This Rhubarb Custard Pie pairs the delectable tartness of rhubarb with a nice creamy custard for the perfect balance of sweetness, all wrapped up in a perfectly-flaky crust. Rhubarb is summer’s favorite dessert flavor and once you try this pie, you’ll agree. Don’t forget to serve it a la mode!
Originally posted June 4, 2014
Secret? What secret? THERE IS NO SECRET.
No really, there’s not anymore. I’ve been planning my mom’s surprise retirement/birthday/anniversary party for months now and while the event itself was amazing, I’m just so glad it’s over so that I don’t have to worry about giving away the surprise anymore.
I have a pretty bad track record. Once I threw a surprise party for Eric and a few hours before the event I said to him, “I have to go to the store to get stuff for your surprise party tonight” and then I caught myself and widened my eyes and slapped my hand over my mouth. He didn’t get it somehow. (??)
Later, our first guests arrived exactly when I asked them to, except he was the one to answer the door because I had yet to send him on his get-out-of-the-house-errand. I had to awkwardly make eye contact with the arrivals and say, oh you guys are just here [30 minutes away from your house] dropping by right? I seriously have no idea how he was still surprised.
My mom, on the other hand, wasn’t surprised in the slightest. No matter how old you get, you just can’t keep secrets from your mom. At least I never could. Oh well, it was an awesome party, if I do say so myself, and bonus! We have enough food leftover to feed the armies of 3 nations.
Me and my 4 siblings were all together for the weekend, which rarely happens since we’re spread across 4 states. We were celebrating her retirement after 20 years of teaching, my parent’s 40th anniversary, and her 60th birthday. That right there made up for any potential ruined-surprise deflation. Pretty hard to stay upset when there is so much awesomeness happening.Â
How to make Rhubarb Custard Pie
My mother-in-law Kris has been talking up this Rhubarb Custard Pie for years. I’d never had it because I hadn’t visited when rhubarb is in season. I just know that it has family-legend-status. I wanted to make it for Eric’s birthday this year, so I asked for the recipe, and she texted me a photo of the recipe in her Betty Crocker cookbook. “It’s basically the same,” she said.
Except that the crust burned, the rhubarb was undercooked, and it was super runny. I asked her about it and she said, “Oh did you cover the crust? Did you beat the eggs well? Did you add tapioca? Did you up the salt?” Um, NO!!! “Oops, forgot to tell you those parts. Guess it’s an excuse to make another pie!”
Honestly though I can’t be mad. The first one was still pretty good, and it made me appreciate the second one–perfection–even more. This it my new favorite pie. No really. It used to be this Strawberry Glace Pie, and that one is still up there, but Rhubarb Custard Pie trumps it now. I am jumping on the family-legend-pie bandwagon because this. is. it my friends.
So what does rhubarb taste like?
Rhubarb is sort of like a red, sour celery. Weird, right? It’s one of the strangest vegetables and is used more often as a fruit would be in dessert dishes. It’s easy to grow and makes a great summer crop to make something sweet with (added sugar included, of course!). I didn’t grow up with rhubarb and until I shared this pie with my mom, she had no idea what rhubarb actually looked like! It took Eric’s family to introduce me to this amazing vegetable… fruit… thing.
Forming the perfect pie crust
I LOVE this pie crust. It’s simple enough. You cut your shortening in to the dry ingredients to the point that it looks like the left. After adding the egg and water and stirring, use your hands (right).
Divide the dough in half and then roll that baby out. (I swear I don’t really have wrist cankles.)
Take one of the halves of dough rolled out on parchment paper and transfer it to the dish. Peel off the paper until it’s rest on the dish.
From there you gently press it into the dish. Trim and form the edges. Don’t worry if you’re edges are not perfectly formed! It will still taste just as good. The most important thing is to not trim it too short so when you put the top layer of crust you can push them together.
Making the Rhubarb Custard
Left is what your eggs should look like after beating the eggs. Right is what it turns into after the flour step.
Don’t forget the tapioca! It’s a great thickener. I used good ol’ Kraft. After the tapioca come the spices and the chopped up rhubarb.
I like to split the rhubarb stalks down the middle the long way before chopping the smaller pieces to go in the custard.
Putting the pie together
After you pour the rhubarb custard mixture into crust you’re ready to add the top. Doesn’t that look beautiful!
As before, us the parchment paper to your advantage as you place it on top.
Seal up those edges unless you want a mess in your oven! It’s a good idea to split the crust with a knife so it can vent the steam produced by the filling while its baking. You can go for something fancy, or not.
My mom gave me this pie crust cover thing a long time ago, but foil will work just fine. It prevents the outer edge from burning.
And voila! You’ve got a beautiful flaky crust, the perfect complement to the sweet filling inside.
More great fruit pies and desserts to try:
Apple Custard Pie with Cinnamon Streusel
No Bake Cherry Cream Cheese Pie
Fresh Blackberry Glac̩ Pie РA delectable fresh fruit pie without a top crust that will impress
Cherry Pie for Fourth of July Obviously you can eat it any time of the year!
Rhubarb Meringue Layers – You’ve gotta keep trying rhubarb recipes!
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Rhubarb Custard Pie
Ingredients
For the crust:*
- ¼ cup water, very cold
- 2 cups flour
- 1 & ½ tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup butter-flavored shortening, + 2 tablespoon
- ½ egg, beaten
For the pie:
- 3 eggs
- 1 & 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons instant tapioca
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup flour, spooned and leveled
- nutmeg, fresh, grated (up to 1/4 teaspoon)
- 4 to 5 cups rhubarb, sliced and chopped 1/2 inch thick
- 2 tablespoons butter, cold, cut into pieces
Instructions
For the crust:
- Measure out 1/4 cup water into a glass measuring cup and stick it in the freezer.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, and salt.
- Use a pastry cutter or fork to cut in the shortening. Cut until it looks like coarse crumbs. Don't overdo it!
- In a small bowl beat one egg. Pour out half (into the sink or into another container, or heck, into a frying pan). You can just eyeball it.
- Add the half beaten egg to the cold water that you put in the freezer. Beat it together, then add it to the shortening mixture. Stir until it is just coming together, then use your hands to knead it once or twice (only to make it come together). Divide the dough in half.
- Generously sprinkle flour onto a sheet of parchment paper. Roll the dough with a rolling pin, using as much flour as you need so that it doesn't stick. Invert the parchment paper onto a 9-inch pie pan and gently peel off the paper. Arrange the pie crust and trim edges as necessary.
- Repeat with the remaining dough, up until the invert step.
For the pie:
- Preheat the oven to 400 F.
- In a stand mixer or large bowl, beat eggs on medium speed for about 2 or 3 minutes, until they are a light lemon color.
- Add the sugar and beat on medium for one more minute.
- Add 2 tablespoons of instant tapioca and combine thoroughly.
- Add the salt, flour, and nutmeg, and beat well.
- Stir in the rhubarb with a rubber spatula.
- Pour into the prepared pie crust. Mound the rhubarb slightly in the middle. Sprinkle the cut butter evenly over the mixture.
- Transfer (invert) the top crust over the pie and seal the edges.
- Cover the edges of the crust with a pie crust cover or foil (see note).
- Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes, until the crust is golden.
- Remove from the oven and let stand until room temperature, several hours. You can speed things up by putting it in the fridge if you want.
- Store covered on the counter. Warning: this means you will take bites of it every time you pass through your kitchen. Sorry in advance.
The men in my family have all been blessed (or cursed, depending on your view) with OMS: Oblivious Male Syndrome. They never get any clues, hints, or subtleties, even if they’re doing the disco in front of them with bright tie-dye clothes on. And no, that’s not an exaggeration! But anyway, that’s so wonderful that the party was a blast, and this pie — I need to find out just how far away you live because I would’ve died for a slice!! I’m the worst pie-maker in the world at the moment (it’s been 2 years since my last attempt, other than one a month and a half ago that I’m trying to pretend never happened because the crust was so soggy and never set up — help!!), so yours looks absolutely perfect, flaky, and delicious to me!
Amy we seriously need to come up with a goodies delivery system.
YES! We certainly do. I’m in Davis; are you in East Sac? Because we could totally make this work.
My husband works in Davis! He could be our delivery boy! :)
Ohmygosh are you serious??? That’s too good to be true — and totally meant to be! Especially if he works near South Davis… ;) We definitely need to get this delivery system up and running pronto!!
You guys sound like the perfect couple! :) Love those shots of the rhubarb girl. Your photography is just getting better and better.
Awww thanks Courtney!! Means a lot coming from you :) I hope you guys are having so much fun on your trip!
Your pie looks amazing! That rhubarb is a thing of beauty.. I’m always amazed by how pretty it is!
Super Gorg pie!!
hahahah!!!!!!!!! I can’t get over that anecdote!!!!!!! It’s soooo cute and totally hilarious! That milestone definitely needed some excellent celebration and this is just the perfect way to do so! Lovinggggg that pie and adding tapioca is just sooooo awesome! Need to give that a try!
This pie is beautiful! Custard & rhubarb – amazing! And not to mention that the photos of your crust are completely delicious looking. : )
This came at a perfect time. I bought rhubarb last week all excited to make something because I never catch it when it’s in season. This just reminded me it’s in the veg. drawer. Checked it and it’s still edible :).
This looks so delicious! I was going to get some rhubarb to make jam, but I think I’ll get some extra and give this pie a try! Thanks for sharing the family legendary recipe! :) xo
Laughing out loud right now. I thought I was a bad secret keeper, but I think you might take the cake. It’s the thought that counts right?? LOVE THE PIE.
DO I NEED THE TOP CRUST? never was a fan of covered pies.
Hi Carol! I haven’t tried this without a top crust, I would be nervous that the filling would not bake up the same? I think it would dry out.
You’re pie crust looks gorgeous Karen. Maybe you could give us a little pie crust tutorial?
I thought about it Julie! I seriously need to work on like, actually learning how to use my camera so that my how-to shots don’t look like a 5 year old took them. haha!
Well, hello gorgeous! This pie looks awesome, Karen! I love that you combined custard with rhubarb, looks like an awesome combo!
UGH so jealous! There is no rhubarb to be had in Del Rio, “not even for ready money” (haha I love that part in The Importance of Being Earnest”). Brian loves rhubarb more than anything but you can’t get it here…and apparently it’s pretty hard to find even in San Antonio. “Not a Texas thing,” I heard. Tragic. I wonder if you can order rhubarb on Amazon…?
Duuuude that is tragic Sarah. I’m seriously thinking about how I could send you some in the mail. Or you know what, rhubarb is really easy yo grow isn’t it? You should look it up. Eric’s mom says it grows like a weed in Montana.
Your pictures are absolutely amazing! I’m drooling here at lunch… because it looks so much ummm tastier than my greek yogurt that I’m eating right now. I’ve never made a rhubarb anything on it own. Is it bitter tasting?
Thanks Laura! No I promise it’s not bitter at all. Just deliciously sweet-tart. It’s kind of sad to me that people are always adding strawberries to rhubarb. I mean, it’s a great combo, but rhubarb stands alone just fine. Now you are making me want rhubarb flavored greek yogurt…mmmm!!!
Your moms surprise party sounds amazing! What great milestones to celebrate! So cool that they’re big, important years, 20-40-60. That worked out verrrry nicely! Glad you and your siblings were all together again! I’m so lucky my sister only lives 4 freeway exits from me, and even that seems like too far for me. I should really try and keep it in perspective, *wink*.
This pie looks amazing! Wanna know a secret? I’ve never cooked or EATEN rhubarb. AHHH! I know. So bad. I don’t know what I’m waiting for, I should just dive head first and try it. This pie sounds like a pretty fool proof way to start. Shawn will be very happy, he loves when I make pie : )
Okay Natalie, I’m going to drive to your house and deliver this pie to you. That is how strongly I feel about rhubarb. I didn’t grow up eating it either and only tried it the first time a few years ago. I’m HOOKED. Here’s another one you should try if you don’t feel like dealing with pie crust: https://thefoodcharlatan.com/2012/04/13/rhubarb-meringue-layers/ (btw your eyes might actually break when you see those pictures but I SWEAR it’s delicious.) The crust, the meringue…it’s perfection. DO IT!!
Oh and I’m super jealous that you are 4 exits from your sister! That would be amazing!!
Hi. This looks wonderful. Have you used frozen rhubarb? Thanks
Hi Terra! I haven’t used frozen rhubarb. If I were to try it, I would drain the measured rhubarb completely in a colander (with a bowl to catch the juice–save it for syrup or something). Let thaw completely. If you use frozen it would release a ton of liquid and your pie would be runny. Pat the rhubarb dry with paper towels and proceed with the recipe as usual. I would try it with the amount of tapioca indicated the first time, but be aware that I haven’t tested this, so you may need to increase the amount the second time you make it. I would love to hear a review of what you do and how it turns out Terra! Thanks for commenting, and happy Wednesday!