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Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp

Old Fashioned Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp

I am such a fan of crisps with delicious fruit. From my Blueberry Crisp to my Apple Crisp, they are easy and simple, yet full of delicious flavor. This Strawberry Rhubarb version is no different. Incredibly easy to make and a great way to use fresh spring fruit. If you’ve ever seen rhubarb in the store and wondered what in the world it tastes like, but didn’t decide to try it, now is the time!

This crisp is sweet, with just a touch of tart from the rhubarb. The fresh fruity filling pairs perfectly with the crisp topping that’s buttery with a bit of cinnamon. I just can’t have a crisp without a touch of cinnamon. It seems to compliment just about every fruit and I love it so!

What is Rhubarb?

Rhubarb is technically a vegetable, and looks like one too. It actually looks and feels like pink celery. There’s very little about it that is appealing for baking when you first look at it, but when tossed with some sugar and cooked down, they get more sweet. They blend in perfectly with the strawberries in this crisp.

strawberry rhubarb crisp with a scoop of ice cream on top on a red and white striped napkin

Ingredients You’ll Need

Rhubarb is typically available April through June, so now is the time to try this delicious crisp!

For the Oat Topping

All-Purpose Flour: This thickener is key for any oat topping.
Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats: For that amazing crispiness that gives this dessert its name.
Brown Sugar: Be sure to pack it into the measuring cup.
Cinnamon: This classic spice compliments almost any fruit.
Salt: To enhance the flavor.
Cold Butter: Cut into cubes. This holds everything together and ensures that your oats get extra crispy.

For the Filling

Rhubarb: You’ll need 4 to 5 stalks that are trimmed and sliced about 1/2 inch long.
Strawberries: Hulled and quartered.
Sugar: For sweetness and to contribute to the juicy filling.
All-Purpose Flour: To thicken the filling so that it isn’t too soupy.
Orange Juice: You could also use lemon juice. These citrus fruit contain pectin, which help to thicken the filling.
Vanilla Extract: To enhance the flavors in the filling.
Salt: This enhances the other flavors in the filling.

Ingredients for Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp.

How to Make Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp

Perhaps the best part about this dessert is how easy it is to make!

Heat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Combine Dry Ingredients for Topping: Add all of the dry topping ingredients (everything but the butter) to a medium-sized bowl and stir to combine.

Add Butter & Set Aside: Use a pastry cutter or a fork to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture is crumbly and comes together. Set it aside while you make the filling.

The flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt combined in a glass bowl. — Combine dry ingredients.

Chopped cold butter added to the dry ingredients. — Combine dry ingredients.

Make Filling: Combine all of the ingredients for the filling and stir until the strawberries and rhubarb are well coated, then pour the mixture into an 8 or 9 inch dish.

Add Topping: Sprinkle the topping evenly over the strawberries and rhubarb..

Chopped strawberries and rhubarb in a glass bowl with flour, sugar, orange juice, vanilla extract salt added on top — Make the filling.

Strawberry and rhubarb mixture added to a baking pan — Make the filling.

Bake: Bake the crisp for about 45-55 minutes, until the topping is golden around the edges and the filling is nice and bubbly.

Let Cool: Allow your crisp to cool for about 15 minutes prior to serving it.

Tips for Success

Keep the Butter Cold: Don’t leave the butter out at room temperature before you start on your topping. If it’s too warm, the topping will get clumpy.
Keep the Fruit Ratio the Same: While it can be tempting to add more strawberries, you want to keep the amount of strawberries and rhubarb the same in this recipe. Strawberries have a lot more moisture in them, so using too many can give you a runny filling.

Serving Suggestions

Pair with Vanilla Ice Cream: I love to serve this crisp warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Add Whipped Cream: If you want something for your crisp without using ice cream, I recommend this Stabilized Mascarpone Whipped Cream. The flavor from the mascarpone cheese will pair beautifully with this!
Top with Nuts: Want to add even more crunch to your crisp? Go ahead and sprinkle it with chopped pecans or walnuts after you bake it. You can toast the nuts to bring out their flavor, if desired.

Baked strawberry rhubarb crisp in baking pan

How to Store Leftovers

You can store leftover strawberry rhubarb crisp in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Just let it cool first. To reheat it, scoop the amount you want into a bowl and warm it in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, depending on how big your serving is. Keep in mind that the topping won’t be crunchy after the crisp has been chilled and microwaved.

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