Description
Irresistible strawberry rhubarb crumb bars blend sweet and tangy flavors in a delightful dessert. Buttery crumble layers and fresh seasonal fruit create a perfect summer treat you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruit Layer:
- 2 cups strawberries
- 2 cups rhubarb
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Crumb Base and Topping:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup butter
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Arrange the oven rack in the middle position and heat to 375°F. Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing slight overhang for easy removal.
- Create the base crust by combining dry ingredients in a mixing bowl. Incorporate chilled butter using a pastry cutter or fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse, irregular crumbs. Gently press half of this mixture firmly into the prepared pan, creating an even foundation.
- Prepare the fruit filling by dicing rhubarb and strawberries into uniform pieces. Toss with sugar, cornstarch, and fresh lemon juice, ensuring each fruit piece is evenly coated and glistening.
- Distribute the vibrant fruit mixture carefully across the pressed crust, spreading it to create a uniform layer that reaches the edges of the pan.
- Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture over the fruit, allowing some fruit to peek through, which creates an appealing rustic texture.
- Transfer the pan to the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, watching for a golden-brown surface and bubbling fruit edges that indicate complete cooking.
- Remove from oven and allow bars to cool completely in the pan, which helps the filling set and makes cutting cleaner and more precise.
- Using parchment paper edges, lift the entire dessert from the pan and slice into square bars for serving.
Notes
- Swap ingredients flexibly by using gluten-free flour blend for a celiac-friendly version.
- Freeze extra bars in an airtight container for up to one month, preserving their delicious texture and flavor.
- Reduce sugar slightly if using very ripe, sweet strawberries to maintain balanced tartness from rhubarb.
- Add ground cinnamon or nutmeg to the crumb topping for deeper, warming flavor complexity.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg