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Easy Rhubarb Dessert Recipe With Jello

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.

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.

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!
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

Tip: Our friend Noreen added that 7 to 8 cups of rhubarb is about 2 pounds. So, we need about 1 pound for this recipe. Thank you, Noreen!

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

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.

If you like this recipe, we would appreciate your comment and a 5-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review!

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

Easy Rhubarb Dessert Recipe with Jello

Author: Julie Menghini
Cherry Rhubarb Dessert is an easy family favorite. It sits on a delicious crust and is topped with a buttery crumble.
4.49 from 56 votes
Prep Time 20 days
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 2 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword: Rhubarb Dessert, Rhubarb Dessert with Jello
Servings: 8

Ingredients
 
 

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 (1 lb) sliced or chopped
  • 3 oz Jello small box cherry or strawberry

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 layer.
  • Bake for 45-50 minutes and allow the pan to cool on a cooling rack. Serve warm or chilled.

Video

Notes

You can exchange strawberry jello for the cherry.

Nutrition

Calories: 375kcalCarbohydrates: 57gProtein: 5gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 59mgSodium: 188mgPotassium: 228mgFiber: 1gSugar: 36gVitamin A: 520IUVitamin C: 3.6mgCalcium: 77mgIron: 1.3mg

Nutritional Disclaimer

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?Let me know how it was!

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

4.49 from 56 votes (31 ratings without comment)
Recipe Rating




Sue Johnson

Friday 21st of June 2024

Definitely an easy recipe for sure. I never change a thing when I do a recipe for the first time. This is really good. I served with a little vanilla ice cream to cut the sweetness. It is a rhubarb recipe afterall. It will definitely be made again.

Julie Menghini

Saturday 22nd of June 2024

Thank you so much, Sue. We really enjoy this recipe too. It's perfect for these warm days.

Marion Wood

Thursday 22nd of June 2023

Everyone in our house loves this recipe, it’s gone within a day I only use the jello, no sugar. We like it tart

Julie Menghini

Thursday 22nd of June 2023

Thanks, Marion! We love this one too. It's so easy!

Louella Jacobs

Monday 5th of June 2023

I omitted the egg in the crust and pre baked the crust 8 minutes. The rest of the recipe I made as directed for 40 minutes. It was fabulous! My family loved it. I will make it again. Thanks❤️

Julie Menghini

Tuesday 6th of June 2023

Great to know, Louella! I love it when I receive comments like this so readers know they can leave out the egg.

Josephine

Saturday 3rd of June 2023

I haven't tried this yet but it sounds yummy. We do a lot of desserts with rhubarb for our clients for Meals. We have a lot of frozen rhubarb. Can we use frozen for this? Has anyone tried it with frozen? Can it be made in a sheet pan and would it have to be a double or triple recipe. I know everyone would love this.

Julie Menghini

Sunday 4th of June 2023

Hi Josephine, great questions! I haven't used frozen rhubarb. If you do, thaw it on a paper towel to remove excess liquid. You can double this and put it in a 9x13 pan. I don't think a sheet pan would be deep enough so if you triple it use something like a large sheet cake pan. Let me know what you did and how it turned out! Thank you.

Kim

Monday 29th of May 2023

The rhubarb filling was tasty but the crust was so flat and leathery couldn’t even eat it. Too bad because I have a lot of rhubarb to use up. Disappointed

Julie Menghini

Tuesday 30th of May 2023

Perhaps you overworked the butter into the pastry or forgot the salt? I use this crust all the time and it's amazing!

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