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Strawberry-Rhubarb Bars

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Ingredients

Scale

For the Crust:

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
  • 1 large egg yolk

For the Filling:

  • 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and chopped
  • 2 cups rhubarb, chopped
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar (adjust based on sweetness of your fruit)
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Topping:

  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup rolled oats
  • ⅓ cup brown sugar, packed
  • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
  • 1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter, melted
  • A pinch of sea salt for garnish (optional)

Ingredient Highlights

 

  • Strawberries: These sweet and juicy fruits are packed with flavor, making them a perfect match for the tart rhubarb in this recipe.
  • Rhubarb: Rhubarb adds a tart contrast to the sweetness of strawberries, balancing out the overall flavor of the bars.
  • Butter: Both in the crust and topping, the butter creates a rich, tender texture that complements the fruit filling perfectly.
  • Cornstarch: This ingredient helps thicken the fruit filling, giving it the perfect consistency to hold together as bars.

Instructions

Prepare the Crust:

  1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
  2. Make the Crust: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Add the cold butter cubes and use a pastry cutter, fork, or your hands to mix until the butter resembles small crumbs. Stir in the egg yolk and vanilla extract, then mix until the dough comes together.
  3. Press the Crust into the Pan: Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Make sure the crust is smooth and compact. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes, or until the crust is lightly golden. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool slightly.

Prepare the Fruit Filling:

  1. Cook the Fruit: In a medium saucepan, combine the strawberries, rhubarb, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture starts to bubble and thicken (about 5-7 minutes). Once thickened, remove from the heat and set aside to cool.
  2. Pour the Filling Over the Crust: Once the fruit filling has cooled slightly, pour it evenly over the baked crust. Use a spatula to spread the filling into an even layer.

Prepare the Crumble Topping:

  1. Make the Topping: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon (if using), and a pinch of salt. Stir in the melted butter until the mixture is crumbly.
  2. Add the Topping: Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the fruit filling, covering it completely.

Bake the Bars:

  1. Bake: Return the pan to the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is golden and the filling is bubbling around the edges.
  2. Cool: Allow the bars to cool in the pan for at least 10-15 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This will help the bars set and make them easier to cut into squares.

Cut and Serve:

  1. Cut into Bars: Once the bars have cooled completely, cut them into squares or rectangles, depending on your preferred serving size.
  2. Serve: Serve the bars on their own, or with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://buttereats.com/strawberry-rhubarb-bars/