Description
Sweet strawberry rhubarb crumb bars blend tangy fruit with buttery, crumbly goodness. Homemade comfort emerges from simple ingredients, promising delightful bites you’ll savor with pure summer pleasure.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter (226 grams)
- 1 egg
- 2 cups fresh strawberries
- 2 cups fresh rhubarb
Binding/Stabilizing Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Flavoring Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating to 350°F and coating a baking pan with a thin layer of grease to prevent sticking.
- Create the crumbly base by combining flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl, then incorporate cold butter and beaten egg until the mixture develops a coarse, sandy texture.
- Firmly press half of the crumb mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan, creating an even, compact foundation for the dessert.
- Craft the fruity filling by gently tossing fresh strawberries and chopped rhubarb with lemon juice, sugar, cornstarch, and vanilla extract, ensuring each piece is well-coated and distributed.
- Carefully spread the vibrant fruit mixture across the prepared crust, creating a colorful and even layer that will provide a burst of flavor.
- Delicately sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture over the fruit, allowing some of the filling to peek through and create an appealing textural contrast.
- Transfer the pan to the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, watching for a golden-brown topping and bubbling fruit that indicates the bars are perfectly cooked.
- Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature, which helps them set and makes cutting into neat squares easier.
Notes
- Keep bars in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days or refrigerate for up to a week to maintain freshness and prevent soggy texture.
- Replace fresh strawberries with frozen ones during off-season, but drain excess liquid before mixing to prevent runny filling.
- Substitute gluten-free flour blend for regular flour to make the recipe suitable for gluten-sensitive individuals without compromising taste or texture.
- Toast the crumb topping ingredients briefly before mixing to develop deeper, nuttier undertones that complement the tangy fruit filling.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg