Description
Spiced Rhubarb Cream Cheese Bars: Enjoy tart rhubarb swirled in creamy, spiced filling on a buttery crust. Your new favorite spring treat awaits!
Ingredients
Scale
- Crust Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
- Rhubarb Filling Ingredients:
- 4 cups fresh rhubarb, chopped (about ½-inch pieces)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Cream Cheese Layer Ingredients:
- 16 ounces (2 blocks) full-fat cream cheese, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Flavor Boosters & Finishing Touches:
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest (from one lemon)
- Optional: powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Crust Magic:: First things first, let’s get that buttery crust going. In a big bowl, whisk together your flour, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Now, cut in that cold, cold butter. I like to use a pastry blender, but your fingertips work too – just be quick so the butter doesn’t melt! You’re aiming for coarse crumbs, like wet sand. Press this mixture firmly into a parchment-lined 9×13 inch baking dish. I always make sure the corners are super tight; I once had a crust that shrank in the oven because I was too gentle. Pop it in the oven for about 15 minutes, until it’s just starting to turn golden. The smell, oh, it’s already heavenly!
- Rhubarb Prep:: While the crust is doing its thing, chop your rhubarb into small, half-inch pieces. Don’t worry if they’re not perfectly uniform; this is home baking, not a science lab! In a medium saucepan, combine the chopped rhubarb, a bit of sugar, and that lovely lemon juice. Cook it over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the rhubarb softens and breaks down, about 8-10 minutes. It’ll get all jammy and fragrant. This is where the kitchen starts to smell like spring! I always let it cool down a bit before the next step; putting hot rhubarb on cold cream cheese is just asking for trouble, trust me.
- Creamy Dream Layer:: Now for the star of the show! In another bowl, beat your softened cream cheese and the remaining sugar until it’s super smooth and fluffy. Don’t rush this part; lumps are no fun. Then, beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon zest. I swear, the aroma of the spices with the cream cheese is just divine. Make sure you scrape down the sides of the bowl a few times to get everything incorporated. This layer should be thick and luscious, like a cloud!
- Assembly Time:: Once your crust is slightly cooled, spread that beautiful cream cheese mixture evenly over it. Take your time here; a smooth, even layer makes for a prettier bar. Then, gently dollop spoonfuls of your cooled rhubarb mixture over the cream cheese. I like to swirl it a little bit with a knife for a pretty marbled effect, but a simple dollop works too. Don’t overmix it, though, or you’ll lose that distinct two-layer look. I learned that after getting a uniform pink layer once – still tasty, but not quite what I was going for!
- Bake to Perfection:: Carefully place your dish back into the oven. Bake for about 35-45 minutes, or until the cream cheese layer is set and the edges are lightly golden. You’ll know it’s ready when the center has just a slight wobble if you gently shake the pan. Don’t overbake, or the cream cheese can get rubbery – I’ve made that mistake more times than I care to admit! The whole house will smell incredible, a mix of warm spices and tart fruit. It’s truly magic.
- Cool & Serve:: The hardest part? Waiting! Let the bars cool completely on a wire rack. Seriously, completely. Trying to cut them warm is a recipe for a crumbly, messy disaster, and I’ve got the photos to prove it from my earlier attempts. Once they’re totally cool, pop them in the fridge for at least 2 hours to firm up. Then, slice into squares, and serve! Sometimes I dust them with a little powdered sugar for a fancy touch, but they’re honestly perfect as is. Enjoy your Spiced Rhubarb Cream Cheese Bars!