Soft Strawberry Bars with Buttery Base - Chef Melt

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 large egg at room temperature
• 1/2 cup (100 g) tightly packed light brown sugar
• 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 3 1/4 cups (405 g) all-purpose flour, measured properly
• 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons water (don’t add if using frozen berries)
• 2 1/2 cups fresh strawberries or frozen ones, piled high
• 2/3 cup (133 g) sugar for sweetness
• 4 tablespoons heavy cream or whole milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, if you’d like
• 3/4 cup powdered sugar, strained to remove lumps