Classic Rhubarb Pie
This Classic Rhubarb Pie with a Lattice Crust is a spectacular taste of summer that’s been popular for generations! With a double crust and no custard, it’s just plain delicious!
Childhood memories come pouring back with each tasty bite of this homemade Rhubarb Pie Recipe. I grew up with a big rhubarb patch in our backyard. We’d be thrilled when my mom would surprise us with a pie. The simple filling highlights the true flavors of this fabulous spring vegetable!
Why You Should Make this Rhubarb Pie
- If you’re lucky enough to have access to fresh rhubarb, a pie is a perfect way to showcase this tart vegetable that’s treated like a fruit.
- It’s truly a taste of summer!
- There is nothing that can compare to the delightful balance of sweet and tart as well as a rhubarb pie!
More Rhubarb Inspiration
Rhubarb bread is definitely a fond memory, and I adore Rhubarb Muffins, too. Dorie Greenspan’s Rhubarb Upside-Down Cakes are darned irresistible, too. How about some Rhubarb Sauce over vanilla ice cream? Then there’s this tempting Rhubarb Crisp that I’ve been eyeing as well!
But one of my favorite memories was when she’d bake up a classic rhubarb pie. Flavored with just sugar and a touch of butter, it was pure rhubarb ecstasy! No custard to muddy up the sheer gloriousness of this summer fruit!
How to Make a Lattice Topping
If I’m using a good pastry recipe, a lattice topping is a fun twist for the top crust. Built-in air vents and a gorgeous presentation. I brush the lattice with some heavy cream and sprinkle with coarse sugar for a beautiful finish for this classic rhubarb pie.
I start by laying a strip of crust down the center, then a second strip perpendicular, crossing in the center. I continue to add strips in each direction, folding up and down those strips in their path allowing me to weave a lattice.
One of my dear friends commented with her first bite, “This is definitely not Pillsbury.” Though store-bought crust is wonderful in a pinch, there is nothing better than buttery, flaky homemade pie crust.
I’ve referenced Simply Recipes’ post on How to Make a Lattice Crust in the past as the photos demonstrate the technique much better than I could explain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Rhubarb is officially classified as a vegetable as it is the stem of the rhubarb plant. Like celery stalks, stems are vegetables. As a vegetable, rhubarb is far from sweet so more sugar is needed than in the average pie or you’d be puckering with every bite.
But we treat these rhubarb stems, which range from green to red in color, as a fruit as it’s used in recipes for pies, tarts, cakes, muffins, and even ice cream toppings. And please note that only the stems are edible as the rest of the plant is poisonous. They contain oxalic acid and other toxic substances. I got a lot of grief when I posted my rhubarb muffins with some of the stems and leaves in the background. Mind you, I wasn’t suggesting you eat them raw or cooked!
Rhubarb cooked by itself is very tart, like a sour green apple. But balancing the tartness with the perfect amount of sugar makes rhubarb a favorite ingredient for spring and summer desserts.
It’s not necessary, but if you feel your stalks are stringy or tough as you cut them, you can take a knife or vegetable peeler to remove some of the skin and strings. Preparing rhubarb for pie mainly consists of washing it and chopping.
Rhubarb and other fruit-only pies are fine to store at room temperature for up to 2 days. Longer than that, place your pie in the refrigerator for up to 3 more days. You may want to gently warm up a slice in the microwave to get the chill off before eating.
If your rhubarb pie filling contains custard, it must be refrigerated to avoid bacteria from growing due to the perishable nature of custard. The pie can also be frozen for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator.
Yes. Only pull (don’t cut) a few stalks from each plant. Removing all stalks will leave the plant without the ability to get energy from the sun to prepare for next year’s crop. And make sure to remove the toxic leaves before slicing the rhubarb.
Tips for Making a Rhubarb Pie
- If you’re worried about a soggy crust, here’s a quick trick. Whip together an egg and 1 teaspoon of water to make an egg wash. Brush over the bottom crust before adding the filling. It will add a barrier as it cooks.
- Leftover egg wash can be painted on the lattice crust to assist with browning. Plus, you can sprinkle with coarse sugar to give the top some sparkle since the wash makes the lattice sticky.
- Place a rimmed baking sheet in the oven as it preheats. Place the pie on the baking sheet to catch any juices that bubble out of the pie.
- The hot baking sheet will also help set the bottom crust by providing direct heat.
- If you’re not sure if your pie is done, look for pink juices to be bubbling from the openings in the lattice.
- Cool the pie for at least 3 hours before slicing. This will allow the filling and juices to set up.
- Frozen rhubarb can be used, just defrost first.
Helpful Tools:
- Pie Plate (glass) (all affiliate links)
- Pie Plate (ceramic)
- French Rolling Pin
More Incredible Summer Fruit Pies:
- Strawberry Cream Pie
- Freeze and Bake Blueberry Pie
- Blueberry Peach Custard Pie
- Peach Crumb Pie
- Simple Strawberry Pie
- Plus if you’re looking for a pie crust with butter and shortening, check out this terrific Pie Crust Recipe. And my Rhubarb Bars are phenomenal, too!
- Pie Recipes
- Dessert Recipes
Reader Testimonial:
It came out perfect! It was hard to wait for it to set but necessary. I used the tip on egg washing the bottom crust and loved how it came out! This recipe is a keeper!
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This recipe was first shared in August, 2016. Text was updated in 2021.
Classic Rhubarb Pie
A classic rhubarb pie from my childhood topped with a beautiful, woven lattice crust.
Ingredients
- 6-8 tablespoons flour
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 tablespoon butter, cut into pieces
- 4 cups chopped rhubarb
- 1 double crust pie crust recipe* (or store bought)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450º.
- Mix together the flour and sugar in a large bowl. Add rhubarb and toss to combine.
- Roll out your bottom crust and place in a pie plate. Add the rhubarb to the pie plate and dot with butter. Roll out the top crust and either cut strips to weave or top with the whole sheet of dough.
- Trim edges and crimp the two crusts together. Cut some air vents in the top of the crust if you're not making a lattice top.
- Place pie on a baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes.
- Reduce heat to 350º and bake for 30-50 more minutes OR until the filling is bubbling in the middle. Cover edges with foil if the crust is browning too quickly during the baking.
Notes
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1 sliceAmount Per Serving: Calories: 345Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 104mgCarbohydrates: 70gFiber: 2gSugar: 51gProtein: 3g
57 Comments on “Classic Rhubarb Pie”
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I am really up for rhubarb pie, Liz. Thanks for the encouragement. We also had a patch when I grew up in Manchester. Heck, it was in every alley. I had a huge patch in our garden in Aspen. So, I was so spoiled. It’s hard to find. Sometimes Whole Foods has a few stalks.
As a kid, I didn’t like rhubarb, but I love it now. This is the prettiest tart ever.
Definitely a classic and you certainly do it justice. I could easily eat half of your pie in one sitting. Unfortunately, my husband needs strawberries with his rhubarb.
Ooo I’m seeing so many rhubarb ideas lately, and I’m so jealous! It’s not so easy to find fresh rhubarb In our stores, and it doesn’t grow well in our backyard either (Last summer we got our first decent rhubarb I August haha) This pie looks so beautiful and elegant – delicious classic!
Thanks for sharing! What a perfect summer dessert! How far ahead of time can I make it?
I think for the best results, I’d make it the day before or the early in the day you plan to serve it. It will be fine for 3-4 days, but fresher is always best 🙂 Enjoy!
This looks so good! Do you use this crust for any other recipes?
You can use this crust for any other pies that call for a pastry crust! Enjoy!
Can you use frozen rhubarb if fresh rhubarb is not readily available?
Hi, Taylor,
Yes, using frozen rhubarb will work well. Add the rhubarb frozen, removing any ice crystals first. Add the larger amount of flour, and maybe even an extra tablespoon as frozen fruit tends to give off some extra juice as it cooks. Hope you enjoy; this is one of my favorite pies 🙂
Such a delicious pie! I make this every summer!
What wonderful childhood memories behind this recipe! And the pie is out of this world amazing!!
My favorite way to use rhubarb! Tastes incredible.
Just made this with the first rhubarb of the year. The lattice crust and the sweet and sour rhubarb were a hit.
So good!