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Home » Recipes » Easy Rhubarb Dessert Recipe With Jello

Easy Rhubarb Dessert Recipe With Jello

May 19, 2019 Updated: March 14, 2021 By Julie Menghini 52 Comments

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Collage showing a 3/4 view of a red rhubarb dessert slice on a grey plate

Rhubarb Desserts are a summer favorite. This Easy Rhubarb Dessert recipe with Cherry Jello is absolutely delicious and perfect for a smaller crowd.

Pan of Rhubarb Cherry Bar Dessert sitting on a barn wood backdrop beside stalks of fresh rhubarb nest to a pretty multi-color napkin.

Rhubarb Dessert Recipe can be served hot with a scoop of ice cream or cooled and cut into rhubarb bars. Regardless of what you do, it’s going to be delicious!

My sister and I grew up next to a neighbor that grew a lot of rhubarb. We used to pick it and dare each other to eat it raw.

I am puckering up just thinking about it.

It was very difficult to take a bite and act like it was no big deal. I don’t think either one of us pulled that one off. I can’t think of anything that rivals the tartness of rhubarb.

I’ve heard a lot of people say they don’t like rhubarb. That’s just crazy talk in my opinion. If they’d just try this Cherry Rhubarb dessert, they’d change their mind.

When you sweeten and cook rhubarb such as in this easy rhubarb dessert recipe, it changes the flavor to a smooth sweet treat.

Another thing I love about this Cherry Rhubarb dessert is that it bakes in an 8×8 sized pan which is perfect for small get-togethers.

If you aren’t a cherry fan, strawberry jello is delicious too. The color it gives the fruit is amazing. Don’t you think?

Close up of a bright red Rhubarb dessert bar sitting on a metal plate in front of a multi-color napkin.

I totally understand how busy you are so if you don’t have time for our helpful tips and delicious recipe ideas, just scroll to the bottom of the page where you can find the printable recipe card and VIDEO!

What is rhubarb anyway?

I wasn’t sure and actually discovered it depends on where you live!

According to the Huff Post, “rhubarb is technically a vegetable but is legally considered a fruit.

In 1947 a New York court declared rhubarb a fruit because it’s most often cooked as one in the United States (and, it’s said because it was a way to save businesses who imported these stalks from spending additional money on taxes).”

Rhubarb is Poisonous! – Kind of…

That’s what my son told me. He’s an engineer and brilliant in my opinion but he doesn’t know his rhubarb facts. Here are a few rhubarb facts:

  • The leaves of the rhubarb plant are poisonous. However, the stalks are not and can be eaten raw.
  • Color has no effect on the flavor of rhubarb. It can be light green, pink, or red.
  • Rhubarb freezes well. You can freeze it in stalks or chopped up. There isn’t any need to cook or blanche it beforehand.

Rhubarb is HEALTHY! – TRUE

According to the Natural Food Series, “Rhubarb health benefits include treating Alzheimer’s, fighting cancerous cells, promoting circulation, supporting weight loss, strengthening bones, promoting digestion, combating cardiovascular diseases, regulating blood sugar levels, maintaining kidney health, preventing early aging, and a good source of antioxidants.”

I’ve got to start eating more rhubarb! I wonder if I can call this Rhubarb Cherry Dessert recipe a healthy food! Probably not.

If you like reading our posts and seeing our recipes, let’s connect on Pinterest, Facebook & Instagram!

Pan with a missing piece shows the thick red rhubarb filling, pie crust bottom, and crumbled topping.

Rhubarb Bar Recipe Ingredients

  • All-purpose flour
  • Sugar
  • Butter
  • Rhubarb
  • Baking powder
  • Egg
  • Milk
  • Jello
  • *Salt

You may need:

  • 8×8 pan – I baked my dessert in an antique pan and buttered the heck out of it. I have this non-stick version which would have worked great!
  • Whisks – I love my whisks and have them in several sizes, shapes, and colors. I have a gadget obsession I guess and love these!

You may want to stock up on rhubarb for these delicious recipes!

  • Strawberry Rhubarb Bread with Streusel Topping
  • Grandma’s Rhubarb Pie
  • Strawberry Rhubarb Coconut Popsicles
  • 4 Ingredient Rhubarb Sauce Recipe
  • Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

We LOVE Dessert! You can find all of our dessert recipes here!

Pan of rhubarb dessert recipe with two pieces of raw rhubarb and a multi-colored napkin sit in the background over a wooden backdrop. The title \"Easy Rhubarb Dessert with Jello\" appears at the bottom of the photo.

NOTE: I wouldn’t use frozen rhubarb for this Easy Rhubarb Dessert. It tends to absorb a lot of liquid and you don’t want it to bake up with too much liquid.

If you do try using frozen rhubarb, thaw completely and let excess liquid drain.

Our most popular recipes

  • Sourdough Bread Recipe
  • Pear Pie Filling
  • Fruit Cocktail Salad
  • Swedish Apple Pie
  • Cherry Quick Bread

I would love it if you enjoy this recipe that you will leave me a comment and rate the recipe with 5 stars!  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

cake pan filled with bright red rhubarb dessert with a crumbled streusel topping surrounded by a multi-colored napkin and fresh rhubarb.
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4.74 from 19 votes

Easy Rhubarb Dessert Recipe with Jello

Cherry Rhubarb Dessert is an easy family favorite. It sits on a delicious crust and is topped with a buttery crumble.
Prep Time 20 d
Cook Time 50 mins
Total Time 1 hr 2 mins
Servings 8
Author Julie Menghini
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

US Customary – Metric

Crust

  • 1 tbsp sugar heaping
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1/8 tsp Salt Add only if you use unsalted butter – just a pinch
  • 1 egg (large)
  • 1 tbsp milk you may need 1 more

Filling

  • 3 cups rhubarb sliced or chopped
  • 1 box Jello small box

Topping

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

Store leftovers in the refrigerator.

    Instructions

    Crust

    • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease an 8×8 pan with shortening or butter.
    • Mix the crust ingredients together and press into the bottom of the pan.
    • Pour rhubarb over the crust and then sprinkle the jello over the rhubarb.
    • In a separate bowl mix the topping ingredients together and then crumble it over the rhubarb later.
    • Bake for 45-50 minutes

    Video

    Notes

    You can exchange strawberry jello for the cherry.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 375kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 59mg | Sodium: 188mg | Potassium: 228mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 36g | Vitamin A: 520IU | Vitamin C: 3.6mg | Calcium: 77mg | Iron: 1.3mg
    This recipe was calculated using the exact brands and measurements I used to make this recipe. If you are following a strict diet please note changing anything will cause the nutritional info to change. My calculations are intended as a guide only.
    Tried this recipe? That’s awesome!Mention @hostessatheart or tag #hostessatheart!

    Do you have a favorite Rhubarb Dessert? Please share it in the comments below. You are my inspiration!

    I’ve tried growing my own rhubarb at least 3 times and they just turn up their toes and croak. Any tips my green thumb friends?

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    Comments

    1. Linda Fielder says

      July 3, 2020 at 3:12 pm

      I just noticed that the video shows adding salt but the recipe doesn’t call for it. It is in the base mixture. Curious.

      Reply
      • Julie Menghini says

        July 3, 2020 at 3:39 pm

        Just a pinch which is optional if you don’t use salted butter.

        Reply
    2. Linda Fink says

      May 29, 2020 at 12:22 pm

      I added some freeze dried raspberries and freeze dried strawberries and used strawberry jello…its delicious!!! Hubby loved it!!

      Reply
      • Julie Menghini says

        June 1, 2020 at 12:45 pm

        That sounds amazing, Linda!

        Reply
    3. Mary says

      May 26, 2020 at 1:06 pm

      Thanks for your reply, Julie.
      I tried sprinkling the sugar-free Jell-O over rhubarb and fresh sliced strawberries. Then topped the fruit with a crust of oatmeal, flour and Splenda brown sugar.
      So tasty right out of the oven with a scoop of sugar-free ice cream!
      I read that the aspartame in the Jell-O loses it sweetness when baked, but ice cream fixes everything!!

      Reply
      • Julie Menghini says

        May 26, 2020 at 2:43 pm

        That sounds great Mary! I’ll add that tip to the recipe!

        Reply
    4. Alison Mohr says

      May 26, 2020 at 9:14 am

      I doubled this to fit in a 9×13. If I would make again I would use a completely different crust – this one is very strange with the eggs (like a rubbery pastry) and I would definitely cut back on the butter on the top – it did not appear like the topping in the picture at all because the butter flooded it. I like to make rhubarb desserts daily during the season and this was not a keeper for our family.

      Reply
      • Julie Menghini says

        May 26, 2020 at 11:43 am

        I’m sorry it didn’t work for you, Alison. It’s been well-liked here with better outcomes. Changing it up and using ingredients or techniques other than what was pictured can change the outcome. I hope you’ll give us another try sometime soon or let me know how I can help.

        Reply
    5. Mary says

      May 25, 2020 at 4:58 pm

      Can I use sugar-free Jello in this recipe?

      Reply
      • Julie Menghini says

        May 26, 2020 at 8:55 am

        Yes, you can Mary.

        Reply
    6. Tracie says

      May 1, 2020 at 3:57 pm

      Can sugar free jello be used in place of regular?

      Reply
      • Julie Menghini says

        May 2, 2020 at 7:31 am

        Yes it can!

        Reply
    7. Kathleen Pope says

      March 1, 2020 at 7:24 pm

      Oh my goodness, this is SO delicious!! I had some frozen rhubarb from last year and cannot wait to get some more fresh rhubarb so I can make it again!

      Reply
      • Julie Menghini says

        March 3, 2020 at 3:01 pm

        Thank you, Kathleen! We love Rhubarb.

        Reply
    8. Bob says

      October 11, 2019 at 9:26 pm

      Fantastic and easy to create with common ingredients

      Reply
      • Julie Menghini says

        October 14, 2019 at 10:20 pm

        Thank you, Bob!

        Reply
    9. Connie says

      July 10, 2019 at 5:23 pm

      Julie, my mom made Blushing Apple Cake with strawberry jello. It was one of my favorite desserts as a kid and still is. I was looking for a way to use rhubarb instead and lo and behold your recipe came up! Thanks for sharing it! I cannot wait to try it!!!

      Reply
      • Julie Menghini says

        July 12, 2019 at 12:55 pm

        Awesome Connie! Let me know what you think!

        Reply
    10. Michaela Kenkel says

      June 5, 2019 at 10:40 pm

      I am making this next week and I cannot wait!!

      Reply
      • Julie Menghini says

        June 7, 2019 at 7:32 pm

        Thank you, Michaela!

        Reply
    11. Michele says

      June 4, 2019 at 1:32 am

      Just picked up some fresh rhubarb at the farmers market and came home and made this recipe! It was fantastic! The crust and crumble was just how we LOVE it!

      Reply
      • Julie Menghini says

        June 4, 2019 at 8:42 am

        Thank you, Michele!

        Reply
    12. Nikki says

      June 4, 2019 at 1:01 am

      Wow this is delicious! I’ll take a scoop of ice cream on mine!

      Reply
      • Julie Menghini says

        June 4, 2019 at 8:41 am

        Thank you, Nikki!

        Reply
    13. debi at Life Currents says

      June 1, 2019 at 12:26 pm

      This looks so delicious like a beautiful seasonal crumb cake. I need to learn more about rhubarb.

      Reply
      • Julie Menghini says

        June 3, 2019 at 10:16 am

        Thank you, Debi!

        Reply
    14. Ann from Sumptuous Spoonfuls says

      June 1, 2019 at 12:08 pm

      Oh man you are tempting me with this lovely dessert! I adore rhubarb.

      Reply
      • Julie Menghini says

        June 3, 2019 at 10:16 am

        Thank you, Ann!

        Reply
    15. Angela says

      May 30, 2019 at 5:42 pm

      What a wonderful dessert! I just saw rhubarb in my grocery store for the first time! I’ve got to go grab some and make this sweet treat!

      Reply
      • Julie Menghini says

        May 30, 2019 at 10:26 pm

        Thank you, Angela! I hope you love it like we do!

        Reply
    16. Claudia Lamascolo says

      May 30, 2019 at 10:11 am

      you have totally inspired me to try rhubarb. I not only never cooked it but I do not know what it taste like either.

      This look spectacular and I need to try this .. thanks for inspiring me to something new!

      Reply
      • Julie Menghini says

        May 30, 2019 at 10:24 pm

        Thank you, Claudia! I hope you enjoy it!

        Reply
    17. Heidy L. McCallum says

      May 29, 2019 at 1:01 pm

      I haven’t had rhubarb since my teens and was looking for something new and interesting to make, made this recipe yester and it was so good it was crazy! Saving to make again.

      Reply
      • Julie Menghini says

        May 30, 2019 at 9:16 am

        Thank you, Heidy! It’s a spring favorite in our house!

        Reply
    18. Jennifer says

      May 29, 2019 at 12:53 pm

      This dessert looks so good. I have never cooked with rhubarb but I am going to have to give this a go and try it out.

      Reply
      • Julie Menghini says

        May 30, 2019 at 9:15 am

        We loved this one, Jennifer! Thank you.

        Reply
    19. Lisa says

      May 29, 2019 at 12:32 pm

      I’ve never cooked with Rhubarb before but this looks both easy and absolutely delicious! I’ll see if I can make this with GF flour! 🙂

      Reply
      • Julie Menghini says

        May 30, 2019 at 9:14 am

        We love Rhubarb, Lisa! Let me know how it comes out using GF flour!

        Reply
    20. Jacque Hooper says

      May 29, 2019 at 12:06 pm

      I loved this so much that I think I am going to try different flavors of jello to mix it up! It was delicious!

      Reply
      • Julie Menghini says

        May 30, 2019 at 9:12 am

        Thank you, Jacque! The strawberry is amazing too!

        Reply
    21. Laura says

      May 29, 2019 at 12:00 pm

      One of the things I really like about summer season is the amount of desserts that it brings. And I really like cherry flavors in mine, so I can’t wait to try your recipe – it looks absolutely delicious!

      Reply
      • Julie Menghini says

        May 30, 2019 at 9:12 am

        Thank you, Laura! I totally agree!

        Reply
    22. Ivana says

      May 27, 2019 at 12:48 pm

      Bought a bunch of rhubarb at the market this weekend — gonna make this!

      Reply
      • Julie Menghini says

        May 28, 2019 at 9:51 pm

        Thank you, Ivana!

        Reply
    23. Noelle says

      May 27, 2019 at 12:25 pm

      Interesting making it with jello but it was delicious, highly recommend!

      Reply
      • Julie Menghini says

        May 28, 2019 at 9:50 pm

        Thank you, Noelle! Such an easy recipe!

        Reply
    24. Colleen says

      May 27, 2019 at 11:27 am

      I LOVE rhubarb, and now I have another way to use the huge patch in my garden. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Julie Menghini says

        May 28, 2019 at 9:50 pm

        You are so lucky to have your own rhubarb! I’ve tried starting it several times and no go. It makes me crazy when people have it and don’t use it!

        Reply
    25. Sara Welch says

      May 27, 2019 at 11:10 am

      I love how easy and delicious this was! Perfect with ice cream; my kids loved it!

      Reply
      • Julie Menghini says

        May 28, 2019 at 9:48 pm

        Thank you so much, Sara! It’s delicious with ice cream!

        Reply
    26. Dannii says

      May 27, 2019 at 11:06 am

      My Nan used to make the best rhubarb desserts. I have to try this one too!

      Reply
      • Julie Menghini says

        May 28, 2019 at 9:48 pm

        Thank you Dannii! Family recipes are the best!

        Reply

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