Classic Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Proves Made-From-Scratch Makes Everything Better

It wasn’t until I was in college that I had actually heard of rhubarb.

Rhubarb was just one of those ingredients we didn’t use in our home. We were much more of a cherry and apple pie kind of family.

So, when my friend took me to her grandmother’s house, I was intrigued by the bright pink and reddish stalks sitting out on the kitchen counter.

The first time I indulged in a rhubarb recipe was my friend’s grandmother’s rhubarb crumble. And upon the first taste, I was completely taken aback. It was tart. It was tangy. It was delicious!

This was a completely unique taste sensation, and when enhanced with a bit of sugar and a crunchy crumble topping, the flavor of it really shone through.

Right then and there, I was addicted.

Ever since then, when spring rolls around, I feel like a giddy schoolgirl who has just finished the last day of classes before summer break. To me, not only does rhubarb offer incredible flavor to incorporate in a plethora of recipes, it’s also the mark of warmer weather to come.

Of course, there’s nothing more classic than pie, and that’s exactly how you should use this stalky vegetable when it comes into season.

But… Is It a Fruit or a Vegetable?

Yes, it is technically vegetable. This is one of those weird realities, like the fact that tomatoes are technically a fruit.

However, we tend to think of rhubarb as a fruit as it’s used in cooking and baking. We traditionally pair it with other fruits, such as the fresh strawberries used in this delicious recipe. Sweeter components help to balance its slightly sour taste.

A lot like celery in appearance with a vibrant pink hue, it’s not very tasty raw. Well, I don’t think so, at least. It’s really sour, but apparently some people like to just peel off some of the outer strings and go for it, on its own or dipped in sugar.

If you’re new to the wonders of rhubarb (or you’re not a fan of extreme tartness), keep in mind that you probably want to roast, bake, or cook it over the stove in a saucepan before you enjoy it.

Please remember that the leaves should not be eaten. They contain oxalic acid, which is toxic. Fortunately, the leaves do serve an ornamental purpose in the garden (they look lovely!) and they can be added to compost or mulch. To learn more about growing your own rhubarb, visit our sister site, Gardener’s Path.

The Perfect Fruit Pie

To be honest, crafting this delicious dessert is about two things – the balance of flavors in the filling, and the perfect crust.

The combination of rhubarb and strawberry in the filling of this pie makes for a sweet, tangy flavor explosion that just screams spring (or summer)! You won’t believe how juicy and melt-in-your-mouth fantastic the filling is.

Be sure to serve slices warm, to really maximize the flavor experience.

Paying close attention to the pastry is also important, because you need a crust that will hold the filling together without becoming a sopping mess. The easy crust that’s used in this recipe is a perfect baking standby to keep in your back pocket not only for this particular dessert, but for any pie you make this year.

The crust holds the juicy, fruity filling without cracking or getting too soggy on the bottom. Plus, the dough holds together well as you work with it, making it ideal for creating that gorgeous lattice top that you see pictured here.

Instead of heading to the bakery section at your neighborhood supermarket, take the time to put together a dessert that will really make an impact… even if you’re just going to hoard the entire thing for yourself. It’ll be our little secret if you do!

Are you looking for more tasty rhubarb recipes? Then check out these tasty options:

• Tangy Lemon Rhubarb Spelt Cake
• Rhubarb Swirl Ice Cream
• Big-Crumb Rhubarb Coffee Cake

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Cooking By the Numbers…

Step 1 – Chop, Slice, and Measure

Rinse the rhubarb stalks and pat dry with paper towels. Using a sturdy cutting board and a sharp knife, chop into small pieces.

Rinse the strawberries clean in a colander, pat dry, and remove the tops.

Juice a fresh lemon to get the tablespoon of lemon juice needed for the recipe.

Measure out the remaining ingredients so they will be ready when you need them.

Step 2 – Prepare the Crust

Combine the flour, salt, and butter for the pie dough in a large bowl. It’s important to use chilled butter here, because you don’t want it to melt while you’re working with the pastry.

Use a pastry cutter to cut the butter into the mixture until it is crumbly in appearance. You can also use two knives to cut in the butter if you do not have a pastry cutter.

Add water 1 tablespoon at a time, and fluff with a fork, forming larger clumps in the flour and butter mixture. I like to use ice water here, as an extra safeguard against accidentally heating up the butter.

Continue adding and gently mixing, then pressing together with your hands, until the dough forms into a ball. Divide evenly in two, and shape gently into balls, or flatten to shape into two discs. Don’t overwork the dough.

If you’ll be using the dough right away, you can just set it aside until you’re ready for it. If you’re planning to prepare the rest of the recipe later, or if your kitchen is particularly warm, wrap in plastic and put in the refrigerator.

Step 4 – Roll Out the Dough

Roll out one of the dough discs on a lightly floured surface. Make sure the dough is big enough to line the bottom and sides of your pie pan. I used a 9-inch ceramic deep dish pan to make this pie.

Dust your rolling pin and work surface lightly with flour so the crust doesn’t stick, and add more only as needed so the dough doesn’t dry out.

Some pastry chefs like to use a marble rolling pin or a marble slab when they’re making buttery pastries, providing a cool surface to prepare your crust. But working on a clean countertop and using the wooden rolling pin that was passed down from your grandmother, or the newfangled silicone one that you got a few weeks ago, are also fine options!

Don’t have a favorite rolling pin yet? Check out our review of what’s out there that you might like to add to your collection of kitchen gear.

Step 5 – Assemble

Line the pie pan with the rolled out dough, working quickly and carefully to avoid tearing it. One tried-and-true technique is to loosely roll it onto a floured rolling pin, then transfer it over to the pan and unroll.

It’s alright to have a little bit of excess hanging over the edge of the pan, since you’ll need something to pinch together with the lattice strips, and you can trim off any excess with a paring knife.

Add the filling, and spread it a bit with a spatula if you need to redistribute any of the fruit or even it out. It’s not important to worry about this too much – the filling will settle as it bakes.

Step 6 – Decorate

Roll out the remaining dough on a lightly floured surface. Again, make sure the dough is wide enough to fully cover the top of the pie.

Using a sharp knife or a pizza roller, cut the dough into 1-inch-wide strips.

Next, craft a lattice top by weaving together the strips, creating your top crust.

Not sure how to get it to look just right, or you’re in need of a bit of a refresher? Check out our article on perfecting your pie game to get that gorgeous lattice look, plus more tips to demystify the daunting crust.

When all of your top strips are in place, crimp the edges by pinching with your fingers to make sure the crust stays together. Dunking your fingers in a little bit of water first can help to make the dough stick.

Beat an egg, and use a pastry brush to coat your crust with a light egg wash. Sprinkle the pastry with sugar if you like, for a bit of added crunch.

I prefer to use regular granulated sugar, but you could use chunkier demerara if you like, for even more of a textural boost and added sweetness.

Step 7 – Bake

Place your creation in the oven and bake for 15 minutes.

Fresh fruit pies tend to bubble while they bake, and these bubbles can turn into drips that won’t hesitate to burn on the bottom of your oven.

If you’re not in the mood to clean your oven today, here’s an easy trick:

I like to put my pie plate on top of a baking sheet lined with foil before I put it in the oven. If your oven has two racks, you can put foil or a pan below the middle rack instead.

Some bakers say this can affect the heat distribution in your oven (and the total required bake time). But I say it’s worth it to keep your eye on your pie for a few extra minutes if necessary, rather than making a mess!

Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F, and bake for 45 more minutes.

Step 8 – Rest Before Serving

The pie is done baking when the filling has thickened and the crust is golden brown. Looks amazing, doesn’t it?

After you take it out of the oven, let the pie rest on a wire cooling rack for 20 minutes before serving. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or freshly whipped cream. Or maybe with a scoop of tart and creamy rhubarb buttermilk sherbet!

Homemade Truly Makes a Difference

We all know that you can buy a pie crust in the freezer section of your favorite grocery store, or simply head to the bakery section to buy a ready-made pie. But it’s the homemade ones that really stand out from the crowd when you eat them, and in your memories as well.

Making a pie from scratch can be a bit of work, but honestly, the effort you put into it is always worth it.

Thankfully, just like our easy blueberry version or chocolate blueberry option, this pie recipe isn’t particularly labor intensive. You’ll spend more time waiting for it to bake than actively putting it together, which means more time for relaxing and doing other things while it bakes in the oven.

Everyone notices the difference of a homemade pie the moment they take their first bite. From the perfect firm pastry crust to a well-balanced filling, a gorgeous lattice top to the love that you bake into it, you will always get rave reviews when you make a pie from scratch.

So, what are you waiting for? Celebrate the season with this incredible strawberry rhubarb combination before rhubarb is no longer available at the farmers market or in the produce section.