Quick & Tangy Rhubarb Dream Bars Recipe for Sweet Dreamers

Baking enthusiasts adore these heavenly rhubarb dream bars that blend tangy sweetness with buttery richness.

The classic dessert combines seasonal rhubarb with a crumbly, golden crust that melts in your mouth.

Fresh rhubarb creates a vibrant layer of flavor that sings with every delectable bite.

Each bar offers a perfect balance of tart and sugary notes that dance across your palate.

Home bakers love how simple these bars are to prepare with just a few standard ingredients.

The recipe transforms ordinary rhubarb into an extraordinary treat that will have everyone asking for seconds.

These dream bars are the ultimate summer dessert that celebrates the best of seasonal produce.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Calories: 209 kcal

Servings: 10

Dreamy Ingredients For Rhubarb Dessert Bars

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the base structure and tender crumbly texture for the bar's foundation.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds subtle sweetness and helps create a crisp, golden crust.
• Unsalted Butter: Brings rich flavor, creates flakiness, and helps bind the crust ingredients together.

• Fresh Rhubarb: Delivers vibrant tartness and signature spring flavor with bright pink color and juicy texture.
• Large Eggs: Acts as a binding agent and creates smooth, custardy consistency in the filling.
• Granulated Sugar: Balances rhubarb's natural tartness and provides sweetness to the filling.
• All-Purpose Flour: Helps thicken the filling and provides structure to prevent a runny texture.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile and balances the sweetness of the bars.

• Parchment Paper: Ensures easy removal of bars and prevents sticking to the baking pan.
• Cooking Spray or Butter: Helps prevent sticking and makes pan cleanup easier.

Tools For Making Rhubarb Dream Bars

• 8×8-inch baking pan: Essential for creating perfectly sized rhubarb bars.
• Pastry cutter or fork: Perfect for cutting butter into the flour mixture to create a crumbly crust.
• Medium mixing bowls: Needed for preparing both crust and filling ingredients.
• Whisk: Great for blending eggs, sugar, flour, and salt smoothly.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Parchment paper (optional): Helps with easy bar removal and clean-up.

Steps To Bake Rhubarb Dream Bars Soft And Sweet

• Prepare the Base

Grab a baking pan and get it ready by lightly greasing or lining with parchment paper. Mix flour and sugar, then blend in softened butter until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Press this mixture firmly into the pan to create a delicious foundation.

• Craft the Crust

Pop the pan into a preheated oven at 350F. Bake until the edges turn a beautiful golden color, which takes about 12-15 minutes. This creates a crisp, flavorful base for your dessert.

• Create the Filling

While the crust is baking, whip up a creamy mixture by combining eggs, sugar, flour, and a pinch of salt. Gently fold in fresh, chopped rhubarb to add bursts of tangy flavor throughout the filling.

• Bring It All Together

Pour the rhubarb mixture over the hot crust, spreading it evenly. Return to the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the top looks golden and the filling has set perfectly.

• Cool and Serve

Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. This helps them set and makes cutting into perfect squares easier. Slice and enjoy your dreamy rhubarb creation!

Tips To Keep Rhubarb Dream Bars Light

• Rhubarb Ripeness Matters: Choose fresh, firm rhubarb stalks with bright color for the best flavor and texture in your dream bars.
• Texture Perfection Tip: For a crumblier crust, freeze butter for 10 minutes before cutting it into the flour mixture, creating flakier layers.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap regular flour with a gluten-free all-purpose blend to make these bars suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Flavor Boosting Hack: Add a sprinkle of ground cinnamon or vanilla extract to the filling for an extra depth of flavor that complements the tangy rhubarb.
• Make-Ahead Magic: These bars can be prepared a day in advance and stored in an airtight container at room temperature, making them perfect for easy entertaining.

Serve Rhubarb Dream Bars With Coffee

• Sweet Brunch Companion: Serve these rhubarb bars alongside a fresh cappuccino or herbal tea for a delightful morning treat that brings warmth and comfort.
• Elegant Dessert Plating: Dust the bars with powdered sugar and garnish with a small mint leaf, creating a visually stunning presentation perfect for dinner parties or afternoon gatherings.
• Cool Refreshment Pairing: Top each bar with a dollop of vanilla bean whipped cream or a scoop of light lemon sorbet to balance the rhubarb's tartness and add a refreshing contrast.
• Summer Picnic Star: Cut bars into smaller squares and pack them in a portable container for outdoor events, making them an easy and crowd-pleasing potluck or picnic dessert.

Store Dream Bars To Keep Them Soft

• Fridge-Fresh Storage: Keep bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, ensuring a crisp texture and maintaining delightful flavor profiles.
• Cool-Down Strategy: Allow bars to completely cool at room temperature before storing, preventing moisture buildup that could soften the delicate crust.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for maximum 3 months, thawing at room temperature for best taste restoration.
• Slice-Smart Technique: Cut bars into uniform squares before refrigerating, making grab-and-go snacking easier and maintaining consistent portion sizes for quick enjoyment.

Incredible Rhubarb Dream Bars Recipe

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4.5 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 10 1x

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Description

Sweet rhubarb dream bars blend tangy fruit with creamy custard in a buttery crust. Homemade dessert bars offer a delightful balance of textures that satisfy seasonal cravings and delight you with each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups fresh rhubarb (finely chopped)
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup all-purpose flour (240 ml/120 g)
• ½ cup unsalted butter (softened, 113 g/4 oz)
• 1 cup granulated sugar (200 g)
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour (30 g)
• ¼ tsp salt

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Instructions

1. Crust Formation: Blend flour, sugar, and softened butter until crumbly, then firmly press the mixture into a greased 8×8-inch baking pan, creating a uniform base.
2. Initial Baking: Roast the crust in a preheated 350F (175C) oven until edges turn a delicate golden hue, approximately 12-15 minutes.
3. Filling Preparation: Whisk eggs to a light consistency, then incorporate flour, sugar, and salt, creating a smooth custard-like foundation.
4. Rhubarb Integration: Gently fold chopped rhubarb into the egg mixture, ensuring even distribution of the tart crimson pieces throughout the batter.
5. Layering and Final Bake: Pour the rhubarb-infused mixture over the hot crust, then return to the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes until the top achieves a golden, slightly caramelized finish.
6. Cooling and Serving: Allow the bars to cool completely, enabling the layers to set and flavors to harmonize before slicing into elegant squares for serving.

Notes

• Choose Fresh Rhubarb: Select firm, bright red stalks without blemishes for the most vibrant flavor and best texture in your bars.
• Prevent Soggy Crust: Ensure the base is pre-baked until lightly golden to create a crisp foundation that won’t become mushy when adding the wet filling.
• Balance Sweetness: Rhubarb is naturally tart, so adjust sugar levels to complement its sharp flavor without overwhelming the delicate taste.
• Cooling is Crucial: Allow bars to cool completely at room temperature to help filling set properly and achieve clean, neat cutting lines.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 10
• Calories: 209
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 30 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg