Rhubarb Fool

Nov 3, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Dessert Custards puddings creams Vanilla: Extract Easy

A simple English dessert of stewed fruit folded into softly whipped cream and a little custard until marbled. This version uses tart rhubarb cooked to a jammy puree for a bright contrast with the cream. Makes 6 glasses in about 2 hr 30 min.

Prep 15 min

Cook 15 min

Cooling 2 hr

Total 2 hr 30 min

Yield 6 glasses

Diet Gluten free

Ingredients

Adjust yield

glasses

1 lb (500 g)rhubarb, trimmed, cut in 1-inch pieces
½ cup (90 g)granulated sugar
1orange zest, strip, no pith
2 tbsp (30 ml)water
1 ¼ cups (300 ml)heavy cream, cold
3 ½ tbsp (25 g)powdered sugar
1 tsp (5 ml)pure vanilla extract
7 tbsp (100 g)plain thick custard or crème fraîche, chilled

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Instructions

Put the rhubarb, granulated sugar, orange zest and water in a saucepan. Cover and cook over medium-low heat 10 to 12 minutes, stirring now and then, until the rhubarb collapses to a jammy puree.
Remove the zest, mash the fruit with a fork and cool completely, then chill 30 minutes.
Whip the cream with the powdered sugar and vanilla to soft peaks. Fold in the custard or crème fraîche.
Fold in the rhubarb puree gently, leaving some streaks of pink for a marbled look. Keep a spoonful back for the top.
Spoon into six glasses and chill at least 1 hour.
Top with the reserved puree before serving.

Tips

Cool the fruit fully before folding or the cream will melt.
Stop folding early; the marbled ripple is the look of a fool.
Taste the puree and add sugar before cooling; it should still be a little tart.
Good with shortbread.

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Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make rhubarb fool?

Plan on 15 minutes of prep and 15 minutes of cooking, plus 2 hours to chill. The recipe makes 6 glasses.

How should I store rhubarb fool?

Refrigerate covered up to 2 days.

Can I make rhubarb fool ahead?

Yes. It needs time to chill and set, so it is a good one to make the day before you serve it.

Can I use a different form of vanilla?

Yes. This recipe uses 1 tsp pure vanilla extract (5 ml). Each teaspoon of pure vanilla extract can be swapped for 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste, the seeds of half a vanilla bean, or 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla powder. Paste and seeds add the classic dark specks.

Serve it with shortbread.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 6 servings this recipe makes.

293 Calories / serving

18.7g Fat

29.8g Carbs

2.6g Protein

25.7g Sugar

Whole recipe (6 servings): ~1758 cal · 112g fat · 179g carbs · 16g protein · 154g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.