Rhubarb Dream Bars 🌷🍰


These Rhubarb Dream Bars are a delightful twist on classic dessert bars, combining a buttery shortbread crust, tangy rhubarb filling, and a crumbly streusel topping. With their vibrant pink hue and sweet-tart flavor, these bars are a celebration of spring and summer produce. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or afternoon tea, they’re easy to make and utterly irresistible. Let’s bake up this fruity treat!

Ingredients You’ll Need:

For the Crust and Streusel Topping:

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter , cold and cubed

For the Rhubarb Filling:

  • 3 cups diced fresh rhubarb (about 1/2-inch pieces)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice (to balance tartness)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional, for added sweetness)

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) . Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal. Lightly grease the parchment paper.

Step 2: Make the Crust and Streusel

  1. In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Add the cold, cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to blend until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  2. Reserve 1 cup of the mixture for the streusel topping. Press the remaining mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust.

Step 3: Prepare the Rhubarb Filling

  1. In a saucepan, combine the diced rhubarb, sugar, cornstarch, water, and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens and the rhubarb softens (about 8–10 minutes ).
  2. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract, if using. Let the filling cool slightly before spreading it over the crust.

Step 4: Assemble and Bake

  1. Spread the rhubarb filling evenly over the crust. Sprinkle the reserved streusel topping over the filling, pressing lightly to help it adhere.
  2. Bake in the preheated oven for 35–40 minutes , or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling around the edges.

Step 5: Cool and Serve

  1. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This helps the filling set and makes slicing easier.
  2. Once cooled, lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang. Cut into squares or rectangles and serve.

 

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