Rhubarb Cheesecake Squares

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 2 cups fresh rhubarb, cut into 1/2-inch slices
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 eggs

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°. In a medium bowl, combine flour and brown sugar; stir in melted butter until crumbly. Reserve 1/2 cup crumb mixture for topping; press remaining crumb mixture into an ungreased 13x9-in. baking pan.
2. In a large bowl, mix rhubarb and granulated sugar; sprinkle with cinnamon. Spoon over crumb mixture.
3. In a small bowl, beat cream cheese, vanilla and eggs until smooth. Pour over rhubarb mixture.
4. Sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly. Cool completely before cutting into bars.

Interesting Facts

• Rhubarb is not a fruit, but a vegetable.
• Rhubarb is a good source of Vitamin C and dietary fiber.
• Rhubarb has a tart flavor, so it's often paired with sugar or other sweeteners.
• Rhubarb is believed to have originated in China, and has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries.