

Recipe Search

Rhubarb Apple Pie

The first harvest of the year on our farm is always rhubarb.  We think of rhubarb as a fruit but it is actually a vegetable perennial that produces celery like stalks in early spring. As long as I keep pulling rhubarb stalks, the plant keeps producing until late spring.  Whether it is in a pie, or Perishky, Platz or Wareneki, rhubarb is a favourite at our house. 

Rhubarb pairs well with apples and because apples need less sugar,  this rhubarb pie has less sugar than many rhubarb pies.  If you like your pie sweeter, go ahead and add up to another 1/3 cup sugar.

  • pastry for one 9-inch pie (recipe below)
  • 4 cups diced rhubarb stalks
  • 2 apples, diced
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 3 tablespoons minute tapioca
  • 1/3 cup whipping cream, divided
  • sugar for sprinkling on the crust
  1. Preheat oven to 425 F.
  2. Roll out the first piece of pastry and line a 9-inch pie pan.
  3. Combine rhubarb, apples, sugar, and tapioca in a large bowl.  Spoon into crust.
  4. Roll out another piece of pastry and place on top of prepared filling. Trim excess pastry, and roll under and crimp.  Cut a round circle out of the center of the pie crust and slash the top crust.  
  5. Brush the top crust with whipping cream, and sprinkle with sugar. 
  6. Pour remaining cream onto the filling through the center round circle.
  7. Cover the edges of the pie with strips of foil or use a purchased pie shield as seen in the photo above.   If you have a pie drip catcher, place the pie on that, before baking.  I use one that is easily cleaned in the dishwasher and am happy to avoid spills in the oven. 
  8. Bake for 10 minutes, reduce heat to 350 F and continue to bake until the center is bubbly, and crust is golden brown, about another 50 minutes.
  • 5 cups flour
  • 4 teaspoons brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 pound lard
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
  • water

  1. Measure the flour, brown sugar, salt, and baking powder into a large bowl.
  2. Cut in the lard with a pastry blender until the mixture is like large oatmeal.
  3. Put the egg into a 1 cup measuring cup and beat it with a fork to break it up.
  6. Turn out onto a floured counter and shape it into a circle.
  7. Divide into four pieces, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for an hour.  Use two pieces for a 9-inch pie and freeze the remaining pieces for another pie.  


  1. I am going to try this - the combination of apples and rhubarb sounds nice! I've never cared for rhubarb/strawberry pie; I don't like warm, mushy strawberries...

  2. That's an interesting pie crust mix, and it sounds easy. Your photos of the pie are very appealing. :) Question: Do you keep harvesting rhubarb into summer or what do you do when the stalks start to die off? I usually have another growth in the fall and can put some in the freezer. ~Elaine

  3. Oh that looks so good! Rhubarb with apples sounds like a great combination. I've never used a pie shield - what a great idea. My rhubarb is in full swing now and there is lots to share with friends and family!

  4. I remember rhubarb from my childhood in Northeast Illinois......we leave in Mississippi now and I've never seen it here

  5. My dad used to grow rhubarb in his garden when I was young. This was in England. Thank you for this delicious recipe.

