Rhubarb is a glorious thing: easy to grow, high in vitamin C, silken in texture and, when paired with a little sugar, delicious. Technically a vegetable, cousin to the sorrel, it’s the first ripe fruit-like plant of the season. As for what to do with it, no preparation beats rhubarb pie in my view, plain or paired with strawberries. But since the berries aren’t yet in season, let’s stick with an all-rhubarb pie scented with a bit of orange. These bright flavors and zingy acidity play so well off a buttery crust. Here’s how to make rhubarb pie with sweet-tart filling and flaky crust.
Just want the recipe? Head on over to the Deep Dish Rhubarb Pie Recipe.How to Make Rhubarb Pie | A Favorite Early Spring Dessert Photo Credit : Amy Traverso
HOW TO MAKE RHUBARB PIE
All great pie starts with a great crust. I’ve developed mine over many years and prefer it to all others. For step-by-step instructions on making a double pie crust, just click on How to Make Easy Pie Crust. Then visit our guide to How to Roll out Pie Crust. Roll out the bottom crust to an 1/8-inch thickness and transfer it to a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate. Trim the dough 1/2-inch beyond the rim of the pan and set aside.
Now let’s get back to the rhubarb. You want about 1 1/4 pounds. Red-stalked varieties are prettiest, but green is fine, too.
Rhubarb leaves are toxic, so be sure to trim those off. The stalks are the irresistible part. Photo Credit : Amy Traverso
Trim off the ends and cut the stalks crosswise into 1-inch lengths.
When cutting rhubarb for pies, anywhere between 3/4-inch and 1 1/4-inch will do. Photo Credit : Amy Traverso
No need to get out a ruler: Anywhere between 3/4-inch and 1 1/4-inch lengths will do.
Now whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, and table salt in a small bowl.
Bonus points for matching bowls! Photo Credit : Amy Traverso
Add the dry ingredients to the rhubarb, along with 2 teaspoons of orange zest and the juice of half an orange.
Orange zest and juice gives this rhubarb pie an extra special flavor. Photo Credit : Amy Traverso
Stir the filling together until the rhubarb is evenly coated.
Ready for the pie crust. Photo Credit : Amy Traverso
Lay the top crust of your pie over the filling, trimming any excess dough to line up with the bottom crust. Cut several vent holes in the top. Fold the bottom crust up over the top, rolling to tuck everything neatly under. Then crimp in your favorite style.
I use the handle of a wooden spoon to crimp the dough. Just press it in at an angle every inch or so. Photo Credit : Amy Traverso
Brush the dough with cream and sprinkle with sugar. Bake until crust is golden brown and filling is thick and bubbly.
The perfect Deep Dish Rhubarb Pie! Photo Credit : Amy Traverso
You can serve it with vanilla or ginger ice cream, if you like, but I think it’s perfect served plain, when it’s still the slightest bit warm.
Are you a fan of rhubarb pie?
Food Editor Amy Traverso oversees the Yankee Magazine Food department and contributes to NewEngland.com. Amy's book, The Apple Lover's Cookbook (W.W. Norton), won an International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) cookbook award for the category American.
