A rhubarb crumble never demands too much of you but always gives plenty back. Crumbles are wonderfully simple at heart, with fruit baked underneath a buttery topping that turns crisp and golden in the oven. It is that contrast between the tender filling and the crunchy top that makes them such a comforting and delicious treat. And when rhubarb gets involved, it gets even better. Its sharp, tangy flavour softens as it bakes, turning into a sweet-tart filling that tastes wonderful with the crisp topping.
Below, we have rounded up our three favourite rhubarb crumble recipes for you to try. They are easy to make and perfect when you are craving something sweet and scrumptious or need a dessert to share with friends and family without putting in too much time or effort. And because we clearly have a bit of a weakness for anything with a crisp, crumbly topping, you will also find a couple of crumble-topped desserts and treats to explore alongside them.
Rhubarb crumble
Rhubarb crumble is a timeless recipe with a rich, buttery crumb and a thick cinnamon-spiced rhubarb filling. Once baked, soft pink bubbles of juicy rhubarb peak through the oaty crumb, waiting to be adorned with vanilla custard. Taking less than an hour from kitchen to table, this crumble is ideal for a tangy, refreshing after-dinner treat. We recommend letting it rest briefly after baking so the filling can settle before serving.
Apple and rhubarb crumble
Ramp up summery flavours with our  apple and rhubarb crumble. Sweet apple balances the tartness of rhubarb, uniting syrupy juices as the crumble slowly bakes. Almonds, oats, and butter create a lusciously indulgent crumble topping, echoing the sweetness of the almonds with the delicate notes of roasted nuts. You can serve it with a generous dollop of crème fraiche, Greek yoghurt, or plain skyr.
Rhubarb and strawberry crumble
This rhubarb and strawberry crumble is an easy recipe that brings together tart rhubarb, sweet strawberries, and a ginger-spiced filling beneath a golden oat topping. As the rhubarb and strawberries bake, they soften into a juicy, jammy layer, while the crumble turns crisp and buttery on top. It does not take a lot of effort to make, but it tastes like a proper treat, especially served warm with vanilla custard.
More ways to enjoy a crumble
The traditional buttery crumble topping need not be used only for crumble desserts. Many other sweet treats benefit from a crunchy topping, adding a crisp finish and a little extra texture to each bite.
The layers in the
make for a decadent post-dinner delight. Blissfully rich with notes of vanilla, strawberry, and rhubarb, every mouthful of this dessert is a fruity celebration of our favourite spring produce. The cake is packed with flavour, complemented by the buttery crumble topping.
Whether you are searching for an alternative birthday cake, a fruity dessert for a dinner party, or simply something special for loved ones, this
will more than suffice. Abundant in flavour and gorgeous when lightly golden from the oven, this recipe deliciously highlights rhubarb, pairing its tartness with notes of lemon, strawberry skyr, and vanilla.
offers a side of nostalgia with every slice, putting smiles on faces all around the table. The vanilla cake is the base of the dessert, topped with silky custard and a crisp crumble topping.
These recipes show that rhubarb is just as at home in cakes and traybakes as it is in a classic crumble. And once you see how many delicious ways it can be used, it becomes even easier to understand why rhubarb is such a satisfying ingredient to bake and cook with.
Learn how to cook and preserve rhubarb
With its vibrant stalks and fresh, tangy flavour, rhubarb is a wonderful ingredient to explore in the kitchen. Learning how to cook with rhubarb will help you explore this beautiful plant with confidence across cakes, crumbles, meringues, puddings, and more.
Rhubarb is perfect for jams and compotes, developing a deep, fruity flavour and spreadable texture. Preserving rhubarb is a great way to extend its life, too. So, the next time you find yourself with endless rhubarb stalks, you will know what to do.
Continue exploring more delicious rhubarb recipes
Once you have grown to enjoy cooking with rhubarb, you will quickly realise how well it can fit into sweet desserts, treats, and preserves. With a little understanding in the kitchen, rhubarb can be transformed from sour to sweet, pairing perfectly with other fruits, warm spices, and buttery pastries in rhubarb cakes, tarts, and pies. Starting with a few easy and simple rhubarb recipes is a lovely way to get a feel for the ingredient before moving on.
The classic sweetness of cakes is well-balanced with sharp rhubarb. It gets a complete re-work in our scrumptious recipes for rhubarb almond cake, rhubarb meringue cake, and rhubarb cake. Leaving the rhubarb fairly chunky across these cakes means every slice will offer a sweet and tangy taste.
