It's rhubarb season again, and that means I'm making one of my absolute favorite spring desserts - Amish Rhubarb Custard Pie. This pie is creamy, sweet, and perfectly balanced with the fresh tartness of rhubarb. If you love old-fashioned rhubarb pie made with simple ingredients, you're going to adore this one.
Fresh rhubarb hasn't been easy to find around here, so when I finally got my hands on some, this was the first recipe I made. And honestly… I cannot stop eating it! The tender rhubarb and silky custard inside a flaky pie crust is so addictive, and it's one of those easy Amish pie recipes I look forward to every year.
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Why You'll Love This Amish Rhubarb Custard Pie
- Tastes like a classic Amish spring dessert
- Perfect balance of sweet and tart
- Creamy, old-fashioned custard filling
- Uses simple pantry ingredients
- Works with fresh or frozen rhubarb
- Easy enough for beginners
Ingredients
- Rhubarb - adds tart flavor and is the main fruit in the pie (fresh or frozen works).
- Sugar - sweetens and balances the tart rhubarb.
- Flour - thickens the custard and absorbs extra moisture.
- Salt - enhances flavor.
- Eggs - bind the custard and add richness.
- Half & half or cream - makes the custard creamy and helps it to set.
- Butter - adds richness.
- Vanilla - adds warm, sweet flavor.
- Unbaked 9" Pie crust - is the flaky base for the custard filling.
These ingredients combine to create a rhubarb pie with a perfect balance of tartness and sweetness, a rich and creamy custard inside a flaky crust.
What is Rhubarb?
Rhubarb is a spring vegetable (although it's often thought of as a fruit), one of the few that is still truly seasonal. The edible part of this perennial plant is the vibrant pink or green stalk, which is almost always cooked with lots of sugar because it is very sour.
Eating raw rhubarb stalks is completely safe, although it's just as mouth-puckering as eating a lemon. (The roots and leaves, however, are poisonous.)
What rhubarb tastes like though, is really a question about what it tastes like when it's cooked with sugar to make it palatable. Then, it tastes pleasantly tart and adds great flavor to baked goods, jams, etc. It also pairs well with strawberries, which are in season around the same time.
I absolutely adore rhubarb pie, rhubarb custard dessert, etc. It has amazing flavor!
How To Make This Easy Amish Rhubarb Pie
This rhubarb custard pie is super easy to make. Especially if you already have a pie crust prepared. You can easily make a homemade pie crust, using my flaky crust recipe. Or use a store-bought crust, if you prefer.
Cut the rhubarb stalks into small bite-sized chunks. Then put the chopped rhubarb pieces into the bottom of an unbaked pie crust.
Now all that's left to do is simply melt the butter and mix the custard ingredients. Pour it over the rhubarb, and your pie is ready to bake. It can't get much easier to make a super delicious pie!
Can I Use Frozen Rhubarb?
Thankfully, you can also make this Amish rhubarb pie using frozen rhubarb. That way you don't have to wait for spring to come around to make it.
However, our local grocery stores don't even carry frozen rhubarb. For some reason, rhubarb can sometimes be difficult to find. It's so underrated! 🙁
But when using frozen rhubarb, it is recommended to thaw and drain the rhubarb before adding it to the pie filling. Thaw, drain, and toss it with about a tablespoon of flour before pouring it into the pie crust.
Frequently Asked Questions
The edges should be set and the center only slightly jiggly - kinda like a cheesecake.
It usually needs a bit more baking time, or the rhubarb was too wet. If using frozen rhubarb, thaw, drain well, and toss with a Tbsp. of flour.
Nope! Just wash it and slice.
Growing Rhubarb
I've been wanting to get this Amish Rhubarb Custard Pie recipe posted, but have been struggling to find any fresh rhubarb. Thankfully, I finally found some at our local Mennonite bulk food store. And I'm enjoying every bit of the two bunches that I bought.
I've tried to start a rhubarb plant several times over the years, and it just keeps dying on me. I want to try it again though, and maybe I need to do more research on how to grow rhubarb.
My Amish mom had a big patch of rhubarb, and we harvested lots of fresh rhubarb every spring. We usually had enough to sell some to a local grocer as well.
The big patch of rhubarb came back up every year, and I don't remember ever replanting it.
I think my mom may have put horse manure mixed with straw around it to fertilize and mulch it. But I never realized that it was difficult to grow. And hopefully, I can figure out the secret to getting the plants started and keeping them alive. I'd love to have a patch of rhubarb, so I can make lots of rhubarb goodies.
This Old Fashioned Rhubarb Custard Pie Is My Favorite
There are many different recipes for rhubarb pie, and honestly, they're all delicious. But this sweet and creamy custard rhubarb pie is at the top of my list. It is right up there with my Vanilla Crumb Pie and my Butterscotch Cream Pie, but the fresh rhubarb makes it perfect for spring."
Last week I made two different rhubarb pies so that I can compare the taste and see which one is my favorite. I made this rhubarb custard pie and a sour cream rhubarb pie with a crumb topping. They are both amazing!
But this Amish rhubarb custard pie won the competition with me. However, the sour cream rhubarb pie won my daughter's vote. And it is amazing as well!
More Amish Pie Recipes
- Amish Raisin Pie Recipe
- Amish Wet Bottom Shoofly Pie
- Lemon Sponge Pie
- Creamy Pecan Pie Recipe
- Amish Peanut Butter Cream Pie
This easy Amish rhubarb custard pie is made with fresh rhubarb, a creamy homemade custard, and a flaky pie crust. A classic old-fashioned springtime dessert! If you get to try this Amish pie recipe, I'd love it if you left a comment and star rating below. Thank you!
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📖 Recipe Card
Amish Rhubarb Custard Pie Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 heaping c. rhubarb, chopped (approx. 6 medium stalks)
- 1 c. sugar
- 3 Tbsp. flour
- ¼ tsp. salt
- 3 large eggs, beaten
- ¾ c. half and half or heavy cream
- 1 Tbsp. butter, melted
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 unbaked (9") pie crust
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°.
- Cut the rhubarb stalks into small bite-sized pieces. Spread it into the bottom of an unbaked pie shell.2 heaping c. rhubarb, chopped (approx. 6 medium stalks), 1 unbaked (9") pie crust
- In a separate bowl, mix the sugar, flour, and salt. Add beaten eggs, milk, butter, and vanilla, and mix well.1 c. sugar, 3 Tbsp. flour, ¼ tsp. salt, ¾ c. half and half or heavy cream, 3 large eggs, beaten, 1 Tbsp. butter, melted, 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- Pour the custard mixture over the top of the rhubarb. Carefully transfer your pie into the oven. (I move my oven rack to about the center, or just below the center, of the oven.)
- Bake at 425° for 10 minutes. Then reduce the temperature to 350° and bake for approximately 45 minutes longer.
- The pie is done when it appears firm around the edges and slightly jiggly in the center.
- Chill before slicing and enjoy! Keep any leftovers refrigerated.
Anna
One of my favorite pies!!
Gretta
Made this before and it was awesoome, made 2 more yesterday and they turned out awesome
Anna
I'm so happy to hear that. Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment. It's one of my favorite pies!
Steven Svendsen
Can I use 2% MILK?
Anna
I have never tried it with anything less than whole milk. I would probably tend to use cream rather than 2% milk. But if you have nothing but 2%, you can use it but maybe add a touch more flour or an extra egg.
matt
I tried this and the middle came out runny and mostly liquid. I even left it in the oven for 15 additional minutes from what the recipe says. Still stayed runny and doesn't seem like the filling will ever set up. I'm not sure what happened or why? Followed the recipe with no changes. It had a good flavor but was more like rhubarb cream soup. Hmmm? Any idea what might have happened?
Anna
Hmmm...I'm sorry that it didn't turn out for you. Did you use fresh rhubarb or frozen? If you followed the recipe correctly, adding flour and eggs, I see no reason why it didn't set. If you used frozen rhubarb and didn't thaw and drain it first, that could be the problem.
matt
I used fresh rhubarb from Lancaster, PA! 1st of the season, super nice. I added the flour and eggs. We cook frequently and have for years so we're familiar with baking and recipes. It seemed like maybe too much liquid to egg/flour? Who knows? I was so excited for this, we frequently eat Amish food and love it.
We used your pie crust recipe for this and it came out great! Used our fresh, raw butter we just got from Lancaster. Yumm!
Anna
I'm sorry. It always sets up for me, so I'm not sure what the issue was? But I have adjusted the recipe a bit and will be trying it again.
Matt
Who knows? If it sets up for you, I'm guessing I was off on a measurement. No worries. I enjoy your recipes, knowledge and stories! Keep it up. Living close to Lancaster makes me sooo happy! It's a wonderful place!!
Lou
Excellent authentic Amish recipe. If you want that delicious creamy rhubarb pie your Amish or Mennonite mom used to make then this is the recipe for you. So delicious!
Anna
Thank you for the kind comment.
Suzanne
Good Morning Anna!
I found you when searching for Rhubarb Custard Pie - my favorite recipe from my Amish cookbook that I can't put my hands on right now. Every year, I would travel to visit my grandmother who had moved to Arkansas and brought Rhubarb with me from Iowa. That was always a highlight of my year. Thank you for sharing this recipe online! It is really a delicious one.
I loved reading about your journey. I'm glad you know my Savior! Isn't He Wonderful! 🙂
Suzanne
Anna
I'm so glad you are here! Thank you for your comment! God is good!
ChrisF
I wonder if you live where it’s too warm for rhubarb to thrive?
Anna
It does get hot here, but I'll keep trying. 🙂