STREUSEL RHUBARB SQUARES

With this cool weather, and an abundance of rhubarb, it is the perfect time to bake.  Continuing with the "rhubarb" theme, I decided to make a recipe from another cookbook on rhubarb, The Joy of Rhubarb by Theresa Millang.   Ms. Millang is originally from Louisiana but moved to Minnesota via marriage.  She has written a number of cookbooks, including The Great Minnesota Hotdish.  Thus, this cookbook, like the one by Kim Ode I referred to in my last post, also has Minnesota roots.

I have made a number of recipes from this cookbook but my favorite is this recipe for Streusel Rhubarb Squares.

STREUSEL RHUBARB SQUARES.
Crust:
*  1 cup all-purpose flour
*  1/3 cup powdered sugar
*  1/3 cup butter, no substitution
Filling:
*  1-1/4 cups granulated sugar
*  1/4 cup all-purpose flour
*  1/2 teaspoon salt
*  1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
*  1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
*  2 eggs, slightly beaten
*  3 cups rhubarb, cut into 1/2-inch pieces  (Fresh or frozen rhubarb may be used, but do not thaw if using frozen.)
Topping:
*  3/4 cup all-purpose flour
*  1/2 cup granulated sugar
*  1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
*  1/3 cup butter, no substitution
Preheat oven to 350º.  For the crust, mix flour and sugar in a bowl; cut in butter.  Press into an ungreased 8-9" square baking pan.  Bake 15 minutes; cool.
For the filling, mix sugar, flour, salt, cinnamon, vanilla, eggs and rhubarb in a bowl.  Pour over cooled crust.
For the topping, mix flour, sugar and cinnamon in another bowl; cut in butter until crumbly.  Sprinkle over filling.  Bake 50 - 55 minutes.   

The bottom crust has been made and I begin making the topping.

Stir together all topping ingredients.

Then pour over the baked, cooled crust.

Tip:  I keep a measuring cup for 1 cup in my flour jar, and a measuring cup for 1/2 cap in my sugar jar.  It saves dishes and is so convenient!

I use this tool to "cut" butter into my other ingredients.

The topping was sprinkled over the rhubarb mixture.

Out of the oven and tasted a.s.a.p.!