Raspberry Rhu-Bars

Y’alllll. Spring has officially sprung!

And there’s rhuuubarb in the markets! I want to do a little giddy happy dance.

I get so excited when I start to see all the best spring-y produce popping up again each year. It means summer fruits are not far behind! Which means allll the pie and best bakes!

These little raspberry rhubars are another take on a lemon bar. You make up this luscious curd with the rhubarb and raspberries, and the Meyer lemon just rounds the flavor combo out perfectly.

The tender shortbread crust is the best vehicle for this tart and tasty filling. They are amazing!

Just look at that color! All natural my friends.

For the Raspberry Rhubarb Curd:

3 stalks rhubarb, washed and sliced into 1 inch slices
1 pint raspberries, washed
1/4 cup sugar
4 egg yolks
1/3 cup plus 2 tbsp sugar
1 Meyer lemon, zested (and the juice from half)
2 ounces butter, cubed

Crust:

8 ounces butter, cold & cubed
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 3/4 cups ap flour

Make the curd: Combine the rhubarb, raspberries, and 1/4 cup sugar in a small saucepan. Cook on medium heat, stirring occasionally to avoid scorching, until the fruit has softened completely and the juices are bubbling. Blend with an immersion blender until smooth.

Create a water bath using a large saucepan filled with a couple inches of water and a bowl or another pot that fits snugly inside it (you don’t want the water touching the bottom at all). Bring the water to a simmer. Combine the second amount of sugar, lemon zest/juice and yolks and whisk together over the heat until the sugar dissolves.

Add the cooked down fruit mixture and continue cooking/scraping the bottom with a spatula until the mixture becomes quite thick and coats the back of a spoon. Strain through a sieve.

Crust: Combine the dry ingredients in a food processor and blend until combined. Add the butter and pulse until it comes into a dough. Grease an 8×8 inch square pan, cut two pieces of parchment paper to the width of the pan. Place them in the pan so you have flaps to pull the bars out when done. Press the dough into the pan, and freeze for 10-15 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and bake until golden brown, about 30 minutes.

Final Bake: Pour the filling directly on to the shortbread crust, and bake at 350 degrees until set (about 15 minutes). Allow to cool on a wire rack, and then chill in the fridge or freezer until sliceable.

I love alllll lemon bars, and these babes are so much fun.

I like that it’s a twist on the classic pairing of rhubarb and strawbs! Raspberry and rhubarb are a perfect and unexpected pairing. A tart-flavor-lover’s dream if you will.

So much nom.