Rhubarb Fool: a Light, Dreamy British Dessert

Rhubarb Fool is a creamy, tangy, chilled whipped dessert with a dreamy texture that’s like eating a rhubarb-flavored cloud. This easy recipe is a ‘must make’ during rhubarb season!

Rhubarb lovers! This recipe is for YOU! This iconic British summer dessert is a light and dreamy recipe to celebrate rhubarb season: Rhubarb Fool.

I was looking back at some older recipes on Boulder Locavore to find a rhubarb season favorite: Brined Boneless Pork Loin Roast with Rhubarb-Cherry Port Sauce. The sweet-tangy combo of the sauce and the ease of cooking the lean pork roast make it a favorite in my household.

I happened to glance at the first comment on the recipe which was from a friend in England, Sue (who shared a guest post about What the Heck IS Boxing Day Anyway?), asking ‘have you made Rhubarb Fool?’ I’d long since forgotten her question but the time seemed right to make it!

What is Rhubarb Fool?

A British dessert harkening back a few centuries, Rhubarb Fool is a light dessert combining a sweet-tangy rhubarb compote with freshly whipped unsweetened cream. The two are folded together making a cloud-like, lofty rich dessert with signature rhubarb flavor.

Rhubarb is Really a Vegetable (shhhhhh)

Did you know rhubarb is actually a vegetable? For those unfamiliar it looks like a brightly blushing cousin of celery in ribbed stalks. Rhubarb’s distinct tangy flavor pairs well with sweet flavors making it a main star of desserts over savory dishes; Strawberry Rhubarb Pie probably being the most familiar.

Rhubarb has a shorter season in the United States, usually showing up in stores in the spring with the prime season being April through June. Gobble it up while you can!

There are many delicious recipes in which to use it (I’ll list more below) but it won’t be around too long.

How to make Rhubarb Fool – Step by Step:

The tangy rhubarb is cut into slices and combined with sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat, covered. No water is required because the cooking process releases the water in the rhubarb.

The mixture cooks for five minutes and the rhubarb is soft and begins to breakdown. A few stirrings, and three more minutes breaks the rhubarb down fully.

PRO TIP: The more the rhubarb is stirred, the more it breaks down while cooking. If you prefer larger pieces, stir less. If you prefer a smoother texture as shown in the photos, stir more at the end to reach the desired consistency.

The rhubarb mixture is put into a strainer (a fine mesh sieve) allowing the juice to separate leaving a thick compote. Both are chilled separately.

Heavy whipping cream is whipped into soft peaks and the rhubarb compote is folded in creating a lightly streaked salmon-color dessert. The rhubarb fool is spooned into serving glasses or bowls, drizzled with the juice and chilled for at least an hour before serving.

It’s a simple but rich dessert and one that celebrates rhubarb flavor. At first I was hesitant about not adding sugar to the whipping cream but it’s truly perfect without it.

More Rhubarb Recipes You’ll Love:

• Rhubarb Crunch
• Rhubarb Upside Down Cake
• Rhubarb Grunt: A Classic Americana Rhubarb Dessert
• Rhubarb Pie cocktail

Try These Recipes too!

Creme Brulee in the Instant Pot

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Rhubarb Fool

This lofty, chilled dessert is a summer favorite. A simple sweetened rhubarb compote is folded into freshly whipped cream, drizzled with rhubarb syrup and chilled. It's a rich summery dessert.

Course Dessert

Cuisine British

Keyword rhubarb dessert recipe, rhubarb fool recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 8 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes

Servings 6

Calories 321 kcal

Author Toni Dash

Ingredients

• 1 pound Rhubarb rinsed, ends trimmed, leaves removed and cut into ½-inch thick slices
• ¼ cup Granulated Sugar
• 2 cups Heavy Whipping Cream

Instructions

1. Combine the rhubarb and sugar in a medium sauce pan with lid over medium-high heat. Allow to come to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes stirring a few times. Stir and reduce heat to low, replace the lid and allow to cook an additional 3 minutes until the rhubarb is soft and breaking down. NOTE: the more it is stirred the more it will breakdown into smaller pieces.
2. Place a sieve over a small bowl and allow the juice from the rhubarb to drain into the bowl. Reserve the juice. Allow both to cool. NOTE: may be refrigerated to speed cooling or until later dessert preparation.

3. Whip the heavy whipping cream until it makes soft peaks. Fold in the rhubarb compote (NOT the separated juice) until they are combined. Spoon into serving glasses and drizzle with some of the juice. Chill for at least 1 hour before serving. NOTE: the juice may be drizzled on just before serving instead OR in addition.

Recipe Video

Nutrition Facts

Rhubarb Fool

Amount Per Serving

Calories 321 Calories from Fat 261

% Daily Value*

Fat 29g45%

Saturated Fat 18g90%

Cholesterol 108mg36%

Sodium 33mg1%

Potassium 277mg8%

Carbohydrates 13g4%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 9g10%

Protein 2g4%

Vitamin A 1245IU25%

Vitamin C 6.5mg8%

Calcium 117mg12%

Iron 0.2mg1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Originally published: April 29, 2018