Name: Strawberry-Rhubarb Bars
Total time: 165 min
Ingredients: 1 cup chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, almonds or hazelnuts) or old-fashioned rolled oats, divided; 0.75 cup whole-wheat pastry flour (see Note); 0.75 cup all-purpose flour; 0.5 cup sugar; 0.5 teaspoon salt; 4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces; 1 large egg; 2 tablespoons canola oil; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 0.25 teaspoon almond extract; 3 cups diced strawberries (fresh or frozen), divided; 3 cups diced fresh rhubarb, divided; 0.25 cup orange juice; 0.5 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar; 0.25 cup cornstarch; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Strawberry-Rhubarb Bars

3.8

(5)

5 Reviews

These healthy strawberry-rhubarb bars are perfect for spring. Strawberries add sweetness to balance the tart flavor of the rhubarb, while a nutty topping adds delicious crunch.

EatingWell Test Kitchen

Updated on December 6, 2021

Active Time:

40 mins

Additional Time:

2 hrs 5 mins

Total Time:

2 hrs 45 mins

Servings:

Yield:

18 bars

Nutrition Profile:

Diabetes Appropriate Heart Healthy Low Sodium Low-Calorie

Jump to Nutrition Facts

Ingredients

Crust

1 cup chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, almonds or hazelnuts) or old-fashioned rolled oats, divided
¾ cup whole-wheat pastry flour (see Note)
¾ cup all-purpose flour
½ cup sugar
½ teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1 large egg
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon almond extract

Fruit Filling

3 cups diced strawberries (fresh or frozen), divided
3 cups diced fresh rhubarb, divided
¼ cup orange juice
½ cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
¼ cup cornstarch
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

To prepare crust: Combine 3/4 cup nuts (or oats), whole-wheat flour, all-purpose flour, sugar and salt in a food processor; pulse until the nuts are finely ground. Add butter; pulse until well incorporated.
Whisk egg, oil, 1 teaspoon vanilla and almond extract in a small bowl. With the motor running, add the mixture to the food processor. Process, then pulse, scraping down the sides, if necessary, until the mixture begins to clump, 30 to 45 seconds (it will look crumbly). Measure out 1/2 cup of the mixture and combine in a bowl with the remaining 1/4 cup chopped nuts (or oats). Set aside for the topping.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Generously coat a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
To prepare fruit filling & assemble bars: Combine 2 cups strawberries, 2 cups rhubarb, orange juice, sugar and cornstarch in a large saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture is very thick, 4 to 5 minutes. (It may take up to 10 minutes to get a thick result if you start with frozen fruit.) Stir in the remaining 1 cup strawberries and 1 cup rhubarb and 1 teaspoon vanilla.
Transfer the dough to the prepared baking dish. Spread evenly and press firmly into the bottom to form a crust. Spread the fruit filling over the crust. Sprinkle the reserved topping over the filling.
Bake the bars for 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees and bake until the crust and topping are lightly brown, 25 to 30 minutes more. Let cool completely before cutting into bars, at least 1 1/2 hours.

Tips

Make Ahead Tip: Cover and refrigerate the crust and topping (Steps 1-2) for up to 1 day. Cover or individually wrap and refrigerate the cooled bars for up to 5 days.

Note: Lower in protein than regular whole-wheat flour, whole-wheat pastry flour is milled from soft wheat and has less gluten-forming potential, making it a better choice for tender baked goods. You can find it in the natural-foods section of large supermarkets and natural-foods stores. Store in the freezer.

Easy cleanup: Dessert pans can be a headache to clean. Skip the soaking and scrubbing by lining your pan with parchment paper before you bake.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

192	Calories
9g	Fat
26g	Carbs
3g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 18
Calories 192
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 26g	10%
Dietary Fiber 2g	7%
Total Sugars 15g
Added Sugars 13g	26%
Protein 3g	6%
Total Fat 9g	11%
Saturated Fat 2g	11%
Cholesterol 17mg	6%
Vitamin A 126IU	3%
Vitamin C 20mg	22%
Folate 32mcg	8%
Sodium 71mg	3%
Calcium 32mg	2%
Iron 1mg	4%
Magnesium 18mg	4%
Potassium 148mg	3%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.