Cherry Rhubarb Crisp

Name: Cherry Rhubarb Crisp
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 3 cups bing cherries (pitted and cut in half); 3 cups rhubarb ((3 large stalks) cut in slices); 1/2 cup brown sugar (not packed); 1 tablespoon cornstarch; 1/2 cup brown sugar (not packed); 2/3 cup flour; 2/3 cup rolled oats (not instant); 6 tablespoons butter (cut into small pieces)

ByElaine Posted onJune 2, 2022March 3, 2020 Updated onMarch 3, 2020

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This easy cherry rhubarb crisp recipe features the perfect combination of sweet, tart, and buttery flavors. Pair with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate summer dessert!

A closer view of the two white plates with the cherry crisp on it and the baking dish of crisp in the background

Young Rhubarbarians

I’ve talked before about the big rhubarb plant in our backyard when I was growing up. I loved that plant. I would wait patiently every year for my grandmother to deem it large enough to pick and cook. In the post I’m referring to, I talk about my folks always warning us NOT to eat the rhubarb leaves, as they are poisonous.

Um, …like, yeah. My sisters and I were prone to running out in the backyard and nibbling any greens we could latch our teeth onto. Weren’t you?

😉

What is the difference between cobblers and crisps?

A cobbler has a crust on the bottom and some batter dropped on top. A crisp doesn’t have a bottom crust, just a loose, crispy layer on top.

To crust or to crisp

My grandmother used to make two different pies with our backyard rhubarb. A delicious rhubarb pie and a delightful strawberry rhubarb. I love both of those pies, but sometimes I just want a simpler dessert. And by simpler, I really mean: Lainey doesn’t make crust.

So, I make a lot of crisps. Like this delicious cherry rhubarb crisp. I love the two flavors together, even more than I love strawberries paired with rhubarb. Why?

Because cherries have a deeper flavor and are sweeter than strawberries, so they complement better the the milder, sour taste of rhubarb.

I have a both cherry and rhubarb recipes on the Dishes Delish blog:

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Helpful tips

Use firm but ripe plump sweet cherries.
Find the best rhubarb you can; farmer’s markets and home gardens are an excellent source.
Use less sugar to sweeten this delicious crisp than you think you need, as cherries are naturally sweet.
Crisps are best served warm (although I’ve savored my share of cold ones) and topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Use rolled oats as instant oats are too delicate.

How to make cherry rhubarb crisp

Pre-step

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step one

Gather the ingredients: cherries and three stalks of rhubarb.

Cherries in a sieve getting ready to be washed, and some rhubarb in the background

Step two

Wash the cherries, pit them with this lovely gadget and cut them in half.

Step three

Wash the stalks of rhubarb and cut them into thinnish slices. Final quantities of each ingredient should measure 3 cups and place the fruit into a large mixing bowl.

Step four

Gather the brown sugar and cornstarch.

Light brown sugar, corn starch, sliced cherries, and rhubarb

Step five

In a large bowl, add brown sugar and corn starch to the fruit and mix until combined and transfer to a large baking dish. (B)

Cherries and rhubarb in the baking dish with the topping ingredients in back

Step six

In a smaller mixing bowl, add flour, oatmeal, and butter and mix with a pastry blender until the topping is crumbly and sprinkle the coarse crumbs on the cherry rhubarb. (C) I lightly press down on the crisp topping.

Step seven

Bake for 30 minutes. The crumble topping should be lightly browned and the fruit juices bubbling.

Step eight

Let the cherry rhubarb crisp rest for 10 minutes before serving it. (D)

Oat mixture on the crisp both cooked and uncooked

It is the longest 10 minutes of my life.

Serve.

two white plates with the crisp on them with the baking dish of crisp in the background

Let’s look at another view!

Overhead shot of the two plates of rhubarb crisp with spoons

So delicious! Christopher and I aren’t the type to put ice cream on our desserts – at least not at home – but feel welcome to dollop ice cream on yours. You have my permission.

I hope you enjoyed this cherry rhubarb crisp recipe!

Other popular fruit recipes

Please let me know whether you prefer cobbler or crisp in the Comments below. And what would you pair with rhubarb? I’d love to know.

And as always, may all your dishes be delish!

If you’ve tried this or any other recipe on the blog, I’d love the hear what you thought about it in the comments below. I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more of my delicious food and delightful cocktails!