Rhubarb Cream Cheese Bars

Rhubarb Cream Cheese Bars are a tasty and easy spring or summer dessert! These rhubarb bars are always a hit and a great way to use homegrown rhubarb!

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This recipe was photographed and updated 6/2024.

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Shopping list:

• fresh rhubarb
• granulated sugar
• fresh lemon juice
• all purpose flour
• graham cracker crumbs
• baking powder
• butter
• light brown sugar
• eggs
• cinnamon
• vanilla
• cream cheese

It's that time of year again, rhubarb season! 

I have the most wonderful memories eating rhubarb as a kid. We grew up in the country, and there were always tons of rhubarb plants, which meant tons of rhubarb desserts! Not only did we eat rhubarb in desserts, but we also ate it raw, with some salt sprinkled on it. The thought of it still makes my mouth water.

I was browsing my pinned recipes on Pinterest and found this recipe, but using strawberries. I decided to use rhubarb instead and it worked out fantastic! I brought these to work with me, and they were quickly gobbled up by my Dad, brother and myself. We really liked them and it's a nice change from typical rhubarb cakes and pies.

Desserts using cream cheese are always so heavenly! Some of our favorite desserts with cream cheese are Lemon Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting, Matcha Cheesecake or Almond Cream Cheese Bars!

Keep scrolling for the full printable recipe 💙

You can add or substitute with these ingredients:

• use berries instead of rhubarb, or some of each
• use almond extract instead of vanilla
• use lime juice or orange juice instead of lemon
• use cookie crumbs instead of graham cracker crumbs

Recipe tips:

• You can use an 8x8 pan instead of an 8x11. Increase baking time by 5-10 minutes, or until center is set. This will result in a thicker bar.

• Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to three days.

• Frozen rhubarb can be used instead of fresh. Defrost and drain excess liquid before using.

Yield 12 bars

Author Hot Eats and Cool Reads

Prep time

5 Min

Cook time

50 Min

Total time

55 Min

Rhubarb Cream Cheese Bars

Ingredients

• 1 cup fresh rhubarb, chopped
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons all purpose flour, divided
• 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 stick butter, melted (1/2 cup)
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease an 8x11 baking dish.
2. In a small saucepan, combine rhubarb, granulated sugar and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat until rhubarb is softened, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
3. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine 3/4 cup flour, graham cracker crumbs, and baking powder.
4. In a larger bowl, add the melted butter and brown sugar, mix well. Add one egg, cinnamon and vanilla, mix well again. Add the flour mixture a little at a time and mix together until combined. Spread in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
5. In another bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese, two tablespoons flour, and one egg until combined and smooth.
6. Alternate spooning the rhubarb mixture and cream cheese mixture onto the bottom layer. Using a knife, swirl to marble.
7. Bake for 30-40 minutes until center is set. Cool and cut into bars.

Nutrition Facts

Calories

249.78

Fat

12.23 g

Sat. Fat

7.17 g

Carbs

32.76 g

Fiber

0.56 g

Net carbs

31.85 g

Sugar

22.97 g

Protein

3.09 g

Sodium

155.58 mg

Cholesterol

61.25 mg

Hot Eats and Cool Reads is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe you try from this blog/website. You may not always have the same results due to variations in ingredients, humidity, altitude, cooking temperatures, typos, errors, omissions, or individual cooking abilities. 

You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful. I am not a certified nutritionist and make no claims to the contrary. Each individual's dietary needs and restrictions are unique to the individual.

Our favorite kitchen equipment and supplies used with this recipe:

• Pyrex 2-Quart Oblong Baking Dish
• Pyrex Smart Essentials 3-Piece Prepware Mixing Bowl Set
• OXO Good Grips 6-Piece Plastic Measuring Spoons
• OXO Good Grips 6-Piece Plastic Measuring Cups

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