Rhubarb Season Treat
It’s officially Rhubarb season! Now if you’re like me, by this point in the season you’re overrun by rhubarb plants, and wondering how on earth you’re going to use any of it.
Well, here’s a delicious dessert (or any time snack) that you can make to use some of it up.
I like to gift my friends and family homemade things. I feel as though it inspires a better connection. This dessert is the most recent thing that I have given them and I hope it warmed their hearts a little to know that it was made with love.
This is a recipe for Rhubarb Squares
Ingredients
Base:
2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup cold butter
Filling:
2 cups sugar
7 tbsp all purpose flour
1 cup heavy whipping cream
3 large eggs; beaten (we use farm fresh eggs available at the shop)
5 cups finely chopped fresh or frozen rhubarb; thawed and drained
Topping:
3/4 cup cream cheese; softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 vanilla extract
1 cup heavy whipping cream; whipped
Directions
In a bowl, combine the flour and sugar; cut in butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press into a greased 13x9” baking pan. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes.
While that is baking, make the filling. Combine sugar and flour in a bowl. Whisk in whipping cream and eggs. Stir in the rhubarb.
Pour over the crust. Bake again at 350° until the custard is set; 40-45 minutes. Let cool
For the topping, beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until smooth; fold in the whipped cream. Spread over top.
Cover and refrigerate until firm enough to cut; usually about 1 hour. Cut into squares; and store in the fridge.
Cutting & Gifting
I like to cut the squares into even squares. To do that I cut each row individually, and once I have my row cut, I will then cut squares. I try to make the width of each cut equally as wide.
If you want to be super precise, you can use a ruler to make each cut an exact measurement. But don’t stress too much about perfection, a homemade treat won't be judged on perfect cuts, (plus the taste will distract from any off-centred lines)!
When I am planning on giving these away to friends, I like to add a little flair to make them extra beautiful.
To do this, I start by place an edible viola and a mint leaf on top of each individual square. I like to think that it adds something special to the experience.
The last step to the perfect gifting process is to put them in a food-safe package, I get mine from Ma’s Pantry; which is right across the road from our farm shop!
I really, really encourage you to try this recipe, they are delicious; but they taste better when shared with loved ones.
