Description
These Amish Oatmeal Rhubarb Bars combine a buttery oat crust with a tangy rhubarb filling, delivering a perfect balance of sweet and tart in a delightful fruit crumble bar. Easy to prepare and bake, these bars make a wonderful dessert or snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Rhubarb Filling
- 2 cups chopped fresh or frozen rhubarb
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease an 8×8-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of the bars.
- Make the Crust: In a medium bowl, combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt. Stir in the melted butter until the mixture becomes crumbly. Press two-thirds of this mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form an even crust layer.
- Cook the Rhubarb Filling: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the chopped rhubarb, granulated sugar, cornstarch, and water. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil while stirring constantly. Cook until the rhubarb softens and the filling thickens, about 5–7 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Assemble the Bars: Pour the cooked rhubarb filling evenly over the oat crust in the pan. Sprinkle the remaining one-third of the oat mixture evenly over the rhubarb layer to form the topping.
- Bake: Bake the assembled bars in the preheated oven for 30–35 minutes, or until the topping turns golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting into 12 bars. Serve chilled or at room temperature for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- If using frozen rhubarb, be sure to thaw and drain any excess liquid before cooking to prevent a watery filling.
- These bars taste great chilled or at room temperature.
- Store leftover bars in the refrigerator for up to 4 days to maintain freshness.
