Pies & Tarts

Sublime Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp

4.80 from 35 votes
Sweet strawberries and tart rhubarb are a match made in heaven, which is why this classic strawberry rhubarb crisp recipe is perfect for them.

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Hi Bold Bakers!

It isn’t officially summer until there’s a baking dish filled with a red bubbling concoction of strawberry and rhubarb becoming the perfect combination of sweet and tart in my oven. Of course, strawberries and rhubarb both come into season in the late spring and early summer, so naturally, someone was bound to combine the two — but my love for Strawberry Rhubarb Crisps runs deeper than that!

I mentioned in my Best-Ever Peach Cobbler recipe that I love crisps, crumbles, and cobblers (my mum made sure those delicious desserts were a staple in my childhood), but strawberry rhubarb crisp is a huge favorite in Ireland. In fact, the county where I’m from, Wexford, is known for its famous strawberries. People come from all over come to buy “Wexford Strawberries,” stopping at roadside stalls to get the perfect red fruit during the always-too-short season of summer.

This strawberry rhubarb crisp is beyond easy to make, and it’s bound to become your favorite summer dessert too. The sweet strawberries and tart rhubarb cook down to an incredible jammy mixture, and the warm dish pairs perfectly with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

What Is Rhubarb?

Rhubarb is a confusing thing, for sure, but there’s a reason why it is such a popular treat! Rhubarb is a vegetable, and a sour one too. Its leaves are poisonous and you actually only eat the stalk, but, once you have rhubarb and strawberry, you’ll understand why it’s such a celebrated ingredient. 

Besides just happening to share the same season, strawberries and rhubarb are naturally perfect for each other. Strawberries are incredibly sweet, and if you tried to make just a crisp with them alone it’d probably be too sugary to eat more than one bite. Rhubarb’s sourness turns that sweetness down, which is why the two go together like peanut butter and jelly. 

But I know what you’re thinking: Yes, rhubarb looks like celery. No, it doesn’t taste similar. And guess what — they’re not even related.

Don’t let that deter you from one of the best summer desserts out there.

The best strawberry rhubarb crisp recipe, showing what it looks like completed.

Crisp vs. Crumble

So, what’s the difference between a crisp and crumble, anyway? While both are delicious and baked on top of fruit, what makes these streusels different is their ingredients.  

A crisp is typically made of brown sugar, flour, and butter. Meanwhile, a crumble is usually topped with rolled oats and brown sugar. Despite these differences, though, the words are regularly used interchangeably. But what’s in a name anyway?

What You Need To Make Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp

A close up of Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp, to show texture and color when finished.

How to Make Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp

To me, a strawberry rhubarb crisp is even better than a pie. There’s no need to make and roll out a crust! Here are the basic steps (and don’t forget to get the full recipe with measurements, on the page down below):

  1. Pour strawberries, rhubarb, sugar, cornstarch, and vanilla extract into a baking dish.
  2. In a bowl, make the topping by combining flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon, butter, vanilla extract, almond extract, and almonds.
  3. Stir the topping mixture until it looks like coarse crumbles.
  4. Spread topping on top of the fruit.
  5. Bake at 350°F (180°C) for an hour, or until the topping is a perfect golden brown and the fruit juices are bubbling.
  6. Allow the crisp to cool for 20 minutes, and serve with vanilla ice cream.

Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips for Making Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp

  • Using salted butter for your topping will give it more flavor. 
  • Frozen strawberries and rhubarb work just as well as fresh.
  • Swap out strawberries and rhubarb for other seasonal fruits!
  • Don’t skimp on the vanilla and almonds! These flavors are what make this crisp really unique.
  • The flavor of this crisp gets even better as it sits, so be patient when it comes out of the oven. With time, the fruit becomes even more concentrated and delicious!

How Do I Store Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp?

The topping of this dessert can be made up to 3 days in advance and can be frozen for up to 4 weeks. Baked strawberry rhubarb crisp can be stored covered in the fridge for up to 3 days.

A top-down look at my classic strawberry rhubarb crisp, flanked with vanilla ice cream.

Make More Dessert!

And don’t forget to buy my Bigger Bolder Baking Cookbook!

Full (and printable) recipe below!

Sublime Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp Recipe

4.80 from 35 votes
Sweet strawberries and tart rhubarb are a match made in heaven, which is why this classic strawberry rhubarb crisp recipe is perfect for them.
Author: Gemma Stafford
Servings: 6 people
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Sweet strawberries and tart rhubarb are a match made in heaven, which is why this classic strawberry rhubarb crisp recipe is perfect for them.
Author: Gemma Stafford
Servings: 6 people

Ingredients

Fruit Filling

  • 3 cups (14oz/400g) strawberries, quartered
  • 3 cups (14oz/400g) rhubarb, cut into 1 inch pieces
  • ½ cup (4oz/115g) granulated sugar
  • 1 ½ tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Crisp Topping

  • 1 cup (5oz/142g) all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup (4oz/115g) sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ cup (4oz/115g) butter, melted
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon almond extract
  • ½ cup (2 ½ oz/71g) almonds, finely chopped

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
  • Combine strawberries, rhubarb, sugar, cornstarch, and vanilla extract and then pour into an 8 or 9-inch baking dish.
  • To make the topping: In a bowl combine flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon, butter, vanilla extract, almond extract, and almonds and stir together until the topping resembles coarse crumbles.
  • Spread topping evenly over the strawberry rhubarb mixture and place in the oven.
  • Bake for one hour, or until the topping is golden brown and juices are bubbling.
  • Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or softly whipped cream. Store leftovers in the fridge covered for up to 3 days.

 

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Milk
3 years ago

This recipe is super tasty and easy. My husband wasn’t too excited when I told him I was putting this together, but he asked for seconds and thirds once it was ready!

Pat
Pat
3 years ago

Beyond Excellent, Decadent, Addicting & certainly Sublime! Easy too!
Received rave reviews for this outstanding Red, White & Blue recipe.

I reduced Cane Sugar in fruit filling & crisp topping to 1/4th cup each…..may do even less next time.
Due to a Cornstarch allergy, I substituted Flour.
I didn’t have Rhubarb, so I substituted 1.5 Apples, handful of Blueberries & a few soaked Raisins.

WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can’t wait to make this again!
Happy July 4th!
And THANKS Gemma!

Shawna
Shawna
7 months ago

So where do I get a Wexford strawberry???
American berries not so good!!!

Kelly
Kelly
1 year ago

Question regarding the “sugar” in the crisp ingredients, is it brown sugar? Thanks. I used granulated for both so hope the crisp will be ok.

Bernie black
Bernie black
2 years ago

Followed the recipe exactly and the ‘crumble’ was lumpy, couldn’t reduce it to a proper crumble finish although tried with fingers for ages . Very disappointed. Don’t know what I did wrong

Nadia
Nadia
2 years ago

This looks wonderful!! Is there a substitute for the almonds and almond extract? My boyfriend has a nut allergy.

Marleen
Marleen
2 years ago

Would you suggest thawing the frozen rhubarb first, or can it be used frozen? And when using frozen rhubarb, do the strawberries have to be frozen as well, or can I use fresh strawberries 🍓?

David Ramsey
3 years ago

Very tasty!

Kim
Kim
3 years ago

How can I make this with no sugar? My husband is diabetic.

Aylene
Aylene
3 years ago

In the oven, lovely smells,. Hadn’t rhubarb or strawberries, used blueberries and apple. Can’t wait to have dinner over to try it. Looked great going in.

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About Us

Meet Gemma

About Us

Meet Gemma

Hi Bold Bakers! I’m Gemma Stafford, a professional chef originally from Ireland, a cookbook author, and the creator of Bigger Bolder Baking. I want to help you bake with confidence anytime, anywhere with my trusted and tested recipes and baking tips. You may have seen one of my 500+ videos on YouTube & TikTok or as a guest judge on Nailed It! on Netflix or the Best Baker in America on Food Network. No matter your skills, my Bold Baking Team & I want to be your #1 go-to baking authority.

 

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