These Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp bars are the whole package: delicious, uncomplicated and healthy! (Or at least healthy enough to pass for breakfast, which we were all too happy to eat!) The crisp oat layer on the bottom comes together in the baking dish without dirtying another bowl. The bright rhubarb and sweet strawberry are diced finely and scattered over the crust, which is then finished with some reserved oats as a golden crumble topping. The result is a thick, chewy bar oozing with lightly sweet and tangy fruit, that promises to be an all-occasion go-to recipe.
Notes: These Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp Bars can be dressed up with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to create a dessert no one in their right mind would ever turn down. They can be drizzled with a bit of yogurt and masquerade as breakfast (so good!) or brunch. As-is, these bars are delicious and sturdy enough to cart to a summer BBQ, picnic, or bake sale. It's the go-anywhere, anytime, for anyone bar! I have made several iterations of this recipe, swapping out the fruit, and it’s always a tasty treat.
Read More: The Shared Dessert Bars
Yield: 9 large bars
Time: 55 minutes
1 cup rolled oats
3/4 cup plus up to 2 tablespoons extra all-purpose flour
1/2 cup light brown sugar
Heaping 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon cornstarch (optional, but helps firm up the filling)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon granulated sugar, divided
1 cup small-diced rhubarb (from about 1 1/2 medium stalks)
1 cup small-diced strawberries
Heat oven to 375 degrees F. (For easy removal, line bottom and two sides of 8-by-8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper.)
Place oats, 3/4 cup flour, brown sugar and salt in bottom of baking pan and mix. Pour melted butter over, and stir until clumps form. If the clumps feel soft or look overly damp, add the remaining 2 tablespoons flour. Set aside 1/2 cup of the crumble mixture. Press the rest of the crumb mixture evenly in the bottom of the pan.
Spread half the fruit over the crust. Sprinkle it evenly with cornstarch, then lemon juice, and 1/2 tablespoon of granulated sugar. Spread remaining fruit over this, and top with second 1/2 tablespoon sugar. Scatter reserved crumbs over fruit and bake bars for 30 to 40 minutes (firmer fruits will take longer), until fruit is bubbly and crisp portion is golden.
Let cool in pan. For a crisper crust, serve cold straight from the fridge.
Recipe adapted from Smitten Kitchen