I had this need, this craving for a properly good biscuit. Nothing disastrous, or even slightly unusual, had occurred but sometimes you don’t need an excuse. I had a fridge load of rhubarb that needed a good home. Rhubarb is always very happy under a crumble topping but a crumble wasn’t going to help my desire for a biscuit. I devised a cunning ensemble where biscuit and crumble would meet.
You will need:
400g plain flour
100g sugar and a little extra
300g butter, at room temperature
2 tbsp chopped, toasted hazelnuts
6 small sticks of rhubarb
Chop the rhubarb into chunks and put in a pan with a sprinkling of sugar over a low heat with the lid on. Leave it to soften while you make the shortbread. Cream the butter and sugar together, this always takes longer than I think it will, then stir in the flour and hazelnuts. Mix together until it forms a dough.
Grease and line a baking dish; mine was about 30cm by 20cm. Take two thirds of the shortbread and press into the baking dish. Prick the top all over with a fork and put in the oven at 170C for 20 minutes. Check on the rhubarb, it should be soft by now. Remove the lid and let the rhubarb cook until most of the moisture has evaporated and it’s a thick pink jam. If you remember the Teletubbies, it looked a little like Tubby Custard.
Take the shortbread out of the oven and pour the rhubarb over. Crumble the remaining shortbread mixture over the top. Return to the oven for 15-20 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the rhubarb has bubbled slightly up over the top. Mark into portions while still hot.
When it had been out of the oven for about ten minutes I couldn’t wait any longer and put the kettle on to make a big cup of tea. I eased a piece of the shortbread out. Oh my. I don’t like to toot my own trumpet but this was magnificent. The bottom of the shortbread had the rich, buttery crunch you expect from it with a very slightly gooey layer where shortbread meets rhubarb. It was sort of a shortbread sandwich; crunch on either side with jammy fruit in between.
At that moment in time (and for many moments afterwards as I made 16 squares) there was nothing else in the world except me and the shortbread. Time for pure indulgence and bliss with sweet, crisp biscuit and sharp, sticky rhubarb. Wonderful.
Ohhhhhh that looks fab, I’m off for a week from the 21st. That recipe is on the list along with the chicken & chorizo tarts.
You’re right…this looks magnificent! I will make myself a batch of these delicious bars next spring when my rhubarb crop is at it’s peak 🙂
This sweet thing sure to turn ANY frown upside….
this is wonderful simple recipe, one those you want to keep.
I am looking at my rhubarb in the garden and I know it is time to use it up now or it will just go rotten in the pouring rain.
Thank you for this great recipe.
Oh, I wish I’d had a) some rhubarb and b) time for baking today, as this sounds delicious. Next weekend!
i wish i had access to some rhubarb right now, these look absolutely delicious!
Looks so good! Wonder if I can still find rhubarb here in Toronto?
There are times when only cake will do, or rhubarb bars! They look fantastic and with homemade jam.. wonderful
I love crumbles… I usually make mine with apple:)
This crumble looks absolutely delicious! What a great combination….
Oh dear, what a great dessert!
Oh yummy! Rhubarb has such a great flavor for crumbles and crisps it is one of the best ingredients!
Hi Caroline, this looks delicious! I don’t get much rhuburd here, so I guess another fruit/vegetable would work?
Fantastic! Another great rhubarb recipe. Looks so delicious & very tempting with those lovely red color! Simply amazing! 🙂
These are so pretty, with that strong red fruit peeking through the shortbread crust.
Ooh I so want to try this!!Looks absolutely delicious!Love the rhubarb in there :)YUMM….
Magnificent and gorgeous. I need to get to the city to check out whether rhubard is available. I have been seeing your recipes with rhubard and now its very tempting that I need to try out.
Just reading about this made my day better. Now I know what to do with some lonely rhubarb!
Beautiful recipe I cannot wait to give this a try!
I love rhubarb crumble and the hazelnut and shortbread topping just makes it better.
OMG…this looks insanely phenomenal!!!
All I need is a large slice of your crumble!! Double cream for me. I agree a cake can brighten up a bad day. I like the look of your crumble even if I am not very keen on rhubarb!!!
I love rhubarb and having it in a slice like this is delicious. What a great recipe and I love the crumble topping. I’ll have two pieces please! xx
I could eat this crumble morning, noon, and night! Looks great =)
Comfort food at its best.. just gorgeous. A
How funny Caroline. Love all the ingredients and good for you for tooting your own horn. It looks tremendous 🙂
A recipe made to warm one up and make theior tastebuds tingle, this looks wonderful:D
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
My fiance loves rhubarb! This looks like the perfect recipe to make for him sometime. I love your blog, glad I came across it! Will definitely be following 🙂
Would love for you to stop by my blog sometime. New blog friends are the best!
https://sugarlyeverafter.blogspot.com/
This sounds amazing! I love that shortbread crumble!
Oooh, those bars look so good. A little tart from the rhubarb, some sweet from the crumble–a perfect combo!
Been wanting to try rhubarb in baked goods- thanks for sharing this recipe!
🙂
I LOVE rhubarb baked this way, as a tray bake rather than a pudding and this recipe looks lovely!
Oh blimey, this looks fabulous!