When I think of desserts that are both comforting and refreshing, a strawberry rhubarb crisp immediately comes to mind. It’s one of those classic recipes that combines the perfect balance of sweet and tart, with a crumbly, buttery topping that melts in your mouth. The flavors of the strawberries and rhubarb complement each other beautifully, and when topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, it becomes a treat that’s hard to resist.
PrintStrawberry Rhubarb Crisp Recipe: A Sweet and Tangy Dessert for Beginners
🍓✨ Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp is here to satisfy your sweet and tangy cravings! 🥄 A beginner-friendly recipe with simple ingredients that create a heavenly crisp with a juicy, fruity filling. 🍏 Perfect for cozy nights or a crowd-pleasing dessert at any gathering! 🍦
#CrispDelight 🍓 #SweetAndTangyTreats 😋 #StrawberryRhubarbLove 💖 #EasyToBake 🥄 #BakingForBeginners 🌟 #SummerDesserts 🍓 #ComfortingDessert 🍰 #HomemadeGoodness 💕 #CrispyTopping 🍏 #DessertPerfection 🍦
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Ingredients
For the Filling:
- 4 cups rhubarb (4–5 stalks), cut into a ½”-1″ dice
- 4 cups strawberries, hulled and large ones halved
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 orange, zested and juiced (approximately ¼ cup juice)
- ½ tablespoon cornstarch
For the Topping:
- 12 tablespoons (1 and ½ sticks) unsalted butter
- 1 cup flour
- 1 cup rolled oats (not instant)
- ¾ cup lightly packed light brown sugar
- ¼ cup sugar
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
For Serving:
- Vanilla ice cream, for serving
Alternative Ingredients Suggestions:
- If you don’t have rhubarb, you can substitute with apples or peaches for a different twist on this dessert.
- You can use whole wheat flour for a slightly healthier version of the topping.
- If you’re looking to cut down on sugar, substitute with a sugar substitute or use a small amount of honey or maple syrup instead.
Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that your dessert bakes evenly and comes out perfectly golden brown.
2. Prepare the Fruit Filling
In a large mixing bowl, toss the rhubarb, strawberries, ½ cup sugar, and orange zest together. The sweetness of the sugar and the citrusy brightness from the orange zest will enhance the natural flavors of the fruit.
In a separate small bowl, dissolve the cornstarch in the orange juice. This mixture will help thicken the filling and create a nice syrupy consistency when baked. Add this cornstarch mixture to the fruit and stir gently to combine.
3. Transfer the Fruit to the Baking Dish
Next, transfer the fruit mixture into an 8×11-inch baking dish. Placing the baking dish on a parchment-lined baking sheet is a great idea in case there’s any overflow during baking. It makes cleanup a breeze and prevents your oven from getting messy.
4. Make the Crumble Topping
Now it’s time to make the topping! In a large bowl, combine the flour, rolled oats, light brown sugar, ¼ cup sugar, and Kosher salt. You can use cold butter if you have a stand mixer, or simply let the butter soften to room temperature if you’re mixing by hand.
- Using a stand mixer: Cut the butter into chunks and add it to the dry ingredients. Mix on low speed until you get a moist, crumbly mixture.
- Mixing by hand: Simply use your fingers or a pastry cutter to work the butter into the dry ingredients until it resembles coarse crumbs. The process is simple but results in a topping that’s wonderfully crumbly and rich.
5. Add the Topping
Sprinkle the topping evenly over the fruit mixture, covering it completely. The topping will form a golden crust as it bakes, adding texture and flavor that complements the fruit filling perfectly.
6. Bake the Crisp
Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for about 1 hour. You’ll know the crisp is done when the fruit is bubbling and the topping turns golden brown. The kitchen will be filled with a delightful aroma, making the wait well worth it.
7. Serve and Enjoy
Allow the crisp to cool for a few minutes before serving. For the ultimate treat, serve it warm with a generous scoop of high-quality vanilla ice cream on top. The creamy ice cream melts into the warm fruit and crispy topping, creating a delicious contrast of textures.
Notes
- How to Tell if the Fruit is Done: The fruit should be bubbling and soft, but not too mushy. Rhubarb has a tart flavor that softens beautifully when baked, but it still maintains some of its shape.
- How to Keep the Topping From Getting Too Hard: If you find that your topping becomes too firm or hard after baking, try adding a bit more butter or using a bit more sugar. You can also cover the crisp loosely with aluminum foil during the last 10 minutes of baking to prevent the topping from becoming too dry.
- Dealing with Overcooking Veggies: If your rhubarb or strawberries cook too quickly, simply cover the crisp with foil and bake at a lower temperature (325°F) for the remaining time. This will help prevent the fruit from overcooking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
For beginner cooks, this strawberry rhubarb crisp is the perfect choice. Not only is it simple to prepare, but it also doesn’t require any complex techniques. You’ll find that the ingredients are easy to work with, and the results are absolutely delicious. Whether you’re looking for a new dessert to serve for a family dinner or something to take to a gathering, this dish is sure to impress.
Ingredients and Preparation
For the Filling:
- 4 cups rhubarb (4-5 stalks), cut into a ½”-1″ dice
- 4 cups strawberries, hulled and large ones halved
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 orange, zested and juiced (approximately ¼ cup juice)
- ½ tablespoon cornstarch
For the Topping:
- 12 tablespoons (1 and ½ sticks) unsalted butter
- 1 cup flour
- 1 cup rolled oats (not instant)
- ¾ cup lightly packed light brown sugar
- ¼ cup sugar
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
For Serving:
- Vanilla ice cream, for serving
Alternative Ingredients Suggestions:
- If you don’t have rhubarb, you can substitute with apples or peaches for a different twist on this dessert.
- You can use whole wheat flour for a slightly healthier version of the topping.
- If you’re looking to cut down on sugar, substitute with a sugar substitute or use a small amount of honey or maple syrup instead.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that your dessert bakes evenly and comes out perfectly golden brown.
2. Prepare the Fruit Filling
In a large mixing bowl, toss the rhubarb, strawberries, ½ cup sugar, and orange zest together. The sweetness of the sugar and the citrusy brightness from the orange zest will enhance the natural flavors of the fruit.
In a separate small bowl, dissolve the cornstarch in the orange juice. This mixture will help thicken the filling and create a nice syrupy consistency when baked. Add this cornstarch mixture to the fruit and stir gently to combine.
3. Transfer the Fruit to the Baking Dish
Next, transfer the fruit mixture into an 8×11-inch baking dish. Placing the baking dish on a parchment-lined baking sheet is a great idea in case there’s any overflow during baking. It makes cleanup a breeze and prevents your oven from getting messy.
4. Make the Crumble Topping
Now it’s time to make the topping! In a large bowl, combine the flour, rolled oats, light brown sugar, ¼ cup sugar, and Kosher salt. You can use cold butter if you have a stand mixer, or simply let the butter soften to room temperature if you’re mixing by hand.
- Using a stand mixer: Cut the butter into chunks and add it to the dry ingredients. Mix on low speed until you get a moist, crumbly mixture.
- Mixing by hand: Simply use your fingers or a pastry cutter to work the butter into the dry ingredients until it resembles coarse crumbs. The process is simple but results in a topping that’s wonderfully crumbly and rich.
5. Add the Topping
Sprinkle the topping evenly over the fruit mixture, covering it completely. The topping will form a golden crust as it bakes, adding texture and flavor that complements the fruit filling perfectly.
6. Bake the Crisp
Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for about 1 hour. You’ll know the crisp is done when the fruit is bubbling and the topping turns golden brown. The kitchen will be filled with a delightful aroma, making the wait well worth it.
7. Serve and Enjoy
Allow the crisp to cool for a few minutes before serving. For the ultimate treat, serve it warm with a generous scoop of high-quality vanilla ice cream on top. The creamy ice cream melts into the warm fruit and crispy topping, creating a delicious contrast of textures.
Beginner Tips and Notes
- How to Tell if the Fruit is Done: The fruit should be bubbling and soft, but not too mushy. Rhubarb has a tart flavor that softens beautifully when baked, but it still maintains some of its shape.
- How to Keep the Topping From Getting Too Hard: If you find that your topping becomes too firm or hard after baking, try adding a bit more butter or using a bit more sugar. You can also cover the crisp loosely with aluminum foil during the last 10 minutes of baking to prevent the topping from becoming too dry.
- Dealing with Overcooking Veggies: If your rhubarb or strawberries cook too quickly, simply cover the crisp with foil and bake at a lower temperature (325°F) for the remaining time. This will help prevent the fruit from overcooking.
Serving Suggestions
This strawberry rhubarb crisp is delightful on its own, but it’s also delicious when paired with other simple dishes. Try serving it with:
- A side of whipped cream for added richness.
- A scoop of homemade vanilla or strawberry ice cream to complement the flavors.
- A hot cup of herbal tea for a comforting dessert experience.
Storage Tips for Leftovers:
If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The crisp can be reheated in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes until the topping is warm and crispy again.
Conclusion
There’s something undeniably satisfying about making a homemade dessert that’s both easy to prepare and wonderfully delicious. This strawberry rhubarb crisp fits the bill perfectly for beginner cooks who want to impress their family or guests without a lot of fuss. With its simple ingredients, straightforward steps, and delightful flavors, it’s bound to become a favorite in your kitchen.
So why not give it a try? Let us know how your version turns out and if you have any tips or tweaks of your own. We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
Happy baking, and enjoy every bite of your strawberry rhubarb crisp!