A lovely, seasonal Roasted Rhubarb Compote recipe from Dorie Greenspan is the perfect topping for a big scoop of vanilla ice cream.

This Rhubarb Sauce is a seasonal spring or summer dessert topping. With just two ingredients, it’s a breeze to prepare!

Roasted Rhubarb over a scoops of vanilla ice cream

Why You’ll Love Roasted Rhubarb

  • Made with only 2 ingredients, it’s super easy to make!
  • If you’re a rhubarb fan, this is another delicious way to enjoy it.
  • It’s delicious over vanilla ice cream, but also anywhere you’d use a fruit sauce like parfaits or with your morning yogurt.

I made rhubarb muffins earlier this spring from my measly crop, so I was shocked to discover a few remaining stalks in the garden. Granted, they were thin as pencils and nowhere near the pound called for in Dorie’s recipe, but I was pleased to have some of my own rhubarb to contribute to this dish. Shopping at Fresh Market, I checked the produce department for fresh rhubarb, but there wasn’t any. I was pleasantly surprised to find a stash in their frozen food aisle. Whew.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Compote?

A compote is a “chilled dish of fresh or dried fruit that has been slowly cooked in a sugar syrup,” according to the Food Lover’s Companion. Though this rhubarb sauce was roasted, it was still cooked in a sugar syrup that formed while in the oven.

How Can You Use Rhubarb Sauce?

It’s a delicious topping for ice cream, and yogurt and would be delicious in a fruit parfait. It can be served under or on top of a slice of cake or with rice pudding.

How Long Can You Keep Rhubarb Compote?

It will keep well in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Rhubarb compote in a glass canning jar with a red handle spoon

How to Make Rhubarb Sauce

This was one simple recipe. Two ingredients and mostly hands-off cooking time in the oven.

  1. Take one pound of rhubarb and slice it into 1-1½-inch pieces. You can also use frozen rhubarb.
  2. Coat the rhubarb with a ½ cup sugar to offset the tart flavor, and sprinkle with orange or lemon zest if desired.
  3. Let rest for 5 minutes.
  4. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees, and roast covered for 15 minutes. Uncover, stir and continue roasting till tender and the sugar is dissolved–about 5 more minutes. 
  5. That’s it. I adore rhubarb, so it’s no surprise I was a fan of this sauce, but I’d actually enjoy it even more without the hint of orange. It was a wonderful topping on vanilla bean ice cream. And once again, I didn’t have to share it with anyone!
  6. Serve over ice cream, vanilla yogurt, and more.
Process shots of making rhubarb compote
Rhubarb & Sugar – Rhubarb Tossed with Sugar – Roasted Rhubarb – Rhubarb Sauce

More Ice Cream and Dessert Toppings:

Roasted Rhubarb

Image of our dog, Lambeau, sunning herself in front of a bowl of ice cream with rhubarb sauce, circa 2011.

Rhubarb compote on vanilla ice cream in a white bowl

Roasted Rhubarb Compote

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Additional Time 10 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Yield 4 servings

A lovely, sweet tart rhubarb sauce that only requires two ingredients!

Ingredients

  • 1 pound washed and trimmed fresh rhubarb
  • ½ cup sugar
  • Zest of half an orange, optional

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°.
  2. Cut the rhubarb into 1-1 ½-inch pieces.
  3. Place the rhubarb in a pie plate.
  4. Sprinkle with sugar (and zest if using) and toss to combine. Let rest for 5 minutes.
  5. Cover the dish with foil and roast for 15 minutes.
  6. After 15 minutes, check to see if the sugar has melted and the rhubarb is tender. If not cook for another 5 minutes or until the syrup is bubbling.
  7. Let cool then use to top ice cream or yogurt.

Notes

I've made it with and without the orange zest and prefer it without. This compote can also be made with frozen rhubarb.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 129Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 5mgCarbohydrates: 32gFiber: 2gSugar: 28gProtein: 1g

Thatskinnychickcanbake.com occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although thatskinnychickcanbake.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased can change the nutritional information in any given recipe. Also, many recipes on thatskinnychickcanbake.com recommend toppings, which may or may not be listed as optional and nutritional information for these added toppings is not listed. Other factors may change the nutritional information such as when the salt amount is listed “to taste,” it is not calculated into the recipe as the amount will vary. Also, different online calculators can provide different results. To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in any given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information obtained is accurate.

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