Almond, rhubarb and white chocolate squares

Rhubarb season is at its peak! Well at least here in Ireland, if you live further north it’s probably just starting. So I thought I’d share my favourite rhubarb recipes with you, starting with these yummy almond and rhubarb squares. The recipe is very similar to my almond and apple squares:)

All you need is:

• 3 - 4 stalks of rhubarb

• 175 g soft butter 

• 175 g caster sugar

• 3 large eggs

• 125 g self-raising flour 

• 50 g ground almonds

• A few drops of almond essence 

• A handful of white chocolate chips (or white chocolate cut into small pieces)

• Icing sugar and toasted almond flakes 

Turn the oven on 180 C/ 160 fan. Line an 8” x 8” square tin. Wash the rhubarb and cut it into about 1 cm thick slices. Mix butter and sugar with an electric whisk until white and fluffy. Add one egg at a time. Fold in the flour, ground almonds and almond essence using a spatula. Spread out the mixture in the tin. Add the rhubarb slices and press them down slightly. Finally sprinkle the white chocolate chips on the top.

Bake for about 20 minutes. Allow to cool completely before cutting into squares or slices. You would get 12 slices or 16 squares. Toast a handful of almond flakes in a dry frying pan. Watch carefully, as they can burn quite easily.

Make icing using 4 tbsp of icing sugar and a little bit of water. Mix it into a smooth paste and ripple it over the rhubarb slices. Finally add the toasted almond. I like to make a shape of a flower.

These squares are yummy on their own but you can also serve them with lightly whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

These yummy squares also make a great edible gift! Just place them in a box or a nice tin.