How to make Classic Rhubarb Crumble
Classic Rhubarb Crumble is a delicious dessert that is so easy to make and popular with all the family. The soft sweet rhubarb has just enough of a tang to cut through the topping of crumbly, buttery crumble. It’s a combination that is made in heaven and can only be made better by adding custard!
Why make Rhubarb Crumble?
Rhubarb Crumble is a favourite dessert in our family. It’s the first recipe I make with the rhubarb from my garden because it’s just so good. You don’t need too much rhubarb to make this simple dessert and the crumble topping is quick and easy to make.
What is Rhubarb?
Rhubarb is a hardy perennial plant with pink, red or pale green stems that are most often used in desserts like crumbles and pies. It has a tart flavour and is too sharp to eat raw, but combined with sugar and other ingredients it has a delicious tangy taste.
How do you grow Rhubarb?
Rhubarb is grown from a crown. This is a thick rhizome that is planted just below the surface of the soil Rhubarb plants like lots of moisture and you need to mulch the plant to keep it from getting too dry.
When is Rhubarb in season?
The best rhubarb is available in Spring. The earliest rhubarb you can buy is forced, this means it has been grown in the dark. Forced rhubarb has pale pink stems and is tender and sweet.
Rhubarb continues to grow throughout the summer but as the season progresses the stems become tougher
Can I grow my own rhubarb?
I have several well-established crowns of rhubarb in my garden. They have been in the garden for at least 50 years and pop up every year providing an abundance of delicious rhubarb stalks.
If you know someone with a good patch of rhubarb, ask if they will split their crown and give you a piece to plant in your own garden. You can also buy a rhubarb crown, it will grow best if you can plant it in the soil but it is possible to plant it in a large container, you’ll need to keep it well fed to get a good crop.
If you don’t have space to grow your own rhubarb then it is readily available to buy in supermarkets and greengrocers.
What ingredients do I need to make Classic Rhubarb Crumble?
Other than the rhubarb you are likely to have all the ingredients you need in your larder and fridge.
- rhubarb
- sugar
- plain (all purpose) flour
- butter
- rolled oats
What kind of sugar do I need?
Use white granulated sugar with the chopped rhubarb in the base of the crumble. White sugar adds sweetness without adding extra flavour, this means the flavour of the rhubarb is the star.
I use either soft brown sugar or demerara sugar in the crumble because I like the caramelised flavour that these brown sugars give to the crumble. Demerara sugar also adds a lovely extra crunch to the crumble.
What kind of flour do I need?
I use plain (all purpose) flour, it has a fine texture and works well with the rolled oats. I have also made crumble with wholemeal (whole wheat) flour which has a nice nutty flavour.
Do I need to use rolled oats?
I like the texture and the toasted oat flavour that rolled oats give to the crumble. However, you can make crumble with just flour, butter and sugar. Increase the quantity of flour by the amount of rolled oats you would have used.
Can I use vegetable spread instead of butter?
I like the flavour of butter but you can use a vegetable spread in place of butter. Check that it is one that is suitable for baking as some low fat spreads have a high quantity of water which makes it unsuitable for baking.
How do I prepare the rhubarb for the Rhubard Crumble?
Cut off the leaves and the ends and wash the stalks of rhubarb thoroughly. Cut the rhubarb stalks into even-sized pieces about 3 cm long.
The actual size is not as important but you want to make sure they are roughly even because then they will all cook at the same time. If you have a lot of different sized pieces some will disintegrate while others may not be cooked through.
What kind of dish should I use?
I use a 450 ml (1 pint) ovenproof dish. I like to use a deep dish for Rhubarb Crumble but you can use a slightly larger shallow dish. If you do use a shallow dish then please be aware that the crumble may take a little less time to cook.
Vegetarian
Classic Rhubarb Crumble is suitable for vegetarians. Use a vegan baking spread in the crumble and it will also be suitable for vegans.
Gluten Free
My crumble recipe contains wheat flour but you can make this delicious GF Crumble from the Gluten Free Alchemist.
How do I serve Classic Rhubarb Crumble?
There is something rather wonderful about the combination of tart rhubarb and sweet oaty crumble. The classic accompaniment for crumble is a creamy custard. Make my Easy Vanilla Custard Sauce or you can buy good quality ready-made custard.
I also like to serve Classic Rhubarb Crumble hot with cold ice cream, creme fraiche or cream. It’s a very simple dessert but like many simple recipes, there is something about it that is just so good.
More Rhubarb Recipes from Farmersgirl Kitchen
As the rhubarb season progresses, I start to experiment with different recipes for rhubarb, although Rhubarb Crumble is often on the menu. Here are some of the other rhubarb recipes you might like to try:
If you are looking for more rhubarb desserts, check out these 30 Delicious Rhubarb Desserts Recipes.
More Crumble Recipes
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Classic Rhubarb Crumble
Ingredients
- 350 grams (3½ cups) rhubarb
- 60 grams (¼ cups) granulated sugar
- 50 grams (⅓ cups) plain flour
- 50 grams (3½ tbsp) butter or spread
- 50 grams (⅓ cups) rolled oats
- 40 grams (3 tbsp) soft brown sugar or Demerara sugar
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 180 C
- Wash the rhubarb and cut into 3 cm lengths, put into an oven proof baking dish. with the granulated sugar.
- Put the flour and the butter or spread into a bowl, and rub the fat into the flour until it resembles breadcrumbs, stir in the rolled oats and soft brown sugar.
- Cover the fruit with the crumble mixture.
- Bake in the oven for about 45 minutes until the fruit is bubbling and the crumble is golden brown.
I’m a big fan of rhubarb crumble and I’ve been making a lot lately with last year’s crop in the freezer. I’ve taken to adding some stem ginger too, for a little kick!
Yes, I often put ginger into my crumble too ☺️
Such a classic dessert. This brings back so many happy memories, as my man would make it every Sunday.
That’s a great memory to have ☺️
This is the nicest rhubarb crumble I’ve used. Absolutely delicious ?
Thank you, Linda. It’s great to hear that you liked the Rhubarb Crumble, it’s certainly one of our favourites.
I have to admit I’ve never even baked with rhubarb! A childhood of being forced (I probably wasn’t forced but that’s how I’ve interpreted it) to eat rhubarb with hardly any sugar has frightened me off. I must admit I’m actually quite keen to start experimenting with it now though (now I have power over the sugar quantity). I have pinned your recipe as it seems a good place to start. Feel free to join in with #BakeoftheWeek with your delicious recipe too x
What a sorry tale, Helen. We didn’t have any rhubarb in our garden at home, so it 2as always a treat when a friends gave some to my Mum, who wasn’t sparing with the sugar. I’ll pop over and join bake of the week ☺️
such a classic dessert. it is one of my Mum’s favourites. yours looks so yummy . thank you for sharing with #Bakeoftheweek x
Thanks, Jenny
We just signed up for an allotment, and we have a rhubarb plant on it! I can’t wait to try this recipe, it will be a welcome treat.
I love rhubarb crumble. It’s my favourite. With custard of course! Shared!
Thanks, Jac. Can’t beat a Rhubarb Crumble and custard.
This looks delicious, I love rhubarb crumble!
Thank you, can’t wait for the rhubarb season
You can’t bet a good rhubarb crumble, it’s so comforting. I particularly like the oats in the topping, they add a great texture.
Thank you, yes the oats do add a nice taste and texture.
I love a rhubarb crumble and it’s the first thing I make when rhubarb comes into season. A great post with really simple instructions too.
Me too! My garden rhubarb is just peeping through but it won’t be long.
I love rhubarb crumble and your oaty topping looks just perfect!
It’s such a great comfort food treat.
You absolutely can’t beat a great crumble and this really does looks like a great crumble!
Can’t wait for my rhubarb to be ready so I can indulge in some crumble!
This looks like the ultimate cosy comfort food!
It really is!