Strawberry-Rhubarb Crisp Recipe (2024)

  • Desserts
  • Crumbles
  • Strawberry
  • Rhubarb
  • Memorial Day

Use top-quality strawberries to make a variation on rhubarb crisp that packs in all the classic flavors of spring.

By

Stella Parks

Strawberry-Rhubarb Crisp Recipe (1)

Stella Parks

Editor Emeritus

Stella Parks is a CIA-trained baking nerd and pastry wizard, dubbed one of America's Best New Pastry Chefs by Food & Wine. She was the pastry editor at Serious Eats from 2016 to 2019.

Learn about Serious Eats'Editorial Process

Updated April 15, 2020

Why It Works

  • Whole wheat flour gives the streusel a graham cracker–like flavor.
  • Anise seed and Chinese five-spice powder complement rhubarb, coaxing out more of its natural aroma.
  • Tapioca starch forms a light, clear gel that keeps the filling gooey and thick, never gloppy.
  • Elderflower heightens the aroma of strawberries and rhubarb alike.
  • Baking in stages creates the ideal ratio of gooey filling and tender fruit.
  • Baking soda mellows the sharp acidity of rhubarb.

This crisp is made just like our Rhubarb Crisp, but with strawberries standing in for a portion of the rhubarb. They give the crisp a sweeter profile and more complex flavor. Use the best berries you can find.

Strawberry-Rhubarb Crisp Recipe (2)

The Perfect Rhubarb Crisp, With or Without Strawberries

Recipe Details

Strawberry-Rhubarb Crisp Recipe

Active20 mins

Total2 hrs

Serves12 servings

Ingredients

For the Topping:

  • 5 ounces light brown sugar (about 2/3 cup, packed; 140g)

  • 3 3/4 ounces whole wheat flour (about 3/4 cup, spooned; 105g)

  • 4 ounces old-fashioned rolled oats (about 1 1/3 cups; 115g)

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

  • 1 teaspoon whole anise seed(optional)

  • 1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder

  • 1/4 teaspoon (1g) Diamond Crystal kosher salt; for table salt, use half as much by volume or use the same weight

  • 5 ounces unsalted butter (10 tablespoons; 140g), soft but cool, about 68°F (20°C)

For the Filling:

  • 2 pounds rhubarb, cut into 3/4-inch pieces (about 8 cups; 905g), from around twelve 24-inch stalks (34 ounces; 965g)

  • 10 1/2 ounces sugar (about 1 1/2 cups; 300g)

  • 2 1/2 ounces tapioca flour (about 2/3 cup; 75g), such as Bob’s Red Mill

  • 2 ounces elderflower liqueuror water (1/4 cup; 55g)

  • 3/4 teaspoon (3g) Diamond Crystal kosher salt; for table salt, use half as much by volume or use the same weight

  • 12 ounces trimmed strawberries (about 2 cups; 340g), cut in half if large

  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

To Serve (optional):

  • 1 recipe lemon or orange whipped cream

Directions

  1. For the Topping: Combine brown sugar, whole wheat flour, rolled oats, cinnamon, anise seed (if using), five-spice powder, salt, and butter in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Mix on low speed to form a thick dough, about 5 minutes. Alternatively, this can be done by hand. Transfer to a zip-top bag and refrigerate until needed, up to 1 month.

  2. For the Filling: Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and preheat to 400°F (200°C). In the same bowl from the stand mixer (no need to wash), combine 22 ounces rhubarb (about 5 1/2 cups; 620g) with sugar, tapioca flour, elderflower liqueur or water, and salt. Toss with a flexible spatula and transfer to a 7- by 11-inch baking dish or 9-inch deep-dish pie pan, sprinkling any remaining sugar/starch on top. Cover with foil, place on a foil- or parchment-lined half-sheet pan, and bake until rhubarb is wilted and juicy, about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, transfer strawberries and remaining 10 ounces rhubarb (about 2 1/2 cups; 285g) to the same bowl.

  3. To Finish: Remove baking dish from oven, discard foil, and sprinkle with baking soda. Stir carefully with a heat-resistant spatula until juices begin to fizz. Pour over remaining fruit and fold to combine, then return to baking dish. Top with handfuls of prepared streusel, flattening each addition into a thin sheet to achieve even coverage. Continue baking until crisp is bubbling in the very center, about 35 minutes more. (The time will vary dramatically depending on the exact dimensions and material of your baking dish.)

  4. Cool at least 30 minutes before serving, as the filling will be dangerously hot and extremely runny at first. The crisp will thicken as it cools to room temperature. If you like, serve à la mode or with dollops of lemon or orange whipped cream. Wrapped in foil, the crisp will keep 3 days at room temperature.

Special Equipment

7- by 11-inch glass, ceramic, or stoneware baking dish or 9-inch deep-dish pie pan; stand mixer with paddle attachment; digital thermometer; half-sheet pan

Notes

Due to disparate sourcing practices, tapioca starch manufactured outside the US may be derived from sago, which has different gelling properties from true tapioca (cassava). Look for brands that mention cassava by name; my favorite is Bob's Red Mill, available in the baking aisle of most supermarkets or online.

Make-Ahead and Storage

Wrapped in foil, the crisp will keep 3 days at room temperature.

This Recipe Appears In

  • The Perfect Rhubarb Crisp, With or Without Strawberries
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
360Calories
11g Fat
63g Carbs
3g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 12
Amount per serving
Calories360
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 11g14%
Saturated Fat 6g31%
Cholesterol 25mg8%
Sodium 165mg7%
Total Carbohydrate 63g23%
Dietary Fiber 4g15%
Total Sugars 41g
Protein 3g
Vitamin C 23mg114%
Calcium 96mg7%
Iron 1mg7%
Potassium 352mg7%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Strawberry-Rhubarb Crisp Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why is my rhubarb crisp runny? ›

TROUBLESHOOTING: WHY IS MY RHUBARB CRISP RUNNY? It's pretty typical for any kind of fruit crisp to be a bit liquid-y while it's still warm. The juices are flowing and they are just thinner because of the warmth. But as long as you used the right amount of cornstarch, it should “gel” quite a lot as it cools down.

Why is strawberry paired with rhubarb? ›

It's like a sugar bomb. Rhubarb, when mixed with strawberries, gives you that sourness to balance the sweetness and the complexity.

How many carbs are in rhubarb strawberry crisp? ›

Safeway Rhubarb Strawberry Crisp (0.17 pie) contains 43g total carbs, 42g net carbs, 8g fat, 2g protein, and 250 calories.

What is a good substitute for rhubarb? ›

If you'd like to make this recipe but can't find rhubarb anywhere, substitute with any tart fruit. This could be some firm cherries, blackberries, or granny smith apples.

What is the difference between rhubarb crisp and crumble? ›

So what's a crumble vs. a crisp? A crumble is just a crisp without oats in the streusel. It may feature nuts, but the streusel topping is usually a simple combination of butter, flour, and sugar that is more clumpy than that of a crisp.

How do you fix a runny crisp? ›

You can add cornstarch or flour. I do this when making an apple pie and the filling is not watery.

Is A rhubarb A vegetable or a fruit? ›

Rhubarb is a vegetable often thought to be a fruit. There's actually a good reason for this confusion: in 1947 the USDA classified it as a fruit because the tariffs on bringing fruits into the country were lower on fruits than vegetables. In actuality though, rhubarb is a vegetable - a member of the buckwheat family.

Why is rhubarb good for you? ›

Rhubarb is rich in antioxidants, particularly anthocyanins (which give it its red color) and proanthocyanidins. These antioxidants have anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties, which help protect you from many health-related issues such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.

Can you eat raw rhubarb? ›

Its stalks are deeper red and tinged with green, while its leaves are bright green. It has a more intense flavour and robust texture than the forced variety. Although it can be eaten raw, rhubarb tends to be too tart this way, and it's usually best when cooked with plenty of sugar.

Is rhubarb high sugar? ›

Rhubarb stalks are a popular snack in some areas, and they have very little natural sugar (only about 1 gram in each cup), so they're a good choice if you want to manage the amount of sugar in your food. They're also a good source of vitamin K.

How many calories in a cup of strawberry rhubarb crisp? ›

Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp is quick and easy to make desserts at only 263 calories per serve!

How much sugar is in a slice of strawberry rhubarb pie? ›

Region: US
ServingIngredientCalories
22.61 gramssugar87
3.21 gramsbutter23
0.59 gramflour2
23.21 gramspie crust118
14 more rows
Jun 1, 2016

What is the old name for rhubarb? ›

Rha comes from the Indo-European protolanguage *sreu, which means river or to flow. Rha barbarum was transformed to rhubarb in English and to Rhabarber in German. Medicinal rhubarbs are R.

Can you sweeten rhubarb without sugar? ›

In Jenny's mind, rhubarb needs little more than two additional ingredients and 30 minutes in the oven to come to life. It also can rely on some of nature's best sweeteners—honey and orange juice—to bring it to its sweetest, most flavorful heights.

Why is rhubarb not a fruit? ›

Rhubarb (Rheum officinale Baillon) is a very undemanding perennial vegetable. Wrongly, Rhubarb is often counted among the fruit species. This is due to its sour, fruity taste and the fact that it is mainly used for desserts.

How do you keep rhubarb pie from being runny? ›

Just take the liquid you strained out and simmer it over medium-low heat with a thickener like cornstarch until it's less runny. Then add the thickened juice back to your rhubarb and cornstarch mixture before cooking your recipe like normal.

How do you thicken up rhubarb? ›

If you desire a thicker rhubarb sauce, add a little cornstarch, tapioca, or modified starch after you open the jar prior to serving.

Why is my rhubarb pie soupy? ›

Rhubarb pie fillings are often soft and runny. The rhubarb contains so much water, you either have to add too much thickener or coax the rhubarb to release its liquid before thickening it.

Why is my crumble watery? ›

The ingredient list for a crumble or crisp is relatively short, but don't be tempted to leave out the cornstarch. As fruit cooks, it releases its juices, becoming saucy and soupy.

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