I’d like to introduce you to my absolute, without-a-doubt, not-an-ounce-of-questioning, favorite sweet treat there ever was forever and ever and ever. Take special care of this one, you guys, it’s an absolute gem.
But it wouldn’t be right if I didn’t fill you in on the treasure behind the recipe. My Sittie Jean, my grandmother. See there I go…I knew this was going to happen. All I have to do is type her name and the flood gates of grateful tears open.
My Sittie Jean. Where do I begin? She is, was and will always be the brightest light I have been blessed enough to know and love. She lit up any room with her positivity. She was humble. The most kind. Gentle. Loving. Strong. A leader. A caretaker. A listener. And one unbelievable, incredibly huge part of my childhood.
And man could that woman cook. One step in her home, stranger or family, and you were given the royal treatment. What can I get you? Here, I just happen to have a fresh peach pie sitting in the fridge, let me get you a piece. I’m telling you…this woman.
I feel fairly certain that one of her greatest joys was using the gift of her hands in that kitchen to create memories for my entire family. And she did an incredible job of it. She’d spend hours in her kitchen, all day it seemed. I saw her kitchen as her happy place. And I’m grateful she passed that love on.
As for many of you, there are certain recipes that are near and dear to my childhood. And these Rhubarb Bars are one of those. The mere sight of rhubarb gets me every time. Every single year around the end of school/beginning of summer the “carnival” came to town. Man was this a big deal. And to start off that carnival was always a parade. We would ride our bikes to my Sittie and Jiddie’s house, they had the best seat in the city for watching. And every year she made these rhubarb bars with the rhubarb she grew in her own garden.
Now, I know much of my love for this recipe is nostalgia…but throw every ounce of that out the window and I can guarantee you these will be the best way you have ever…and I mean ever..put rhubarb to use. The crust/topping is incredible…my husband is convinced I sneak caramel in there. And the filling? Lord, help me. Perfectly tart. A bit sweet. And just the right amount.
So right around this time of year, when rhubarb is in full effect, these bars are a huge priority for me. My husband is obsessed. My kiddos cry for more, literally. And they are pure comfort for me. I am telling you…they are amazing. And they could not be more simple to do; my kind of baking.
I hope you enjoy these, friends. Feeling proud and blessed to share a bit of my heart with you today. And Sittie Jean, I am so positive you are reading this…thank you for the sheer joy you brought so many…you are in my heart always. xo
Sittie Jean’s Rhubarb Bars
Ingredients
1 Cup All-Purpose Flour
¾ Cup Oats
1 Cup Brown Sugar, packed
½ Cup Unsalted Butter, melted
1 Cup Sugar
2 Teaspoons Cornstarch
1 Cup Water
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
4 Cups Rhubarb, cut into ½ inch pieces
Directions
Mix flour, oatmeal, brown sugar and butter until crumbly. Press ½ into greased 9″ pan. Combine rhubarb, sugar, cornstarch, and water. Bring to a boil. Simmer for 5 minutes. Add vanilla. Pour sauce over crust. Top with other half crumb mixture. Bake at 350° for 45 minutes. Cool completely and cut into bars.
nourishedpeach.com 
You describe your grandmother so beautifully. And the rhubarb treats look delicious! Thank you for sharing. 🙂
Thank you for such a kind note!
Reblogged this on Recipe Dreams.
Oh, how I love rhubarb. Never had these. They look amazing, and simple ingredients…love that.☺ I understand those sentimental family memories. 💕
I’m with you…rhubarb+simple ingredients+family memories=a very favorite of mine:)
MmmMMmm – I’m going to share this with my sister for our next baking session! Thanks!
You’ll be glad you did my dear:)
What a post.. I mean I have no words toots.. I share every word to heart.. And the bars.. Pure scrumptious at its finest!! Love you tons sweetface!!! 💞💞
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And I love YOU! 😘
Wow this seems unreal that those are the only ingredients! And easy to make, too. What a lovely post about your grandma Sittie Jean. xo
Isn’t it amazing how tiny the ingredient list is? They really are so yummy and close to my heart..thank you for the note!
It sounds delicious – tangy and sweet. What is the final texture of the bar? Is it soft and sticky or dry and hard?
Thank you! The bottom layer is a firm, delicate crust..the middle is sticky and gooey and the top is reminiscent of a crumble….put them all together and I am in love:)
Reblogged this on GRANDMASAYS and commented:
Wonderful story & recipe sounds great!
Thank you so much for sharing a recipe that is so dear to me:)
Can’t wait to try! It’s beautiful that Sittie Jean not only lives on in your heart, but also each time someone makes these bars 🙂
So true…love your note..thank you!
Sounds so good 😊
Thanks!
Sounds fantastic – I have rhubarb growing at the moment and am looking for what to do with it next! Thanks for sharing!
I hope you enjoy them Nancy!
What a beautiful beautiful post! It made me want to tear up. I have a Grandma Jean who loves rhubarb as well. I will have to make these for her since she’s not very healthy. 😊❤
How sweet…I hope your Grandma Jean enjoys them. Very special for you to make these for her:)
I saw this earlier today and I had to try it out. They are delicious!
Oh I am so glad! Happy to share such a special recipe:)
I love rhubarb. They tell me that it will not grow here in the desert. But mine has survived the 1st season. I hope that it will survive many more. Thank you for the recipe. We will be trying it on our farm.
Well you must have the magic touch…that’s awesome! Hope you enjoy the bars:)
Thanks for sharing this special recipe- it was absolutely amazing! I was looking for something a little different from the usual crumble or crisp and saved this from your site over a year ago, planning on making it when I had some rhubarb. Well worth the wait – will be making it again and again!
I’m so glad you enjoyed them! Such a sweet note..thank you!