Strawberry Rhubarb Streusel Bars

My absolute favorite thing about the changing of seasons is the excuse it gives me to bake an array of goodies. Strawberries and rhubarb are two of the ingredients I cherish most about this time of year. Pie, crisp, jam, muffins... you name it, and I probably want to stuff my face with it. This recipe has a wonderful balance of sweet from the strawberries and tartness from the rhubarb. 

This recipe has a wonderful balance of sweet from the strawberries and tartness from the rhubarb. Just my kind of snack.

Streusel Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup vegan butter at room temperature
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 1/2 cups flour

Strawberry Rhubarb Filling:

• 2 cups diced rhubarb
• 2 cups diced strawberries
• 2 tablespoons corn starch
• 1/4 cup agave 

Bar Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups vegan butter
• 1 1/4 cups sugar
• 3/4 cup applesauce
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Line 9x13 inch baking pan with parchment paper. (Make sure the parchment comes all of the way up the sides.)

Streusel Preparation:

1. In a medium bowl, mix together softened butter and brown sugar by hand. 
2. Add flour, and mix by hand until fully incorporated.
3. Put the mixture in the refrigerator until ready to use

Filling Preparation:

1.  In a medium bowl, mix all of the filling ingredients.
2. Let sit while you prepare the bars

Bar Preparation:

1. In stand mixer add butter and sugar.
2. Beat on low speed until fully mixed.
3. Once fully mixed, turn on high speed and beat for 3 minutes. Once the time is up, turn back to low speed.
4. Add applesauce and vanilla while still mixing on low speed. 
5. In a separate bowl- mix flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and sea salt.
6. Add to mixer 1/4 cup at a time while still on low speed.
7. Once all of the flour mixture has been added, turn the mixer off.

Assembly:

1. In prepared baking pan, spread the bar mixture evenly.
2. Top with filling. (try to spread evenly over the top of the batter)
3. Crumble streusel topping over the top of the filling as evenly as possible.
4. Bake for 55 minutes to an hour, until toothpick comes out clean and topping is slightly browned. 
5. Cool before cutting

Enjoy!