Tangy Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp Recipe

Savor Ina Garten’s Sweet & Tangy Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp Recipe

Summer’s sweet bounty bursts with vibrant flavors in this Ina Garten strawberry rhubarb crisp that promises pure comfort.

Ripe, juicy strawberries mingle with tart rhubarb, creating a delightful dance of taste and texture.

The crisp topping adds a golden, buttery crunch that melts in your mouth.

Each spoonful delivers a perfect balance between tangy fruit and rich, crumbly layers.

Seasonal produce takes center stage in this classic dessert that feels both rustic and elegant.

Warm from the oven, this crisp begs to be served with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream.

Grab your baking dish and get ready to savor a slice of summer’s sweetest pleasure.

How to Make Ina Garten Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp at Home

How to Make Ina Garten Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp at Home

Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp

  • Fruit Foundation

Chop rhubarb and strawberries into delightful chunks, releasing their vibrant colors and summer essence. Combine them with orange zest, creating a tangy base that promises delicious complexity.

  • Sweet Transformation

Blend granulated sugar and cornstarch into the fruit mixture, allowing natural juices to meld and create a luscious, glossy texture. Transfer the glistening combination into a welcoming baking dish.

  • Crumbly Topping

Craft a heavenly crumble by gently mixing flour, sugars, oats, and a pinch of salt. Incorporate cold butter using fingertips, creating rustic, uneven clusters that will transform into a golden, crispy masterpiece.

  • Oven Magic

Generously scatter the crumble over the fruit, ensuring every inch is lovingly covered. Slide the dish into a preheated oven, letting heat work its transformative charm until the edges bubble and the top turns a gorgeous golden brown.

  • Serving Delight

Rescue the crisp from the oven and let it rest briefly. Serve warm, crowned with a luxurious scoop of vanilla ice cream, creating a dessert that celebrates seasonal bounty and pure comfort.

Twists & Tips for Ina Garten Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp

  • Select ripe, vibrant strawberries and crisp rhubarb for the most intense flavor profile and natural sweetness.
  • Let the crisp rest for 15-20 minutes after baking to allow the fruit filling to set and become less runny.
  • Freeze butter cubes for 10 minutes before mixing to ensure a perfectly crumbly, flaky streusel topping.
  • Enhance the dessert by adding a pinch of cinnamon, ground ginger, or vanilla extract to the fruit mixture for deeper complexity.
  • Prepare the crisp up to 24 hours in advance, storing unbaked in the refrigerator and baking just before serving for maximum freshness.

Gorgeous Ways to Serve Ina Garten Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp

  • Serve with Creamy Coolness: Top each serving with a generous scoop of rich vanilla ice cream, letting it slowly melt into the warm, golden crisp for a delightful temperature contrast.
  • Create a Rustic Breakfast Twist: Transform leftovers into a morning treat by pairing a slice with Greek yogurt and a drizzle of honey for a decadent breakfast experience.
  • Enhance with Fresh Garnishes: Sprinkle some fresh mint leaves or toasted almond slivers on top to add a pop of color and extra crunch to the dessert.
  • Wine Pairing Delight: Complement the sweet-tart flavors with a chilled glass of Moscato or a light dessert wine that echoes the fruity notes of the crisp.

Storage Smarts for Ina Garten Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp

  • Maximize Freshness: Store the strawberry rhubarb crisp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, maintaining its delightful taste and texture.
  • Freeze for Later: Wrap the cooled crisp tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
  • Reheat with Care: Warm the crisp in a preheated oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes to restore its crispy topping and bring out the vibrant fruit flavors.
  • Portion and Prep: Divide the crisp into individual servings before storing to make quick and easy grab-and-go dessert options throughout the week.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 8

What’s in Ina Garten Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp

For Fruit Mixture:
  • Rhubarb: Tangy stalks that bring a zingy punch and beautiful pink color to the dessert, choose firm and bright red-green stalks without blemishes.
  • Strawberries: Sweet and juicy berries that balance rhubarb's tartness, select plump, deeply red, and fragrant fruits without soft spots.
  • Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps draw out fruit juices, opt for fine, pure white sugar.
  • Orange Zest: Adds a bright, citrusy note that enhances fruit flavors, use fresh organic oranges for best results.
  • Orange Juice: Helps dissolve cornstarch and adds subtle citrus depth, choose freshly squeezed for maximum flavor.
  • Cornstarch: Thickens fruit filling and creates a luscious, glossy texture, ensure it's fresh and lump-free.
For Crisp Topping:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure to the crumble, select unbleached flour for better texture.
  • Brown Sugar: Adds rich caramel undertones and helps create crispy topping, choose dark brown for deeper flavor.
  • Granulated Sugar: Contributes sweetness and helps with browning, use fine-grain sugar.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor, use fine sea salt.
  • Rolled Oats: Creates a hearty, crunchy texture, select old-fashioned rolled oats.
For Finishing:
  • Butter: Binds topping and adds rich flavor, use cold unsalted butter for best results.
  • Vanilla Ice Cream: Provides creamy contrast to warm crisp, choose high-quality vanilla bean ice cream.

The Tools That Make Ina Garten Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp Easy

  • Large bowl: Essential for mixing fruit and creating fruit mixture.
  • 8 × 11-inch baking dish: Perfect for holding fruit and topping.
  • Parchment-lined sheet pan: Catches any potential drips and prevents oven mess.
  • Stand mixer or hands: Used for blending topping ingredients into crumbly texture.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Precise for sugar, flour, and other dry ingredients.
  • Grater: For creating orange zest.
  • Mixing spoon or spatula: Helps combine fruit and topping ingredients.
Print
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Tangy Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp Recipe

Tangy Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp Recipe


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4.8 from 33 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Ina Garten’s strawberry rhubarb crisp blends sweet and tart fruit under a buttery, crumbly topping. Delicious served warm with vanilla ice cream, this classic dessert will transport home cooks to a summer kitchen filled with comforting flavors.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups (0.95 liters) rhubarb, fresh, 1-inch-diced (4 to 5 stalks)
  • 4 cups (0.95 liters) strawberries, fresh, hulled and halved, if large
  • 1¼ cups (250 grams) sugar, granulated, divided
  • ½ cup (110 grams) sugar, light brown, lightly packed
  • tsps orange zest, grated
  • ½ cup (120 milliliters) orange juice, freshly squeezed
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 cup (125 grams) flour, all-purpose
  • 1 cup (90 grams) oatmeal, quick-cooking (not instant), such as McCann’s
  • ½ tsp salt, kosher
  • 12 tbsps (170 grams or sticks) butter, unsalted, cold, diced
  • Vanilla ice cream, for serving

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 180°C / 350°F with rack positioned centrally for uniform heat distribution.
  2. Fruit Preparation: Slice rhubarb into uniform pieces and quarter strawberries, creating a consistent fruit mixture. Combine fruits with granulated sugar and orange zest in a mixing bowl, allowing natural juices to develop.
  3. Thickening Agent: Dissolve cornstarch completely in orange juice, creating a smooth liquid. Pour into fruit mixture, stirring gently to ensure even coating and distribution.
  4. Assembly: Transfer fruit mixture to an 8 × 11-inch / 20 × 28 centimeter baking dish placed on a parchment-lined sheet pan to catch potential overflow.
  5. Crumble Topping: Combine flour, remaining granulated sugar, brown sugar, salt, and rolled oats in a mixing bowl. Incorporate cold, diced butter using a stand mixer or fingertips until forming moist, coarse crumbles.
  6. Topping Application: Distribute crumble evenly over fruit mixture, ensuring complete coverage and creating a textured surface.
  7. Baking: Bake in preheated oven for approximately 1 hour, monitoring for bubbling fruit and golden-brown topping that indicates perfect caramelization.
  8. Serving: Remove from oven and allow crisp to cool slightly, enabling filling to set. Serve warm accompanied by a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Notes

  • Fruit Maceration Magic: Let strawberries and rhubarb sit with sugar to release natural juices and intensify flavors before baking.
  • Cornstarch Technique: Dissolve completely in orange juice to prevent lumps and ensure smooth, glossy fruit filling thickening.
  • Topping Texture Trick: Use cold butter and work it into dry ingredients until you achieve coarse, moist crumbles for the perfect crisp top.
  • Cooling Crucial Step: Allow the crisp to rest briefly after baking so the filling sets and becomes less runny, enhancing overall texture and serving experience.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 23 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 20 g
  • Saturated Fat: 12 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 42 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 50 mg
Sophia Rivera

Sophia Rivera

Recipe Developer & Kitchen Tips Specialist

Expertise

  • Baking and Pastry Arts
  • Seasonal and Local Ingredient Utilization
  • Dessert Menu Planning
  • Culinary Event Coordination

Education

Austin Community College

  • Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Baking and Pastry Arts
  • Focus: Techniques in baking, pastry creation, and dessert presentation.

San Antonio Culinary Institute

  • Program: Diploma in Farm-to-Table Culinary Practices
  • Focus: Emphasis on utilizing locally sourced ingredients and understanding seasonal flavors.

Sophia’s passion for baking began in her family kitchen, where she spent hours experimenting with new recipes. With a background in baking and pastry arts, she loves making desserts that are as visually stunning as they are delicious. 

Sophia is all about using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients to create treats that everyone will enjoy. When she’s not creating mouth-watering desserts, you can find her gardening, making new recipes, or enjoying a relaxing afternoon with her family.

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