Mary Berry Rhubarb Tart Recipe – A Classic British Dessert

What is the Mary Berry Rhubarb Tart Recipe?

Mary Berry’s Rhubarb Tart is a quintessential British dessert, showcasing tangy rhubarb nestled in buttery shortcrust pastry. With its vibrant pink filling and crisp base, it’s a show-stopping bake that’s perfect for Sunday lunch, tea time, or a dinner party dessert. The balance of sweet and tart makes this a treat for all ages.

---

Why You’ll Love This Rhubarb Tart Recipe

• Simple ingredients – pantry staples plus fresh rhubarb.
• Versatile – serve warm with custard or cold with cream.
• Teaches great pastry skills – including blind baking.
• Visually stunning – the rhubarb’s pink hue makes for a beautiful presentation.
• Adaptable – add strawberries, ginger, or almonds for a twist.

---

Ingredients

For the pastry:

• 1½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, chilled and diced
• ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 2 tbsp cold water

For the filling:

• 4 cups (500g) fresh rhubarb, trimmed and cut into ½-inch slices
• ½ cup (100g) brown sugar
• 1 tsp orange zest

---

Instructions

1. Make the pastry

• In a large bowl, mix flour and salt.
• Rub butter into flour until crumbly.
• Stir in sugar, add egg and cold water, and mix into a dough.
• Wrap in cling film and chill for 30 minutes.

2. Blind bake the crust

• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
• Roll pastry to fit a 9-inch tart tin. Trim edges.
• Line with baking paper, fill with baking beans, and bake for 10–15 minutes. Remove beans and bake 5 more minutes until lightly golden.

3. Prepare the filling

• Toss rhubarb with brown sugar and orange zest.
• Spoon into the pastry case.

4. Bake the tart

• Bake for 40–45 minutes, until rhubarb is tender and pastry is golden.
• Cool for at least 20 minutes before slicing.

---

Serving Suggestions

• Warm with pouring custard for a traditional finish.
• Cold with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
• Drizzle with raspberry coulis for extra fruitiness.
• Sprinkle with toasted almonds for crunch.

---

---

Expert Tips for the Best Rhubarb Tart

• Blind bake the crust to prevent sogginess.
• Use fresh rhubarb for best texture (or thaw and drain frozen well).
• Add a thin layer of ground almonds under the filling to absorb juices.
• Adjust sugar to rhubarb’s tartness.

---

Rhubarb Tart Recipe Variations

• Strawberry-Rhubarb – replace ⅓ of rhubarb with sliced strawberries.
• Ginger Spice – add fresh grated ginger to the filling.
• Almond Pastry – swap ¼ cup flour for ground almonds.
• Chocolate Layer – add thin dark chocolate before filling for indulgence.

---

Storage & Reheating

• Fridge: Keep in airtight container up to 3 days.
• Freeze: Slice, wrap individually, and freeze for up to 2 months.
• Reheat: Oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes to refresh pastry. Avoid microwave to keep crust crisp.

---

FAQ – Rhubarb Tart Recipe

Q: How do you stop rhubarb tart from going soggy?
A: Blind bake the pastry and sprinkle a thin layer of ground almonds or semolina before adding the filling. This creates a barrier against rhubarb’s juices.

Q: Can I make Mary Berry’s rhubarb tart with frozen rhubarb?
A: Yes. Thaw fully, drain excess liquid, and blind bake your crust before adding the filling.

Q: Do you peel rhubarb for tart recipes?
A: Fresh, tender rhubarb doesn’t need peeling. Older stalks with tough skin can be lightly peeled to remove strings.

Q: Can I add strawberries to rhubarb tart?
A: Absolutely—strawberries balance rhubarb’s tartness beautifully. Just reduce sugar slightly if berries are very sweet.

Q: How long does homemade rhubarb tart last?
A: Store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven to restore crispness.

Q: Is rhubarb tart best served warm or cold?
A: It’s delicious both ways—warm with custard or cold with cream.

Q: Can I freeze rhubarb tart?
A: Yes. Slice, wrap well, and freeze for up to 2 months.

---

Other Similar Recipes

• Mary Berry Glazed Fruit Tartlets
• Mary Berry French Apple Tart
• Mary Berry Red Pepper, Cheese, and Chive Canapé Tarts Recipe
• Mary Berry Treacle Tart Recipe

---