Old-fashioned strawberry-rhubarb crisp is a delightful dessert that has stood the test of time. The combination of sweet strawberries and tart rhubarb creates a symphony of flavors that is hard to resist. This classic dessert, with its juicy fruit filling and crispy oat topping, is a perfect way to celebrate the summer season. In this article, we will explore the art of making an old-fashioned strawberry-rhubarb crisp from scratch, including understanding the ingredients, preparing the fruit filling, creating the crispy topping, and baking it to perfection.
To create the perfect old-fashioned strawberry-rhubarb crisp, it’s essential to understand the key ingredients involved. Let’s take a closer look at strawberries and rhubarb, which form the foundation of this delectable dessert.
| Active Time: 30 mins | Total Time: 2 hrs | Yield: 6 servings |
Ingredients
Filling
- 2 pounds rhubarb stalks, sliced 1/2-inch thick
- 1 1/4 cups sugar, divided
- 1 pound strawberries, hulled and quartered
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Topping
- 1 stick (4 ounces) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/4 cups quick-cooking rolled oats
- 3 tablespoons canola oil
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Directions
- Gather the ingredients.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. In a bowl, toss the rhubarb with 3/4 cup of the sugar and let stand for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. In another bowl, toss the strawberries with the remaining 1/2 cup sugar and let stand for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Using a slotted spoon, transfer the rhubarb to the strawberries; discard any rhubarb juice. Add the cornstarch, lemon juice, and vanilla to the fruit and stir well.
- Transfer the mixture to a 9- x 13-inch glass baking dish.
- For the topping, combine all of the ingredients in a medium bowl. Using a pastry blender or your fingers, mix the ingredients together until large crumbs form.
- Sprinkle the topping evenly over the filling and bake for 30 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 325°F and continue baking for about 30 minutes longer, until the fruit filling is bubbling and the topping is nicely browned.
Let the crisp rest for 10 to 20 minutes before serving.
Make ahead
The topping can be refrigerated overnight. Bring to room temperature before using.
Serve with
Vanilla ice cream.
Suggested pairing
Floral, delicately sweet, and sparkling, Moscato d’Asti makes a festive pairing for strawberry-rhubarb desserts.
