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Spring Baking Made Easy Rhubarb Bars And Cream Cheese Bars Recipe Guide

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These Rhubarb Cream Cheese Bars combine a crisp buttery crust, a creamy vanilla-infused cheesecake layer, and a sweet-tart rhubarb topping. They’re the ultimate spring treat—easy to make, crowd-pleasing, and perfect for brunches, parties, or simply enjoying with your afternoon coffee. With bright seasonal flavor and a make-ahead friendly format, these bars are a fresh twist on classic spring desserts.

Ingredients

Scale

For the crust:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
  • ¼ cup powdered sugar

For the filling:

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the rhubarb topping:

  • 2 cups fresh rhubarb, chopped
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • ¼ cup water

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8-inch baking dish or line with parchment paper.

In a medium bowl, combine flour and powdered sugar. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form the crust. Bake for 15 minutes or until lightly golden. Remove from oven and set aside.

In a separate bowl, beat the cream cheese and granulated sugar until smooth. Add the egg and vanilla extract and continue beating until well blended.

Pour the cream cheese mixture over the baked crust and spread evenly.

In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the rhubarb, granulated sugar, cornstarch, and water. Cook and stir until the rhubarb softens and the mixture thickens, about 5–7 minutes.

Spoon the rhubarb topping evenly over the cream cheese layer.

Bake for an additional 25–30 minutes or until the center is set.

Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before slicing into bars.

Store leftovers in the refrigerator.

Notes

  • Pan size: 8×8 works best; doubling the recipe requires a 9×13-inch pan.

  • Chilling time: Don’t skip it. Chill fully for clean slicing and firm texture.

  • Ingredient prep: Use softened cream cheese and cold butter for the best results in texture and flavor.

  • Fruit variations: Try adding chopped strawberries or raspberries for extra color and sweetness.

  • Freezing tip: Wrap tightly and freeze in slabs before slicing for longer storage.

Find it online: https://claradelish.com/spring-baking-made-easy-rhubarb-bars-and-cream-cheese-bars-recipe-guide/