Easy & Delicious Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble Bars: The Perfect Spring Dessert
Welcome the vibrant flavors of spring with these irresistible Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble Bars! Combining the sweet juiciness of fresh strawberries with the distinct tartness of rhubarb, these bars are topped with a quick, buttery oat crumble and can be finished with an optional sweet icing drizzle. Soft, tender, and bursting with balanced flavor, they are a delightful treat that perfectly captures the essence of the season.
Why This Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble Bars Recipe Works
While a classic rhubarb crumble is always a crowd-pleaser, these strawberry rhubarb crumble bars offer a unique twist with a thicker, more stable consistency. This makes them incredibly convenient, allowing you to easily cut and serve individual portions that hold their shape beautifully. This portability is a game-changer, making them an excellent choice for potlucks, picnics, family gatherings, or any occasion where you need a dessert that’s easy to transport and share.
Beyond their practicality, this recipe shines for its perfect balance of flavors and textures. The combination of sweet strawberries and tart rhubarb creates a harmonious filling that’s both refreshing and comforting. The buttery, golden oat crumble topping adds a delightful crunch, contrasting wonderfully with the soft fruit layer. It’s a dessert that feels special and homemade, yet comes together with surprising ease, making it a reliable favorite for both experienced bakers and beginners alike.
Key Ingredients for Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble Bars
To create these delightful strawberry rhubarb bars, you’ll need a selection of common pantry staples and fresh produce. The full list of measurements and detailed instructions can be found in the printable recipe card at the end of this post, but let’s highlight the stars of the show.
Ingredient Spotlight & Expert Substitution Tips
For the Crumble Topping: Our signature crumble is a blend of quick oats, all-purpose flour, light brown sugar, granulated sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, and unsalted butter. Quick oats are preferred here as they create a finer, more integrated crumble texture compared to old-fashioned rolled oats, which can be chewier. For the butter, always use unsalted butter if possible to control the sodium content. If you only have salted butter on hand, simply omit the ¼ teaspoon of salt called for in the topping mixture. The optional icing drizzle, made from powdered sugar and milk, adds a lovely touch of sweetness and a polished finish.
For the Fruit Filling: The heart of these bars is the vibrant combination of fresh strawberries and rhubarb. These are tossed with fresh lemon juice, granulated sugar, and cornstarch. The lemon juice is crucial not only for brightening the flavors and cutting through the sweetness but also for its acidity, which helps the filling set properly, ensuring your bars hold their shape when sliced. Cornstarch acts as a thickener, preventing a runny filling. Using fresh, in-season fruit will yield the best flavor, but we’ll discuss options for frozen fruit below.
How to Make Delicious Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble Bars
These step-by-step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.
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Prepare the Crumble Topping: In a large bowl, combine all dry topping ingredients (flour, quick oats, both sugars, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt). Mix them thoroughly. Then, add the room-temperature unsalted butter. Work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture is crumbly and uniformly moist, with no dry spots remaining. The goal is a texture resembling coarse sand with some pea-sized crumbs.
EXPERT TIP – For mixing the crumble, you can use a pastry cutter, two butter knives (in a scissor-like motion), or even a fork. However, I find the easiest and most effective method is to simply use your fingertips. This allows you to feel the texture and ensure the butter is evenly distributed without overworking the mixture.
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Form the Base: Take about two-thirds of the prepared crumble mixture (approximately 3 scant cups) and press it firmly into an 8×8 baking dish that has been lined with parchment paper. This parchment paper is key for easy removal of the bars later! Use the palm of your hand or the back of a measuring cup to compact the crust evenly across the bottom of the pan.
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Prepare and Add the Filling: In a separate large bowl, combine the hulled and diced strawberries with the sliced rhubarb. Drizzle with fresh lemon juice and toss gently. Then, sprinkle the granulated sugar and cornstarch over the fruit mixture, tossing again until all the fruit pieces are completely coated. Carefully spoon this luscious fruit mixture evenly over the prepared crust in the baking dish.
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Top and Bake: Evenly sprinkle the remaining one-third of the crumble topping (approximately 1 cup) over the fruit filling. Bake in a preheated oven for 35-45 minutes, or until the fruit filling is bubbling merrily around the edges and the crumble topping is beautifully golden brown and set.
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Cool and Serve: Once baked, remove the dish from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely on a wire rack. Cooling is crucial for the filling to set properly, ensuring clean slices. Once fully cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to carefully lift the entire slab of bars out of the baking dish. Place it on a cutting board and slice into desired squares or rectangles. Optionally, drizzle with the homemade icing before serving for an extra touch of sweetness.
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips for Perfect Crumble Bars
Yes, you absolutely can! These crumble bars can be prepared up to 1 day in advance. We don’t recommend making them much further ahead, as the crumble topping might soften slightly over time. For best results, you can make the crumble topping mixture a few days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator or even the freezer until you’re ready to bake. This pre-prep step saves time on baking day!
To keep your delicious crumble bars fresh, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. While they will still be tasty, note that the topping may lose a bit of its crispness the longer they are stored. For short periods, like a few hours for a party, they will be perfectly fine at room temperature.
While fresh fruit is recommended for optimal flavor and texture, you can certainly use frozen strawberries and frozen rhubarb if that’s what you have available. If using frozen, allow the fruit to thaw completely to room temperature. Once thawed, pat them very dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This step is crucial to prevent a soggy filling. You might also consider adding an extra half tablespoon of cornstarch to the filling mixture to account for any residual moisture from the frozen fruit.
Look for a few key indicators. The fruit filling should be visibly bubbling around the edges of the pan and through the topping. The crumble topping itself should be golden brown and appear set, not raw or doughy. If the topping is browning too quickly, you can loosely tent the dish with aluminum foil for the remaining bake time.
Yes, these bars freeze wonderfully! Once completely cooled, cut the bars into individual portions. Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then, transfer the frozen bars to an airtight freezer-safe container or bag, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or gently reheat in the oven for a quick treat.
Creative Serving Suggestions for Your Crumble Bars
These versatile bars are delicious served in many ways! While they are fantastic on their own, especially with that optional icing drizzle, here are a few ideas to elevate your dessert experience:
- Warm with Ice Cream: For a truly indulgent treat, serve the bars warm, fresh from the oven, with a generous scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. Just remember, they won’t be as firm if served warm, so grab a spoon!
- Cool & Portable: Once completely cooled and set, slice the bars into perfect squares or rectangles. Their sturdy structure makes them ideal for packing into lunchboxes, taking to office potlucks, or enjoying as a grab-and-go snack.
- With Whipped Cream: A dollop of freshly made whipped cream adds a light and airy counterpoint to the rich fruit and crumble.
- For Brunch: These bars are not just for dessert! They make a wonderful addition to a brunch spread, offering a sweet and fruity option that’s less formal than a pie.
Strawberry rhubarb crumble bars are a fantastic way to utilize the bounty of spring. Whether you’re using up those freshly picked strawberries from a farm adventure or the crisp rhubarb from your garden, there’s nothing quite like a seasonal homemade treat. And don’t worry if fresh ingredients aren’t available year-round; these bars can still be made using frozen rhubarb, allowing you to enjoy this delightful dessert anytime you crave it!
More Delightful Cobbler and Crisp Recipes to Try
If you love the comforting flavors and textures of crumbles and cobblers, be sure to explore these other delicious recipes:
- Classic Rhubarb Crisp
- Homemade Blueberry Cobbler
- Refreshing Summer Fruit Crisp
- Easy Crockpot Apple Cobbler
- Simple Peach Cobbler Dump Cake
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Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble Bars
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
Crumble Topping
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 cup quick oats
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter 2 sticks, at room temperature
Filling
- 16 oz strawberries hulled and diced
- 2 cups rhubarb sliced into 1/4-1/2 inch thickness
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- 3 Tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
Optional Icing Drizzle
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1-2 teaspoons milk
Things You’ll Need
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8×8 baking pan
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Mixing bowls
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Wire cooling racks
Before You Begin
- You can use a pastry cutter or two butter knives, scissor style, to mix the crumble. I find it easiest to just use my fingers to combine the ingredients.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides for easy removal.
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 F. Line an 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper.
For The Topping
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Combine all topping ingredients, except the butter, in a large bowl and mix together. Add the butter and work until all is crumbly and somewhat wet looking. We don’t want any dry spots in the mix.2 cups all purpose flour, 1 cup quick oats, 1/2 cup light brown sugar, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1 cup unsalted butter
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Take 2/3 of the bowl contents (approximately 3 scant cups) and press into a parchment-lined 8×8 baking dish. Pat it down firmly with the palm of your hand or the back of a measuring cup.
For The Filling
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Toss prepared strawberries and rhubarb in a large bowl with lemon juice. Sprinkle sugar and cornstarch over the fruit, tossing to coat completely. Spoon fruit mixture over the crust.16 oz strawberries, 2 cups rhubarb, 1 Tablespoon lemon juice, 3 Tablespoons granulated sugar, 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
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Top with remaining 1/3 of crumb topping (approximately 1 cup) and bake for 35-45 minutes. The filling should be bubbling, and the topping should be set.
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Cool on a wire rack. Remove from baking dish using the parchment paper and slice into squares or rectangles to serve.
Optional Glaze
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Mix 1/2 cup powdered sugar with 1 teaspoon of milk. Add another teaspoon of milk if needed to reach drizzling consistency. Drizzle over the top of crumble bars before serving.1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1-2 teaspoons milk
Expert Tips & FAQs
- Storage – You can store your crumble bars in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, though the longer they sit the softer the crumble may get. You can also keep these at room temperature for a few hours and they will be just fine!
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.
This post was originally published here on May 17, 2021.