surface. Let it sit for 5 minutes until the gelatin absorbs the water and becomes spongy.
Heat the cream mixture. In a small pot, combine the heavy cream, sugar, vanilla, salt, and strawberry jelly. Heat over medium-low, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is warm and the jelly has dissolved. Do not boil.
Dissolve the gelatin. Remove the pot from heat and stir in the bloomed gelatin until fully dissolved. Let the mixture cool for 2-3 minutes.
Pour over the shortbread. Remove the chilled shortbread from the fridge (it should be firm to the touch) and gently pour the strawberry cream over the top. Refrigerate for 3-4 hours or overnight until the panna cotta is fully set.
Slice and serve. Use the parchment sling to lift the bars from the pan. Cut into 9 squares with a sharp knife dipped in warm water for clean edges.

Hands scooping bright green matcha powder from a Senbird Tea tin into a white chawan matcha bowl during tea preparation

TIPS FOR PERFECT MATCHA SHORTBREAD BARS

Use room-temperature butter. Softened (not melted) butter creams properly with sugar, creating a tender, crumbly matcha-infused shortbread texture. Cold butter produces a dense base.

Chill thoroughly. The panna cotta needs at least 3 hours to set fully. Overnight chilling produces the cleanest slices and firmest texture. Enjoy with a cup of Japanese green tea while you wait.

Store in the fridge. Keep leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The gelatin in the panna cotta will soften at room temperature.

Slice of matcha mille crepe cake with delicate green layers on a plate

MATCHA SHORTBREAD BARS VS. OTHER MATCHA DESSERTS

Dessert	Prep + Cook Time	Difficulty	Requires Oven	Best For
Matcha Shortbread Bars	~4.5 hours (incl. chill)	Moderate	Yes	Dinner parties, gifts
Matcha Banana Bread	~1 hour	Easy	Yes	Everyday snack
Matcha Popsicles	~4 hours (incl. freeze)	Easy	No	Summer treats
Matcha Cookies	~30 minutes	Easy	Yes	Quick baking project
Matcha Mochi Brownies	~45 minutes	Easy	Yes	Chewy texture lovers

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I use fresh strawberries instead of jelly?

Yes, but you will need to cook them down first. Simmer 1 cup of fresh strawberries with 1 tablespoon of sugar until they break down into a thick puree, about 10 minutes. Strain out any seeds before adding to the cream mixture. Strawberry jelly provides the most consistent color and flavor with less effort.

What type of matcha works best for these bars?

Culinary-grade matcha from Senbird Tea is ideal for this recipe. The shortbread contains butter and sugar that complement matcha's slightly bolder flavor. Ceremonial grade also works but its delicate nuances are less noticeable in a baked dessert.

Can I make these bars without gelatin?

For a vegetarian alternative, substitute the powdered gelatin with agar-agar powder. Use 1 teaspoon of agar-agar in place of the gelatin packet. Note that agar sets firmer than gelatin, so the texture will be slightly different-more like a firm custard than a creamy panna cotta.

Why did my panna cotta not set properly?

The most common reason is that the gelatin was not fully dissolved. Make sure the cream mixture is warm (not boiling) when you add the bloomed gelatin, and stir continuously until no granules remain. Also ensure the bars chill for at least 3 full hours before cutting.

How far in advance can I make these?

These bars can be made up to 2 days ahead and stored in the refrigerator. They actually improve with overnight chilling, as the flavors meld and the panna cotta firms to the perfect sliceable consistency. Cut just before serving for the cleanest presentation. Browse our full collection of Japanese tea for the perfect pairing.