Rhubarb Cake

A spring time favorite.. rhubarb cake or might call it rhubarb bars.

This is the second time around for this recipe on my blog. I decided to add it again because it really is one of our all time favorite rhubarb recipes.

This recipe has been around for as long as I can remember. When I was a kid my mom would pick rhubarb as soon as it was ready in the springtime and make these bars. They were my dad’s favorite and I would say that they were one of my favorites too.

You will see that the name of the recipe is rhubarb cake… but my family has called in rhubarb bars forever. I am not sure where my mom got this recipe from to tell the truth, as I mentioned it has been around for as long as I can remember. So who knows who chose the name. But as far as I am concerned it doesn’t matter if you call this a cake or if you call it bars, it is just plain yummy.

I love the sourness that the rhubarb brings to these bars and the sweetness of the meringue. Oh and I would highly recommend that you add the nuts to the crust, I have made these without nuts and with nuts. The nuts definitely add flavor to the whole outcome.  Unless if you are not a nut lover or allergic then forget the nuts.

Rhubarb Cake

Rhubarb cake is a cake made with a crumbly crust, fresh rhubarb, and a delicate meringue topping. You will love the sour-sweet combination that the rhubarb and the meringue give to these bars.

5 from 2 votes

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Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Rhubarb cake, rhubarb bars

Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour hour

Servings: 24 slices

Calories: 167kcal

Author: Dawn Yucuis

Ingredients

Crust

• 1 3/4 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 tablespoon sugar
• 2 egg yolks
• 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons shortening
• 1/2 cup finely chopped nuts I used pecans, but walnuts are great

Filling

• 3 to 4 cups cut rhubarb
• 2 egg yolks well beaten
• 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 cups sugar
• 5 tablespoons flour
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Topping

• 4 egg whites
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions

• Take the dry ingredients and add them to a medium bowl, mix until blended. Cut in the shortening, then mix in the egg yolks. Pat the crust into a greased 9 by 13-inch pan bake for 10 minutes in an oven that has been preheated to 350 degrees F.
• While the crust is baking prepare the filling. Add the rhubarb that has been cut into pieces into a large bowl. Beat the eggs with a fork and add to the rhubarb Add the sugar and flour and mix well, mix in the vanilla. Once the bars have been removed from the oven, pour the rhubarb mixture over the hot crust. Place it back into the oven and bake for an additional 30 to 35 minutes until the rhubarb is tender and the mixture is set.
• While the filling is baking take the egg whites and 3/4 cup of sugar and beat with an electric mixer. Once the egg whites form a soft peak add the vanilla and continue to beat until stiff peaks form.
• Remove the bars from the oven after they have been baked for the 30 to 45 minutes top with the meringue. Place the bars back into the oven and bake an additional 10 to 15 minutes or until the meringue is a golden brown.

Notes

1. It is best to peel the rhubarb since the outer layer of the rhubarb can be stringy.
2. The bars are best when eaten fresh, but they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.
3. I do not recommend freezing these bars.
4. Use room temperature egg whites for the meringue.

 

 

 

 

Nutrition information is an estimate and may vary with brands of ingredients used.

Nutrition

Calories: 167kcal | Carbohydrates: 27.9g | Protein: 2.2g | Fat: 5.6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 12mg | Potassium: 104mg | Fiber: 0.7g | Sugar: 19.1g | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 1mg