Rhubarb season is short, sweet, and absolutely worth celebrating. If you’ve ever found yourself with a bunch of ruby-red stalks and wondered what to do with them beyond the usual pie, this post is for you. These are my 5 best rhubarb recipes, each one tested, perfected, and loved in my kitchen.
Whether you’re baking for a spring gathering or just want a tart-sweet treat on a cozy weekend, these rhubarb desserts highlight just how versatile this plant can be. From crisps to custards and cakes that melt in your mouth, each recipe here is a flavor-packed way to honor the season.
Rhubarb’s tartness pairs beautifully with strawberries, vanilla, and even buttery cake mixes. I’ve chosen a variety of recipes, some classic, some unexpected—but all guaranteed to get you excited about baking with rhubarb.
Let’s dive in.
Table of contents
1. Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp
This Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp is what spring dreams are made of. It’s that golden, buttery oat topping that does it for me, crispy, crumbly, and the perfect contrast to the bubbling fruit filling underneath. The combination of juicy strawberries and tart rhubarb is timeless. However, what really makes this crisp irresistible is how fast it comes together. No doughs to roll or pie crusts to worry about, just fresh fruit, a little sugar, and a topping that’s ready in minutes.
2. Strawberry Rhubarb Cake
Think coffee cake meets cobbler, and you’ve got this Strawberry Rhubarb Cake. One of my favorite Rhubarb recipes, it’s tender, moist, and just the right amount of sweet, with pockets of warm strawberry and tangy rhubarb in every bite. The cake base is simple and soft. You can enjoy it with your morning tea or serve it warm with ice cream for dessert. Bonus: It makes your kitchen smell like a bakery in springtime.
3. Rhubarb Dump Cake
If you’ve never made a dump cake before, prepare to fall in love with simplicity. This Rhubarb Dump Cake is one of those back-pocket recipes you’ll come back to when you need a quick dessert with wow factor. It starts with chopped rhubarb and sugar, then a layer of boxed cake mix, and a generous pour of melted butter. That’s it. No mixing bowls, no stress, just a bubbling, golden dessert that tastes like you spent hours making it.
4. Rhubarb Custard Pie
Rhubarb Custard Pie is the old-fashioned dessert that deserves a permanent spot on your spring table. It’s silky, rich, and beautifully balanced between tart and sweet. The rhubarb bakes down into tender bites that melt into a creamy vanilla custard, all encased in a flaky pie crust. If you love pies that are a little bit different and full of comforting textures, this one’s for you.
5. Rhubarb Custard Bars
These Rhubarb Custard Bars are like pie’s easier, sliceable cousin. A buttery shortbread-style crust forms the base, followed by a smooth custard packed with rhubarb flavor. Once cooled and chilled, they cut beautifully into clean squares perfect for potlucks, brunch tables, or just a treat tucked into your fridge for snacking. They’re pretty in pink, surprisingly elegant, and totally addictive.
The Tart Treat You Didn’t Know You Needed
There’s something undeniably special about baking with rhubarb. Its bright, tart flavor transforms into pure magic once it meets sugar and heat. These rhubarb recipes are a celebration of spring’s most underrated ingredient, offering a little something for everyone, from cozy crisps and nostalgic custard pies to easy dump cakes and elegant bars.
Whether you’re new to rhubarb or looking to expand your dessert rotation, these are the kind of rhubarb recipes that turn seasonal produce into something truly memorable. I hope this list inspires you to bake, share, and savor the sweet-tart beauty of rhubarb all season long.
Grab some fresh rhubarb and treat yourself to one (or all!) of these delicious bakes.
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