Delicious Rhubarb Cream Cheese Bars Perfect for Any Celebration

Why make this recipe

Rhubarb Cream Cheese Bars are a delightful treat that brings a burst of flavor and texture to your celebrations. They are sweet, tangy, and creamy, making them a perfect dessert for birthdays, picnics, or any gathering. With a crumbly base and a creamy filling, these bars are sure to impress your friends and family. Plus, they are simple to make, so you can bake them even on busy days.

How to make Delicious Rhubarb Cream Cheese Bars

Ingredients :

• 2 cups all-purpose flour (can substitute with gluten-free flour)
• 1 cup granulated sugar (can use stevia or a sugar substitute)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (can use margarine)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional nutmeg can be used for variation)
• 8 ounces cream cheese (can use Greek yogurt as a lower-fat alternative)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (can replace with almond extract)
• 1 large egg (can use a flax egg for vegan option)
• 2 cups rhubarb (can substitute with cranberries or raspberries)
• 1/2 cup brown sugar (can use light brown sugar)
• 1 cup rolled oats (can use quick oats)
• 1/2 cup melted butter (can use coconut oil for dairy-free option)

Directions :

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large bowl, mix flour, granulated sugar, and cinnamon. Add in the melted butter and stir until combined.
3. Press half of this mixture into the bottom of a greased 9×13 inch baking pan to form the crust.
4. In another bowl, beat together cream cheese, vanilla extract, and the egg until smooth. Spread this cream cheese mixture over the crust in the pan.
5. Chop rhubarb into small pieces and sprinkle evenly over the cream cheese layer.
6. In the same bowl used for the crust mixture, stir in the brown sugar and oats. Crumble this over the rhubarb layer.
7. Bake for about 40-45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
8. Allow to cool, then cut into bars and enjoy!

How to serve Delicious Rhubarb Cream Cheese Bars

These bars are best served chilled or at room temperature. You can enjoy them as is, or add a dollop of whipped cream on top for extra sweetness. They also pair nicely with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful dessert.

How to store Delicious Rhubarb Cream Cheese Bars

Store any leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to a week. If you want to keep them longer, consider freezing them for up to three months. Just wrap each bar in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container.

Tips to make Delicious Rhubarb Cream Cheese Bars

• Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature for a smooth filling.
• If you’re not a fan of rhubarb, you can easily swap it out for strawberries, blueberries, or any other fruit you like.
• For added flavor, consider mixing in some nuts or chocolate chips into the crumble topping.

Variation (if any)

Feel free to mix up the fruit in this recipe. You can use cranberries or raspberries instead of rhubarb. You could also try adding a sprinkle of lemon zest to the cream cheese filling for a refreshing twist.

FAQs

Can I make these bars gluten-free?
Yes, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.

How can I make this recipe vegan?
You can use a flax egg instead of a large egg, and substitute cream cheese with Greek yogurt or a vegan cream cheese alternative.

How long do these bars last in the fridge?
They can last up to a week in the refrigerator when stored in an airtight container.

Rhubarb Cream Cheese Bars

Sweet, tangy, and creamy dessert bars made with rhubarb, perfect for gatherings.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Servings: 12 bars

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American

Calories: 250

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Crust

• 2 cups all-purpose flour can substitute with gluten-free flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar can use stevia or a sugar substitute
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter can use margarine
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon optional nutmeg can be used for variation

Filling

• 8 ounces cream cheese can use Greek yogurt as a lower-fat alternative
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract can replace with almond extract
• 1 large egg can use a flax egg for vegan option
• 2 cups rhubarb can substitute with cranberries or raspberries

Topping

• 1/2 cup brown sugar can use light brown sugar
• 1 cup rolled oats can use quick oats
• 1/2 cup melted butter can use coconut oil for dairy-free option

Method

 

Preparation

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large bowl, mix flour, granulated sugar, and cinnamon. Add in the melted butter and stir until combined.
3. Press half of this mixture into the bottom of a greased 9×13 inch baking pan to form the crust.
4. In another bowl, beat together cream cheese, vanilla extract, and the egg until smooth. Spread this cream cheese mixture over the crust in the pan.
5. Chop rhubarb into small pieces and sprinkle evenly over the cream cheese layer.
6. In the same bowl used for the crust mixture, stir in the brown sugar and oats. Crumble this over the rhubarb layer.
7. Bake for about 40-45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
8. Allow to cool, then cut into bars and enjoy!

Notes

These bars are best served chilled or at room temperature. You can enjoy them as is, or add a dollop of whipped cream on top for extra sweetness. They also pair nicely with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful dessert. Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature for a smooth filling. If you're not a fan of rhubarb, you can easily swap it out for strawberries, blueberries, or any other fruit you like. For added flavor, consider mixing in some nuts or chocolate chips into the crumble topping.