Description
Make classic, buttery rhubarb custard bars with a shortbread base. This recipe yields a tender crust and a perfectly set, sweet-tart custard filling.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups chopped fresh rhubarb (about 1/2 inch pieces)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for rhubarb)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for custard)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (for custard)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease and line a 9×9 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
- Prepare the crust: In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup flour, 1/4 cup sugar, and salt. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Mix in the egg yolk until the dough just comes together. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake the crust for 15 minutes until lightly golden.
- While the crust bakes, prepare the rhubarb: In a small bowl, toss the chopped rhubarb with 1/2 cup sugar. Set aside.
- Prepare the custard filling: In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 eggs, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup flour, heavy cream, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Spread the sugared rhubarb evenly over the partially baked crust.
- Pour the custard mixture carefully over the rhubarb layer.
- Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the custard is set and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out mostly clean. The center should not jiggle excessively.
- Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before lifting out using the parchment overhang. Cut into squares.
Notes
- For the best flavor, use rhubarb stalks that are firm and brightly colored.
- Chill the bars for at least 2 hours before slicing for the cleanest cuts.
- If your rhubarb is very tart, you may add an extra tablespoon of sugar to the custard mixture.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 55 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 75
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Unsaturated Fat: 5
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 26
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 4
- Cholesterol: 65