Creamy Rhubarb Cream Cheese Bars
Creamy Rhubarb Cream Cheese Bars are a tangy-sweet spring dessert with a soft crust, luscious cream cheese layer, and bursts of fresh rhubarb. Perfect for gatherings or a cozy treat at home!
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup milk
For the Filling:
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1½ cups fresh rhubarb chopped into ½-inch pieces
- ¼ cup chopped pecans optional; or use walnuts or almonds
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line an 8x8-inch pan with parchment.
- Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in butter.
- Add egg and milk, mix until dough forms. Press two-thirds into pan.
- Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla. Spread over crust.
- Top with rhubarb and nuts. Crumble remaining dough over the top.
- Bake 35–40 minutes until golden and set.
- Cool in pan, then chill at least 2 hours. Cut into bars and serve.
Notes
- Chill before slicing for best texture.
- Substitute other fruits like strawberries or raspberries.
- Nut-free version is easy—just omit the nuts.
- Great for freezing up to 2 months.