14 Rhubarb Dessert Recipes for That One Craving You Didn’t Know You Had

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Rhubarb tends to show up quietly in spring and stick around just long enough to confuse everyone at the market. It looks like celery, but it’s all business when baked into something sweet. Rhubarb dessert recipes hit a very specific craving—sharp, bright, and not overloaded with sugar. They’re the kind of thing you didn’t realize you wanted until the first bite, and then you’re suddenly wondering why you waited so long. This list is for the people who like their desserts a little unexpected and just grounded enough to keep coming back to.

Rhubarb Squares

A square piece of fruit crumble topped with whipped cream and sprinkled with cinnamon sits on a white plate with a fork; a baking dish is in the background.
Rhubarb Squares. Photo credit: Food Meanderings.

These bars combine rhubarb’s tang with a soft, cake-like base, making for easy snacks or last-minute dessert hits. They’re an approachable pick in the rhubarb dessert recipes lineup.
Get the Recipe: Rhubarb Squares

Blueberry-Rhubarb Muffins

Four blueberry muffins on a dark rectangular slate, with one muffin halved to show its interior. A cloth with blue berry patterns is partially visible in the background.
Blueberry-Rhubarb Muffins. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Blueberries mellow the rhubarb’s tang in muffins with a crumbly top, making these a favorite in rhubarb dessert recipes for snack or breakfast. They balance sweet and sharp in a very approachable way.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry-Rhubarb Muffins

Strawberry Rhubarb Mousse

A glass of creamy yogurt swirled with strawberry sauce, garnished with a fresh strawberry on the rim, sits on a white surface with strawberries and whipped cream nearby.
Strawberry Rhubarb Mousse. Photo credit: Life Around The Table.

Light and fluffy mousse with a tangy kick, perfect for those rhubarb dessert recipes that skip baking but keep flavor high. It’s a clever way to serve rhubarb without the usual fuss.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Rhubarb Mousse

Rhubarb Dump Cake Recipe

Three stacked slices of rhubarb cake garnished with mint leaves, with rhubarb stalks and pieces in the background.
Rhubarb Dump Cake Recipe. Photo credit: Best Clean Eating.

Dump cake that doesn’t act like it—quick, simple, and full of rhubarb flavor. This recipe shines when rhubarb dessert recipes need a no-fuss, crowd-pleasing option.
Get the Recipe: Rhubarb Dump Cake Recipe

Rhubarb Bread

A close-up of oat and fruit crumble bars on a wooden surface, with chopped fruit pieces and a stalk of rhubarb in the background.
Rhubarb Bread. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen .

Somewhere between quick bread and cake, this loaf packs rhubarb’s bright flavor without much effort. A dependable choice if rhubarb dessert recipes need a simple, handheld option.
Get the Recipe: Rhubarb Bread

Rhubarb Meringue Torte

A square slice of dessert with a thick whipped topping, fruit filling, and crumbly base sits on a black plate with a fork.
Rhubarb Meringue Torte. Photo credit: Food Meanderings.

Fluffy meringue meets rhubarb’s sharp punch here, creating a dessert that’s light but far from boring. Great for rhubarb dessert recipes when you want to keep things airy but interesting.
Get the Recipe: Rhubarb Meringue Torte

Rhubarb Almond Frangipane Tart

A baked pie with a lattice crust, filled with pieces of rhubarb, and decorated with a small cluster of pink flowers in the center.
Rhubarb Almond Frangipane Tart. Photo credit: Good Grief Cook.

Nutty almonds smooth out rhubarb’s punch in this tart that’s equal parts rich and refreshing. A smart option for rhubarb dessert recipes when you want something a bit fancy but not complicated.
Get the Recipe: Rhubarb Almond Frangipane Tart

Old Fashioned Rhubarb Custard Cake

A slice of fruit cobbler with a golden crust and creamy filling, topped with whipped cream, served on a white plate with two forks.
Old Fashioned Rhubarb Custard Cake. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

This cake sneaks custard into every bite, balancing rhubarb’s tang with creamy texture. It’s a solid pick for rhubarb dessert recipes that don’t mess around with fuss but still impress.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Rhubarb Custard Cake

Strawberry Rhubarb Yogurt Cake

Two slices of baked fruit cake are served on plates with forks, next to a baking dish with more cake, all set on a wooden table.
Strawberry Rhubarb Yogurt Cake. Photo credit: Foodess.

Yogurt keeps this cake moist while rhubarb and strawberry tag-team the flavor punch. This one fits right into rhubarb dessert recipes that lean toward something light but still filling.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Rhubarb Yogurt Cake

Strawberry Rhubarb Macarons

A white bowl with pink macarons sits on a folded blue-patterned napkin, with more macarons placed around the bowl on a light-colored surface.
Strawberry Rhubarb Macarons. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen .

These fancy-looking treats pack a surprising rhubarb punch under a crisp shell. Perfect for rhubarb dessert recipes when you want to impress without spending hours.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Rhubarb Macarons

Apple Rhubarb Muffins with Crumble Topping

A close-up of an apple muffin in parchment paper, with a sliced apple, a cloth, and a woven basket in the background on a rustic wooden surface.
Apple Rhubarb Muffins with Crumble Topping. Photo credit: Milk Glass Home & Kitchen.

Crisp apples team up with tart rhubarb under a crunchy topping that’s hard to resist. Count on this one when rhubarb dessert recipes need a little extra texture and charm.
Get the Recipe: Apple Rhubarb Muffins with Crumble Topping

Strawberry Rhubarb Muffins

A tray of freshly baked muffins with a crumbly topping, resting on a cooling rack on a wooden table.
Strawberry Rhubarb Muffins. Photo credit: Recipes From Leftovers.

Strawberries soften rhubarb’s edge, and these muffins deliver a bright, fresh flavor combo. This recipe works well if you want rhubarb dessert recipes that can double as breakfast treats.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Rhubarb Muffins

Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp

A bowl of strawberry crumble with oats, featuring sliced strawberries and a crumbly topping, displayed on a woven placemat.
Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

This crisp pairs warm fruit filling with a crunchy, buttery cover. It’s a classic choice in rhubarb dessert recipes that never stick around long.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp

Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake Without Milk

Close-up of a baked, crumbly dish with a browned, textured surface, possibly an oatmeal or fruit-based dessert.
Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake Without Milk. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

No milk slows down this coffee cake’s charm, where strawberries and rhubarb do all the heavy lifting. A smart pick for rhubarb dessert recipes that accommodate dairy-free needs.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake Without Milk

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Sarita Harbour has been stretching her food dollars to feed her family for over 30 years. As a former banker and current freelance writer, she's written boatloads of articles about budgeting, homesteading, gardening, personal finance and more. Her food-related articles have been widely syndicated through AP and MSN. Look for her food features at NBC, The Seattle Times, Yahoo! Life, Chowhound, Tasting Table and MSN.