Lemon Rhubarb Bars
Bright, tangy Lemon Rhubarb Bars featuring a buttery, flaky crust and a zesty, fruity filling. Perfectly balanced between sweet and tart, these bars are easy to make with fresh ingredients and ideal for tea time or any gathering.
- Author: Barbara
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Can be adapted to Gluten Free or Vegan
Crust
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, chilled and cut into pieces
- 2 large eggs
Filling
- 2 cups fresh rhubarb, washed and chopped into small pieces
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- Prepare the Rhubarb Filling: Wash and chop the fresh rhubarb into small pieces. In a bowl, combine the rhubarb with granulated sugar, fresh lemon juice, and lemon zest. Let the mixture sit while preparing the crust to soften the rhubarb and meld the flavors.
- Make the Crust: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Cut in the chilled unsalted butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the eggs and stir until a dough forms.
- Press the Base: Press about two-thirds of the dough evenly into a lined baking pan to form the base crust.
- Assemble and Bake: Spread the prepared rhubarb filling evenly over the crust. Crumble the remaining dough on top for a rustic finish. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 35-40 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the filling bubbles gently.
- Cool and Slice: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan so the filling sets properly. Once cooled, cut into small squares and serve.
Notes
- Use fresh rhubarb for the best flavor and texture; frozen rhubarb can make the filling watery.
- Handle the dough minimally to keep the crust tender and flaky.
- Adjust the sugar amount based on tartness of rhubarb for perfect balance.
- Line the baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal and clean slicing.
- Cool the bars completely before slicing to prevent filling from spilling out.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (approx. 2-inch square)
- Calories: 190 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
Keywords: Lemon Rhubarb Bars, Tangy dessert, Tea time treat, Butter crust bar, Rhubarb dessert