Rhubarb crisp is the perfect combination of sweet and tart. The inside is stuffed with juicy, sweetened rhubarb. Top the fruit with crunchy oats and brown sugar crumble. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Now, that is my idea of a springtime dessert. Also, make sure to try my Apple Crisp.
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SIS - Simple is Smart Tip for Rhubarb Crisp
This is a basic recipe for many different fruit crisps. In place of the rhubarb, you can substitute apples, peaches, berries, and even tropical fruits like mangos and pineapple.
Neuro Nutrition Nugget - Rhubarb
Rhubarb, a vegetable commonly used in pies and desserts, has been gaining attention for its potential neuro-nutritional benefits. While research on the specific effects of rhubarb on the brain is limited, it is rich in antioxidants and certain vitamins that are known to support cognitive function. Antioxidants help protect the brain from oxidative stress and inflammation, which can contribute to cognitive decline. Additionally, rhubarb contains vitamins such as vitamin K, which has been linked to improved memory and brain health. Including rhubarb in your diet may be a delicious way to support your brain health, but more research is needed to fully understand its neuro-nutritional properties.
Additionally, rhubarb is a good source of fiber, which is important for maintaining a healthy gut microbiome. Emerging research suggests that the gut-brain axis plays a crucial role in neurological health, and a balanced microbiome can have positive effects on brain function and is also important for the production of seratonin, on of the chemicals that helps us maintain a positive ourlook and mood.
How can I make it Vegan
Replace the butter in the recipe with vegan plant based butter and serve with plant based whipped cream or ice cream.
Can I Make it Gluten Free?
Replace the flour with measure for measure gluten free flour.
What is Rhubarb?
Rhubarb is a vegetable! That’s right, a vegetable. Rhubarb is often mistakenly labeled a fruit because it is juicy and used most often in desserts like rhubarb crisp, rhubarb pie, and rhubarb sauce. But it is a vegetable and not a fruit.
The season for rhubarb is from late April to early June. The rhubarb stalk is very tart, and the only part of the plant that is edible. The leaves are not edible as they contain a poisonous substance, oxalic acid. Be sure you remove all of the leaves and discard them in the compost pile. Rhubarb is available in season at most grocery stores.
How do I make Rhubarb Crisp?
I Love the rhubarb/strawberry combination. I was planning to make a rhubarb/strawberry crisp. However, the store was out of strawberries. It is too early for strawberries from my berry patch. What to do? Hmmm. I love apple crisp and had a couple of apples that needed to be used up. I diced them up and was delighted with the taste and texture of the crisp after it was baked. The apples are slightly firm and compliment the tartness of the rhubarb. I am using apples again with rhubarb.
The crisp is very easy to make. Mix together the rhubarb, apples, sugar, and a thickener. I use either instant clear gel or instant tapioca. You can also use cornstarch or flour. Mix together the rolled oats, brown sugar, flour, and melted butter to make the “crisp” topping. Bake and serve warm with vanilla ice cream. The crisp is good enough to eat without the ice cream. However, the sweet, creamy ice cream is such a delicious contrast to the tartness of the crisp. YUM!!!
What ingredients do I need to make Rhubarb Crisp?
- Rhubarb: use fresh rhubarb so this is a seasonal dessert as rhubarbs season is short.
- Apples: complements the rhubarb you could make it with all rhubarb
- Sugar: Use either white or brown sugar
- Thickener: I love instant clear gel as the thickener, however instant tapioca also works well.
- Flour or gluten free flour this recipe is super easy to make gluten free. Otherwise use all purpse unbleached white flour.
- Rolled Oats use old fashioned not the instant.
- Brown Sugar
- Cinnamon
- Butter or Vegan Butter
Step by step Instructions for making Rhubarb Crisp
Rhubarb Crisp
- Preheat oven to 350°F
- Mix together the rhubarb, apples, sugar, and instant tapioca or instant clear gel. Mix the clear gel or tapioca into the sugar before adding the sugar to the apples.
- Put the fruit mixture in a square 9 X 9-inch baking pan for a thinner crisp, use an 8 1/2 X 11-inch rectangular or oval baking pan.
Topping
Mix together the rolled oats, brown sugar, cinnamon and flour.
- Melt the butter and add to the oats mixture. Stir until the dry ingredients are all moistened.
- Add topping to the fruit. Bake 350°F for 45 minutes.
- Serve warm with some vanilla ice cream.
If you love rhubarb as much as I do, here are some more delicious recipes. Rhubarb Blueberry Upside Down Cake, Rhubarb Strawberry Pie, always a classic favorite of Farmer Freds, and a favorite of mine, Rhubarb Pistachio Streusel Bundt Cake.
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Rhubarb Crisp with Video
Equipment
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Ingredients
- 3 cups rhubarb cut 1-inch pieces (
- 3 cups apples peeled and diced 1/2 inch pieces
- 1 cup sugar
- 4 tbsp instant tapioca or 3 tbsp. instant clear gel
Topping
- 1 cup rolled oats old-fashioned
- ½ cup brown sugar packed
- ½ cup butter melted
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F
- Mix the clear gel or tapioca into the sugar before adding the sugar to the apples. Mix together the rhubarb, apples, sugar, and instant tapioca or instant clear gel.
- Put the fruit mixture in a square 9 X 9-inch baking pan for a thinner crisp, use an 81/2 X 11-inch rectangular or oval baking pan.
Topping
- Mix together the rolled oats, brown sugar, cinnamon and flour.
- Melt the butter and add to the oats mixture. Stir until the dry ingredients are all moistened.
- Add topping to the fruit. Bake 350°F for 45 minutes.
- Serve warm with some vanilla icecream.
