British rhubarb season runs from February until May. We have some great dessert ideas to use up your rhubarb, including classic rhubarb pie, spiced crumble and indulgent rhubarb and custard pudding.
If you want some afternoon tea inspiration for rhubarb season, try our delicate rhubarb and custard slice, or pretty pink shortcakes. For early risers, we have low-calorie breakfast rhubarb, and for night owls we’ve created some rhubarb cocktails to try. Whatever the occasion, we have a rhubarb recipe…
Rhubarb, ginger and chilli jam
Give this seasonal rhubarb preserve an aromatic lift with the addition of fiery ginger and punchy chilli. Check out our guide to preserving here.
Flaky rhubarb tart with star anise custard
Put rhubarb at the centre in this pretty afternoon tea idea. Puff pastry makes this tart extra flaky, with sharp rhubarb and a creamy star anise custard.
Rhubarb and ginger cake
Bake our easy ginger traybake recipe with moreish Bonne Maman rhubarb compote, perfect with your afternoon cuppa.
Rhubarb and custard bread and butter pudding
Check out our indulgent, creamy and super moreish rhubarb and custard bread and butter pudding. This recipe is a glorious mash-up of two classic British puds.
Breakfast rhubarb
Yoghurt or porridge served with poached fresh fruit makes a great healthy start to the day. Try poaching rhubarb in honey and orange for a quick breakfast topper. Here are our other low calorie breakfast ideas.
Pink rhubarb shortcakes
American shortcakes are more like scones than biscuits. Usually filled with strawberries and cream these pink rhubarb ones are a great British twist. Looking for more scones recipes? Here you go!
Rhubarb and custard slice
Rhubarb-themed afternoon tea, anyone? We’ve taken a classic flavour combination and given it a modern twist with this recipe for rhubarb and custard slices.
Timperley rhubarb and custard Pavlova
Rhubarb and custard are always a winning combination but as a filling for a pavlova they become a special dinner-party pudding. You can make all the elements of this ahead then just assemble to serve. This one serves 8-10 so is perfect for a crowd.
Spiced rhubarb crumble
A classic rhubarb crumble is the easiest of puddings to make and perfect for making use of seasonal fruit. This winter crumble is filled with sweet, tangy rhubarb and warming spices. Click here for more crumble recipes.
Rhubarb pound cake
This recipe for rhubarb pound cake is guaranteed to please. We’ve hidden white chocolate chips in the middle, too, for an extra treat. Try our fruity cake recipes to make the most out of all of your fruit.
Rhubarb pie
This classic rhubarb pie makes a perfect comforting dessert. The orange zest adds a nice freshness and lifts the flavour. Forced rhubarb is available from January to March. More sweet pies here, folks!
Rhubarb tart with vanilla ice cream
This make-ahead rhubarb tart with vanilla ice cream comes from Angela Hartnett’s Café Murano and makes for a great dinner party or Sunday lunch dessert. The tart rhubarb and slightly bitter almond work really well with the sweet, creamy ice cream.
Rhubarb and amaretti pie
Rhubarb and amaretti is a classic combination and this recipe puts them together into one show-stopping dessert. This is best served at room temperature, so it’s a great make-ahead dinner party pudding.
Rhubarb and ginger fool
Rhubarb and ginger are a delicious combination – try them in this creamy fool. Rhubarb is in season from February until May, but you may be able to find it a couple of months either side.
Rhubarb, pistachio & soured cream cake
If you find yourself stuck for ideas to use rhubarb, this delicious cake with pistachios and soured cream is just the thing.
Rhubarb Bakewell tart
This is a modern twist on a British favourite made using rhubarb. It’s easy to make but looks impressive. We actually have another bakewell tart recipe for you to try, here.
Rhubarb mess with candied rosemary
This is a delicious new twist on the classic Eton mess, made with rhubarb instead of strawberries. Rhubarb partners perfectly with rosemary.
Rhubarb, cinnamon and brown sugar muffins
If you love muffins as much as we do, you’ll always be on the look out for new recipes. This one is a cracker – rhubarb, cinnamon and sugar with a sprinkling of demerara to give them that crunchy topping. Got you thinking about muffins? Here are our best muffins recipes.
Rhubarb and apple chutney
You won’t retain the lovely bright pink colour of the forced rhubarb that’s around at the moment, but you will end up with a delicious tart and slightly sweet chutney that goes brilliantly with cheese, oily fish and roast pork.
Try one of our rhubarb cocktails to make the most of the season…
Rhubarb and rose gin fizz
We’ve given a classic ramos gin fizz an update, swapping the usual orange blossom water for rose water and adding a touch of homemade rhubarb syrup to give it a blush of pink. It’s delicate in flavour and creamy enough to replace dessert, and is bound to impress.
Rhubarb and ginger negroni
This update on the classic negroni using rhubarb and ginger is a great shout for spring. It comes from Black Dice, a 1960s rock ‘n’ roll inspired bar tucked away beneath Moroccan restaurant MOMO in Mayfair. It’s open until 3am, perfect for a nightcap.
