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.

What fruits pair well with rhubarb? ›

Rhubarb flavor pairings:
  • any type of berries, but especially strawberries.
  • vanilla.
  • almond.
  • cardamom.
  • lemon.
  • apples.
  • mint.
  • ginger.
Jun 6, 2023

Why is rhubarb always paired with strawberry? ›

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

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 do you fix a runny crisp? ›

A quick and easy way is to add a spoonful of Minute tapioca along with the apple slices and toss it all in a bowl with the sugar and spices. Then pile the slices in the crust. The tapioca soaks up the excess apple juice and turns it into a soft jelly.

How do you fix a runny crumble? ›

If possible, drain or dip off some of the liquid. Then, stir in a little flour or oats, and bake a little longer. About 10–15 minutes should do. To add even more crisp, top generously with granola.

What can't you eat on rhubarb? ›

Rhubarb leaves contain a poison called oxalic acid, so should never be eaten – cut them off and discard. Maincrop rhubarb can sometimes have tough, stringy ribs, so after washing it, strip these off with a small, sharp knife and slice the stalk thinly or thickly as required.

Is rhubarb an inflammatory food? ›

Lower cholesterol levels reduce your risk for heart disease and heart attack. The vitamin K in rhubarb may also aid in preventing the calcification of blood vessels. The antioxidants in the vegetable also provide anti-inflammatory effects, which can further help to protect your heart health.

Is rhubarb good for your stomach? ›

Its root and underground stem are used in traditional Chinese medicine combinations. Rhubarb contains chemicals that might help heal cold sores and reduce swelling. Rhubarb also contains fiber, which might help reduce cholesterol levels and affect stomach conditions.

Why shouldn't you pick rhubarb after July? ›

Rhubarb is good to eat in spring or early summer months, so before late July, to be exact. However, during the late summer months, rhubarb stalks tend to become more fibrous and start to lose their characteristic natural flavor. So, it's better not to eat rhubarb in the late summer.

Why can't you eat too much rhubarb? ›

High in oxalic acid

Rhubarb contains approximately 570–1,900 mg of oxalate per 3.5 ounces (100 grams). The leaves contain the most oxalate, comprising 0.5–1.0% of the leaf ( 3 ). Too much oxalate in the body can lead to a condition known as hyperoxaluria, which is when excess oxalate is excreted in the urine.

When not to use rhubarb? ›

When do you have to worry about rhubarb? Rhubarb in your garden that has frozen to the point where the stalks become damaged or mushy should be discarded. Check the leaves, too. If the stalks are firm and upright and the leaves have little damage, the rhubarb is OK.

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

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.

How many carbs are in strawberry rhubarb? ›

Strawberry-rhubarb Pie, Two Crust (1 pie (10 in. dia)) contains 542.4g total carbs, 518.1g net carbs, 217.7g fat, 47.2g protein, and 4274 calories.

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? ›

Add some water (at least a cup) and the rhubarb to a saucepan. Add some sugar (about a cup) Cook on medium low heat until the sugar is dissolved and the sauce is boiled down to a thick syrup. Let the mix cool, or refrigerate, and then move along with your recipe.

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.

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.

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