A rhubarb custard pie recipe has always held a special place in my heart, a sweet echo of springtime in my mother’s garden. She taught me that the secret to the most comforting desserts is baking with love, a lesson I pour into every recipe here at Let Them Cook.
In this post, I’ll share not just the steps, but the heart behind this cherished rhubarb custard pie recipe, from a perfectly flaky crust to a silky, non-runny filling. I’ll guide you through making the best old fashioned rhubarb custard pie, ensuring your custard sets beautifully every single time. This isn’t just about baking a pie; it’s about crafting a memory and sharing a piece of heartwarming nostalgia with those you love.
Key Takeaways
- Use cold butter and ice water for the flakiest, most tender pastry.
- Let the pie cool completely before slicing for a perfect, clean cut.
- Balance the sharp rhubarb with a sweet, creamy vanilla custard for the best flavour.
Baker’s Quotes
Every slice of this pie is a spoonful of memories, a taste of my mother’s love.
In my kitchen, we don’t just follow recipes; we recreate moments of joy and comfort.
Story Image

If you’d like a similar recipe…
<!– wp:wpzoom-recipe-card/block-recipe-card {"recipeTitle":"The Ultimate Rhubarb Custard Pie Recipe: My 5-Step Secret to Irresistible Flavour","summary":"A taste of springtime nostalgia! This pie perfectly balances the tartness of fresh rhubarb with a velvety, sweet custard, all nestled in a flaky, buttery homemade crust. It's a comforting classic, just like my mum used to make.","course":["Dessert","Afternoon Tea"],"cuisine":["British","Homemade"],"keywords":["rhubarb pie","custard pie","spring baking","old fashioned dessert","homemade pie"],"ingredients":[{"name":"For the Pastry:"},{"name":"250g plain flour, plus extra for dusting"},{"name":"125g cold unsalted butter, cubed"},{"name":"1 tbsp caster sugar"},{"name":"1 pinch of salt"},{"name":"3-4 tbsp ice-cold water"},{"name":"For the Filling:"},{"name":"500g fresh rhubarb, trimmed and chopped into 2cm pieces"},{"name":"200g caster sugar, divided"},{"name":"3 large free-range eggs"},{"name":"1 egg yolk"},{"name":"300ml double cream"},{"name":"1 tsp vanilla bean paste"}],"steps":[{"text":"First, make the pastry. In a large bowl, rub the cold butter into the flour, sugar, and salt until it resembles breadcrumbs. Add the ice-cold water, a tablespoon at a time, until the dough just comes together. Wrap in cling film and chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes."},{"text":"Preheat your oven to 190°C (170°C Fan/Gas Mark 5). On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled pastry and use it to line a 9-inch pie dish. Trim the edges, prick the base with a fork, line with baking parchment and fill with baking beans. Bake blind for 15 minutes."},{"text":"Remove the parchment and beans, then bake for another 5 minutes until pale golden. Set aside."},{"text":"While the pastry case bakes, prepare the rhubarb. Place the chopped rhubarb in a saucepan with 100g of the caster sugar. Cook over a medium heat for 5-7 minutes until the rhubarb is just tender but still holds its shape. Drain off any excess liquid and arrange the rhubarb evenly in the bottom of the baked pastry case."},{"text":"To make the custard, whisk the eggs, egg yolk, and the remaining 100g of sugar together in a bowl until smooth. Gently whisk in the double cream and vanilla bean paste until just combined."},{"text":"Carefully pour the custard mixture over the rhubarb in the pie dish."},{"text":"Reduce the oven temperature to 160°C (140°C Fan/Gas Mark 3). Bake the pie for 30-35 minutes, or until the custard is just set with a slight wobble in the centre. It will continue to set as it cools."},{"text":"Allow the pie to cool completely on a wire rack for at least 2 hours before slicing and serving. This is the hardest part, but so worth the wait!"}],"details":[{"jsonKey":"prepTime","value":"30","unit":"minutes"},{"jsonKey":"cookTime","value":"50","unit":"minutes"},{"jsonKey":"restingTime","value":"2","unit":"hours 30 minutes"},{"jsonKey":"servings","value":"8","unit":"slices"},{"jsonKey":"calories","value":"380","unit":"kcal per slice"}],"notes":"My mother always said the secret to a flaky crust is keeping everything as cold as possible. Don’t be afraid to pop your bowl and flour in the fridge for a bit!
For a lovely finish, you can sprinkle a little demerara sugar over the custard before baking for a crunchy top.
This pie is wonderful served on its own, or with a dollop of clotted cream.
“} –>
Rhubarb Custard Pie
Ingredients
Method
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt.
- Add the cold butter pieces and mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Stir in the ice water gradually until the dough comes together.
- Shape the dough into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- In another bowl, combine rhubarb and sugar, then set aside.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, cream, vanilla extract, and salt.
- Add the rhubarb mixture to the egg mixture and stir to combine.
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Roll out the chilled dough and fit it into a pie pan.
- Pour the filling into the prepared crust.
- Bake for 15 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 350°F (175°C) and bake for an additional 45 minutes or until the custard is set.
- Let the pie cool completely before slicing to ensure clean cuts.

