Rhubarb Custard Bars with Shortbread (Printable)

Tangy rhubarb and silky custard atop a buttery shortbread crust; bright, golden bars ideal for spring.

# What You Need:

→ For the Shortbread Crust

01 - 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
02 - 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
03 - 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
04 - 1/4 tsp salt

→ For the Rhubarb Layer

05 - 3 cups (350 g) fresh rhubarb, chopped
06 - 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar

→ For the Custard Filling

07 - 3 large eggs
08 - 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
09 - 1/2 cup (60 g) all-purpose flour
10 - 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) heavy cream
11 - 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
12 - Pinch of salt

→ For Garnish (optional)

13 - Powdered sugar for dusting

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch (23x33 cm) baking pan and line with parchment paper.
02 - In a bowl, cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add flour and salt; mix until a soft dough forms.
03 - Press dough evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until lightly golden at the edges.
04 - While crust bakes, toss chopped rhubarb with sugar and set aside.
05 - In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs and sugar until well combined. Add flour, cream, vanilla extract, and salt; whisk until smooth.
06 - Remove the crust from oven. Evenly spread the sugared rhubarb over the hot crust. Pour custard filling over the rhubarb.
07 - Return pan to the oven and bake for 35–40 minutes, or until custard is set and lightly golden.
08 - Cool completely in the pan. Dust with powdered sugar if desired. Cut into bars and serve.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The shortbread is as soft and crumbly as bakery fare, but takes almost no effort at all.
  • Youll get the satisfying tartness of rhubarb mellowed by a custard so smooth, it wins over even rhubarb skeptics.
02 -
  • Trying to slice them before they’re cool is a guaranteed recipe for a gooey mess—patience truly pays off.
  • The first time I rushed pouring the custard, it sloshed everywhere; now I always pour slowly and tilt the pan for perfect distribution.
03 -
  • Lining the pan with parchment paper makes lifting the bars out simple and keeps edges pretty.
  • Sifting the flour for the custard ensures it blends without clumps for a custard that’s reliably silky.
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