Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble Bars

Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble Bars are made with a buttery almond crust and crumble topping.  Filled with spring rhubarb and strawberries.

Rhubarb + Strawberries = Spring!  Spring Rhubarb stirs up memories of my grandma’s strawberry rhubarb pie and her strawberry rhubarb jam (best!) on her homemade rolls.  How I miss that wonderful lady.  

Rhubarb can be hard to find.  If you’re lucky, you have a large rhubarb bush tucked away in your yard. If not, start snooping around your neighbor’s yard.  Maybe they have enough to share.  If not, look for a farmers market or start bugging your local grocery store produce department. 

Why I love Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble Bars

• Top reason – They are buttery and delicious 
• So easy to make and much easier than a pie.
• The tart strawberry and rhubarb filling goes so well with a buttery almond crust
• Serve hot with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
• Cool the bars after baking then cut into bars for the perfect finger food snack.
• Memories!

Almond Crumble Topping

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease or spray a 13×9 inch pan and set aside or line with parchment paper.
• In a medium bowl whisk the sugar, flour, baking powder, and salt. Using a pastry cutter or a food processor fitted with a metal blade, blend or pulse in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse sand. Add the beaten egg and mix until the dough starts to hold together but is still crumbly.
• Firmly press 2/3 of the crumble mixture into the prepared pan. Set aside.  If you want a thicker crust, press 3/4 of the crumble into the pan.  Reserve the remaining crumble to the top layer. 

Strawberry Rhubarb Filling

• Cut rhubarb and strawberries into small pieces (approx. 1/2-inch). In a large mixing bowl whisk together the sugar and cornstarch. Add the orange juice, zest, almond extract, and prepared fruit. Toss to combine.
• Pour the fruit over the crust and spread evenly.
• Crumble the remaining topping over the fruit. If you want larger crumble pieces press the dough with your hands to form larger clumps.
• Bake for 40-45 minutes or until the fruit begins to bubble through the crumble topping and the topping is beginning to brown. Cool completely.

The Drizzle

• Once the bars have completely cooled then whisk together the icing ingredients then drizzle over the top of the bars.  
• Let the glaze harden over a bit then cut these delicious suckers into large squares…if you’re counting calories, cut them into small squares.  😉

Just a few tips:

• Bars can be frozen.  HOWEVER, they have a tendency to soften if frozen or refrigerated.  I think they are best the day they are baked.
• If you are gluten-free, replace the all-purpose flour with almond flour.  
• Nut allergies?  No problem.  Just omit the almond flour and use 3 cups of all-purpose flour.  Omit the almond extract and use vanilla.
• In the case, rhubarb isn’t available, use all strawberries or use a blend of fresh berries.

4.67 from 3 votes

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Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble Bars

Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble Bars are made with a buttery almond crust and crumble topping.  Filled with fresh rhubarb and strawberries, this easy dessert bars recipe is the perfect fruity and sweet treat for spring.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword Rhubarb, rhubarb and strawberries, strawberry rhubarb, Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble Bars

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 19 minutes

Servings 16 bars

Calories 325 kcal

Author Janet Barton

Ingredients

Crust and Crumble

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup almond flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup butter cold cut into cubes
• 1 egg large, lightly beaten

Strawberry Rhubarb Layer

• ½ cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1/3 cup orange juice
• zest from 1 orange
• 1 tsp almond extract
• 2 cups rhubarb cut into small pieces approx 1/2-inch
• 2 cups strawberries cut into small pieces approx 1/2-inch

Icing

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• ½ teaspoon almond extract
• 2-4 tablespoon Cream more or less for desired consistency

Instructions

Crust and Crumble

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F if using a glass pan, or 375°F for a metal pan. Lightly grease or spray a 13×9 inch pan and set aside.
2. In a medium bowl whisk the sugar, flour, baking powder, and salt. Using a pastry cutter or a food processor fitted with a metal blade, blend or pulse in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse sand. Add the beaten egg and mix until the dough starts to hold together but is still crumbly. Firmly press 2/3 of the crumble mixture into the prepared pan. Set aside.

Fruit Layer

1. In a large mixing bowl whisk together the sugar and cornstarch. Add the orange juice, zest, almond extract, rhubarb and strawberries and toss to combine. Pour the fruit over the crust and spread evenly. Crumble the remaining topping over the fruit. If you want larger crumble pieces press the dough with your hands to form larger clumps.
2. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until the fruit begins to bubble through the crumble topping and the topping is beginning to brown. Cool completely. Whisk together the icing ingredients then drizzle over the top of the bars.

Recipe Notes

• You can use chopped frozen fruit if fresh rhubarb and strawberries aren't available. Do not thaw before macerating in sugar.
• If you are gluten-free, replace the all-purpose flour with almond flour.  
• Nut allergies?  No problem.  Just omit the almond flour and use 3 cups of all-purpose flour.  Omit the almond extract and use vanilla.
• In the case, rhubarb isn't available, use all strawberries or use a blend of fresh berries.
• Feel free leave off the drizzle less for a slightly less sweet treat without as much sugar.
• Keep the bars in a container with a lid, and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• Bars can be frozen.  HOWEVER, they have a tendency to soften if frozen or refrigerated.  I think they are best the day they are baked.

Nutrition Facts

Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble Bars

Amount Per Serving (1 bar)

Calories 325 Calories from Fat 144

% Daily Value*

Fat 16g25%

Saturated Fat 8g40%

Trans Fat 1g

Cholesterol 43mg14%

Sodium 180mg8%

Potassium 133mg4%

Carbohydrates 43g14%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 28g31%

Protein 4g8%

Vitamin A 425IU9%

Vitamin C 14mg17%

Calcium 51mg5%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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