This old-fashioned Rhubarb Custard Pie has rich, sweet filling and classic lattice top crust. A delicious dessert for spring and summer when fresh rhubarb is abundant in the garden and markets.
When I was growing up, springtime and early summer always meant the rhubarb was ripe for eating. We would have rhubarb preserves, rhubarb and strawberry pie, and this delicious rhubarb custard pie. This old fashioned rhubarb custard pie recipe is from the archives of my grandmother. If you’ve never had rhubarb pie, you simply must try it.
This is a dessert pie you won’t easily forget. It’s a decadent treat that’s just perfect for summer. A flaky pie crust is filled with tart rhubarb and a sweet and creamy egg custard enlivened with touches of cinnamon and vanilla.
Serve this old-fashioned rhubarb custard pie recipe at your next cookout or bring it along to a potluck dinner. This is a wonderful way to use fresh rhubarb, and everyone will love this rhubarb custard pie recipe. Rhubarb is so good in pies that it was once known as the pie plant!
Table of Contents
Is Rhubarb a Fruit or a Vegetable?
Rhubarb is often thought to be a fruit because of its sour, fruity taste, and the fact that it is mainly used for desserts, but actually it’s technically a vegetable. Only the red/green stems are edible – remove the big dark green leaves and throw them on the compost heap. The leaves contain toxic oxalic acid and should never be eaten.
Can I Use Frozen Rhubarb?
Frozen rhubarb is a great alternative when the fresh kind is out of season. Here’s how to use frozen rhubarb:
- Thaw the rhubarb.
- Drain and pat the rhubarb dry.
- Toss the rhubarb with a tablespoon of flour to account for any extra moisture
How Can I Tell When My Rhubarb Custard Pie Is Done?
Check the custard for visible clues. It should be just set in the center and not soupy. The filling should wiggle a little but not move around. Also, the edges of the custard might be slightly raised when done. If your custard is not quite ready but almost, turn off the oven and leave the pie in for another 10 to 15 minutes. This will give you some extra bake time without overcooking.
Should I Refrigerate My Rhubarb Pie?
Warm rhubarb pie straight from the oven is the absolute best, and it may well get all eaten up before you have a chance to think about any uneaten slices. However, if there are any leftovers, it’s important to know how to store them safely. This copykat pie is made with egg custard, so it does require refrigeration at a safe temperature.
This recipe is from the archives of my grandmother, Ethel Eynard. Jefferson City, MO. 1981.
Ingredients
Here is what you need to make the pie:
- Unbaked pie crust (refrigerated or homemade pie crust recommended)
- Eggs
- Milk
- Flour
- Sugar
- Cinnamon
- Vanilla
- Fresh Rhubarb
- Butter
How to Make Rhubarb Custard Pie
Combine eggs, milk, flour, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla until smooth.
Stir in chopped rhubarb.
Roll out half of the pie crust dough. Place in a 9-inch pie plate.
Spoon filling into crust and top with butter pieces.
Roll out the remaining pie crust dough and cut into 1/2 inch strips.
Weave strips over pie filling for a lattice top.
Pinch top and bottom crust on the edge together, turn under, and pinch to make a fluted edge.
Brush top crust with milk and sprinkle with sugar.
Bake at 400 degrees for 45 minutes or until pie crust is golden brown.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to questions about rhubarb custard pie:
Does rhubarb custard pie get soggy when placed in the refrigerator?
It can get soft the longer it sits inside of the refrigerator. For best results, this pie should be consumed in one or two days.
How to store rhubarb custard pie.
Enjoy the pie while warm, but if there is some left-over, wait until it cools completely before loosely covering it and storing it in the refrigerator.
How to freeze rhubarb custard pie.
- Wrap the whole pie tightly with either plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
- Place wrapped pie into a large freezer bag.
- Freeze for up to six months
Love rhubarb? Try these recipes
Favorite Pie Recipes
- Coconut Cream Pie with Meringue
- How to Make Blueberry Cream Cheese Pie
- No-Bake Cherry Cheese Pie
- Koolaid Pie Recipe
- Chocolate Pecan Pie
- Chocolate Pie with Cocoa
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie
- German Chocolate Pie
- Diabetic Pumpkin Pies
- Chilis Ice Cream Pie
Take a look at more of the best pie recipes and favorite spring food.
Rhubarb Custard Pie
Ingredients
- 2 unbaked pie shell top and bottom
- 2 eggs
- 3 tablespoons milk
- 1 3/4 cups sugar
- 4 tablespoons flour
- 1/4 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 pounds fresh rhubarb , cut into 1-inch lengths (4 cups)
- 2 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Preheat an oven to 400 degrees.
- Beat eggs, milk, sugar, flour, cinnamon and vanilla in a large bowl just until blended. Stir in rhubarb. Roll out half the pastry to fit a 9-inch pie plate. Spoon in filling; dab with butter.
- Roll out remaining pastry; cut in 1/2 inch strips. Weave strips over filling for lattice top. Pinch top and bottom crusts together; turn under; pinch to make a stand-up fluted edge. Brush pastry with milk; sprinkle with sugar. Bake at 400 degrees for 45 minutes or until pastry is golden brown.
Terry Dietrich
This sounds yummy & interesting…. but not quite a real custard—can’t wait to try it though. I, too, have a family hand-me-down Rhubarb Custard recipe that’s truly a full-blown custard pie that you line the bottom of a single crust with a single layer of fruit, then it rises to the top of the custard filling as it cooks flavoring the custard so it’s a creamy-sweet w/ a hint of Rhubarb tartness topped off with meringue … best served ice cold… no cinnamon or nutmeg needed. Love old unique recipes.
renee haney
My mom used nutmeg instead of cinnamon. Fresh cranberries are a good substitute for rhubarb.
ninth1
I’m ready to bake. HOW MANY EGGS?
Stephanie
2 eggs.
Liz
This looks good! I’ve never had Rhubarb pie. I’ll have to try it.