Easy Rhubarb Dessert Recipe With Jello
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This Rhubarb Dessert Recipe with Jello is a dessert that’s tangy, sweet, and oh-so-simple! This simple rhubarb treat mixes the tangy taste of fresh rhubarb with the sweet flavor of Jello. It makes a quick dessert that is full of flavor. Perfect for spring gatherings or whenever you need a quick crowd-pleaser. A spoonful of this, and you’re hooked!
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! And, it’s perfect for a smaller crowd.
I’ve heard a lot of people say they don’t like rhubarb. This Cherry Rhubarb dessert might change their minds.
When you sweeten and cook rhubarb such as in this easy rhubarb dessert recipe, it changes the flavor to a smooth sweet treat.
One more thing I love about this Cherry Rhubarb dessert is that it bakes in an 8×8 pan. This size is perfect for small gatherings.
What is rhubarb anyway?
I wasn’t sure, but I 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 called rhubarb a fruit. This was because it is usually cooked like a fruit in the United States. It is also said that this decision helped businesses that imported rhubarb avoid extra 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. One of our readers uses the leaves in her garden to keep the weeds down…brilliant!
- 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 has many health benefits. It can help treat Alzheimer’s and fight cancer cells. It also promotes circulation and supports weight loss. Rhubarb strengthens bones and helps with digestion. It can combat heart diseases and regulate blood sugar levels. Additionally, it maintains kidney health and prevents early aging. Rhubarb is 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.
Rhubarb Bar Recipe Ingredients
Please note, that the printable recipe card has the full list of ingredients, quantities, complete instructions, and nutritional information. The following is a quick overview of the recipe.
All-purpose flour– You can use bleached or unbleached flour. One doesn’t act or taste any differently from the other. Unbleached flour is less processed since it doesn’t go through the bleaching step.
Salted Butter – We use real butter but you can substitute it with a butter substitute. That may affect the flavor, however. You want the butter to be at room temperature meaning that when pressed with your finger it leaves a dent, not melted or runny. Using room-temperature butter creams much better than cold butter. If you use unsalted butter, add 1/8 teaspoon or a pinch to the topping.
We use fresh Rhubarb. If you use frozen rhubarb, thaw it and pat it dry. You don’t want to add extra liquid to this recipe
Baking powder gives our crust the right texture. We recommend that it be replaced every 6 months or tested for potency. We show you how in our Basic Baking Techniques document.
Using fresh grade A large eggs in this recipe creates structure and helps thicken the filling.
We use such a small amount of Milk, that the variety will not impact the results. You can use any variety including milk substitutes.
We recommend cherry or strawberry Jello. The flavors go well with the tart rhubarb. Note that we only use the Jello powder. We do not make the Jello. Sugar-free Jello can be substituted but it may change the flavor.
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!
How To Make Rhubarb Dessert with Jello
Preheat the oven and prepare the pan.
Make the crust by mixing the ingredients listed together. Press the crust into the bottom of a prepared 8×8 pan.
Sprinkle the rhubarb over the crust and then pour the jello powder over the jello.
Make the crumble topping by combining the ingredients and mixing them with two forks or your fingertips until crumbly. Spread over the rhubarb jello layer.
Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour. If the topping starts to get too brown cover it lightly with aluminum foil.
FAQ’s
How to Store
Rhubarb Dessert should be stored lightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It can also freeze it in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
To thaw loosen the cover so condensation doesn’t make the dessert soggy and place it in the refrigerator.
We recommend warming this dessert in the microwave before serving it with ice cream or whipped topping.
Hostess Tips
You can use the bottom of a measuring cup to evenly press the crust into the prepared pan.
Slice the rhubarb into equal-sized pieces so that it cooks consistently.
Only mix the topping ingredients until crumbly. You want to be able to sprinkle it over the filling.
If you use frozen rhubarb, thaw it completely and pat the excess moisture dry.
It’s easier to slice this recipe if it’s cold. If you want to serve it warm, consider spooning it out.
I hope you enjoyed this delicious recipe as much as we do. Drop me a comment below, and don’t forget to give it a star rating. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. Your comments and ratings help others decide if this recipe is for them too.
Easy Rhubarb Dessert Recipe with Jello
Equipment
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 tbsp sugar heaping
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 2 tbsp butter
- ⅛ 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
- ½ cup butter
- ½ 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
Nutrition
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.
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
- Rhubarb Crunch Dessert
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I added some freeze dried raspberries and freeze dried strawberries and used strawberry jello…its delicious!!! Hubby loved it!!
That sounds amazing, Linda!
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!!
That sounds great Mary! I’ll add that tip to the recipe!
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.
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.
Can I use sugar-free Jello in this recipe?
Yes, you can Mary.
Can sugar free jello be used in place of regular?
Yes it can!
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!
Thank you, Kathleen! We love Rhubarb.
Fantastic and easy to create with common ingredients
Thank you, Bob!
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!!!
Awesome Connie! Let me know what you think!
I am making this next week and I cannot wait!!
Thank you, Michaela!
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!
Thank you, Michele!
Wow this is delicious! I’ll take a scoop of ice cream on mine!
Thank you, Nikki!
This looks so delicious like a beautiful seasonal crumb cake. I need to learn more about rhubarb.
Thank you, Debi!
Oh man you are tempting me with this lovely dessert! I adore rhubarb.
Thank you, Ann!
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!
Thank you, Angela! I hope you love it like we do!
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!
Thank you, Claudia! I hope you enjoy it!
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.
Thank you, Heidy! It’s a spring favorite in our house!
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.
We loved this one, Jennifer! Thank you.
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! 🙂
We love Rhubarb, Lisa! Let me know how it comes out using GF flour!
I loved this so much that I think I am going to try different flavors of jello to mix it up! It was delicious!
Thank you, Jacque! The strawberry is amazing too!
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!
Thank you, Laura! I totally agree!
Bought a bunch of rhubarb at the market this weekend — gonna make this!
Thank you, Ivana!
Interesting making it with jello but it was delicious, highly recommend!
Thank you, Noelle! Such an easy recipe!
I LOVE rhubarb, and now I have another way to use the huge patch in my garden. Thanks for sharing!
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!
I love how easy and delicious this was! Perfect with ice cream; my kids loved it!
Thank you so much, Sara! It’s delicious with ice cream!
My Nan used to make the best rhubarb desserts. I have to try this one too!
Thank you Dannii! Family recipes are the best!