There is something truly heartwarming and comforting about a crisp that combines sweet peaches with tart rhubarb, and that’s exactly why I’m excited to share the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Peach Rhubarb Crisp Recipe with you. This dessert strikes the perfect balance between juicy fruit filling and a crunchy, buttery oat topping, making it a soulful treat that’s perfect for celebrating the spirit of the day. Whether you’re serving it for a cozy family gathering or wanting a dessert with a meaningful twist, this crisp brings vibrant flavors and a golden, caramelized crunch that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make this Martin Luther King Jr. Day Peach Rhubarb Crisp Recipe, you only need simple, wholesome ingredients that come together beautifully to create a symphony of flavors and textures. Each ingredient plays its own vital role—from the fresh sweetness of peaches to the tangy punch of rhubarb, and the oat topping providing a perfect crisp contrast. Let’s take a look at what you’ll need:
- 6 cups sliced peaches (fresh or canned and drained): Choose ripe peaches for natural sweetness and juiciness, essential for the fruit filling.
- 3 cups rhubarb, cut into ½-inch pieces: Adds that signature tartness which balances the peaches perfectly.
- ¾ cup granulated sugar: Sweetens the fruit mixture just enough without overpowering natural flavors.
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour: Thickens the fruit juices into a luscious filling as it bakes.
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon: Adds a warm spice note that complements both fruit flavors well.
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice: Gives a bright freshness and helps enhance the fruit’s natural acidity.
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract: Brings depth and a subtle sweet aroma that lifts the entire dish.
- 1½ cups old-fashioned rolled oats: The base of the topping, delivering that irresistible crispy texture.
- ¾ cup packed light brown sugar: For a hint of caramel flavor in the crumble topping.
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour (for topping): Helps bind the oats and butter to create crumbly bits.
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for topping): Repeats the warm spiced touch on the crust.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Enhances all the sweet flavors and balances the topping perfectly.
- ¾ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed: Key to that melt-in-your-mouth buttery crunch in the crisp’s topping.
How to Make Martin Luther King Jr. Day Peach Rhubarb Crisp Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start things off right by preheating your oven to 375°F and greasing a 9×13-inch baking dish. This ensures your crisp will bake evenly and release easily from the dish without sticking, setting you up for baking success from the get-go.
Step 2: Mix Fruit Filling
In a large bowl, combine the sliced peaches, rhubarb pieces, granulated sugar, flour, cinnamon, fresh lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Stir everything gently until it’s perfectly mixed, then let it sit for 15 minutes. This resting time allows the flavors to meld and the sugar to draw out the juices from the fruit, creating that luscious base that bubbles up deliciously in the oven.
Step 3: Make the Topping
While the fruit rests, prepare your crisp topping. Mix the rolled oats, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl. Then, cut in the cold, cubed butter using your fingers, a pastry cutter, or two knives until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. The cold butter is crucial here; it creates those amazing crunchy bits once baked.
Step 4: Assemble
Pour your beautifully macerated fruit filling into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle the crumbly oat topping generously over the fruit. Don’t be shy—this topping is what makes this crisp utterly irresistible.
Step 5: Bake
Place your dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until the topping is a gorgeous golden brown and the fruit filling is bubbling at the edges. The bubbling is your sign the fruit has softened perfectly and that wonderful caramelization has started to develop.
Step 6: Cool and Serve
Once baked, let the crisp cool for about 30 minutes—it allows the juices to thicken slightly and makes serving easier. This Martin Luther King Jr. Day Peach Rhubarb Crisp Recipe is perfect served warm, especially paired with vanilla ice cream or a generous dollop of whipped cream to add creamy richness to every bite.
How to Serve Martin Luther King Jr. Day Peach Rhubarb Crisp Recipe
Garnishes
Elevate your crisp with fresh garnishes like a sprinkle of chopped toasted nuts for extra crunch or a few fresh peach slices for a pretty presentation. A light dusting of powdered sugar over the top before serving adds a delicate touch of sweetness and charm.
Side Dishes
This dessert shines on its own but also pairs beautifully with a scoop of classic vanilla ice cream or a spoonful of lightly sweetened whipped cream, which balance the tart rhubarb and sweet peaches perfectly. For a brunch twist, serve alongside freshly brewed coffee or a sparkling wine for a festive touch.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to impress your guests? Serve individual portions in pretty ramekins or clear glass jars so everyone can admire the layers of fruit and crisp topping. Or bring it to a celebration spooned over homemade vanilla yogurt or alongside soft, fluffy pancakes for a unique twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers—and chances are you will—store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors continue to marry overnight, and the crisp remains delicious when warmed gently.
Freezing
This Martin Luther King Jr. Day Peach Rhubarb Crisp Recipe freezes well, making it a wonderful make-ahead dessert. Freeze in an airtight freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. To enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers in the oven at 350°F for about 15-20 minutes until warmed through and the topping crisps up nicely again. Avoid microwaving if you want to retain that crunchy texture, as the microwave tends to soften the topping.
FAQs
Can I use frozen peaches or rhubarb for this crisp?
Absolutely! Just make sure to thaw and drain any excess liquid before assembling your crisp to prevent it from becoming too watery during baking.
Is it possible to make this dessert gluten-free?
Yes, simply substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking flour and use certified gluten-free oats to accommodate gluten sensitivities without compromising on taste or texture.
How sweet is this dessert? Can I adjust the sugar?
This crisp has a balanced sweetness that complements the tart rhubarb well, but you can reduce the granulated and brown sugar slightly if you prefer a less sweet dessert. Taste the fruit filling before assembling if possible.
Can I prepare the crisp ahead of time and bake it later?
Definitely! You can assemble it and refrigerate it, covered, for up to a day before baking. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if it’s baking cold from the fridge.
What’s the best way to cut in the butter for the topping?
Use a pastry cutter, two knives, or even your fingertips to work the cold butter into the oat mixture. The goal is to evenly coat the oats with butter in small pieces that will crisp up beautifully in the oven.
Final Thoughts
I truly hope you give this Martin Luther King Jr. Day Peach Rhubarb Crisp Recipe a try because it brings together flavors, textures, and warmth in the most delightful way. It’s a dessert that’s as meaningful as it is delicious, perfect for honoring a special day or simply enjoying a cozy moment with loved ones. Once you experience that perfect blend of tender fruit and crispy topping, it might just become one of your treasured go-to recipes too.
Print
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Peach Rhubarb Crisp Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Martin Luther King Jr. Day Peach Rhubarb Crisp is a delightful and comforting dessert combining juicy peaches and tart rhubarb with a crunchy oat topping. Perfect for celebrating the holiday with a warm, sweet treat that highlights the fresh flavors of fruit baked to bubbly perfection.
Ingredients
Fruit Filling
- 6 cups sliced peaches (fresh or canned and drained)
- 3 cups rhubarb, cut into ½-inch pieces
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Topping
- 1½ cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure easy serving.
- Mix Fruit Filling: In a large bowl, combine the sliced peaches, chopped rhubarb, granulated sugar, flour, cinnamon, fresh lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Stir everything well and allow the mixture to sit for 15 minutes to meld the flavors and thicken slightly.
- Make Topping: In a separate bowl, mix the rolled oats, packed brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and salt. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to cut the cold butter into the dry ingredients until the topping becomes crumbly with pea-sized chunks of butter.
- Assemble: Pour the fruit filling evenly into the prepared baking dish. Evenly sprinkle the crumb topping over the fruit mixture, covering it completely for that perfect crisp texture after baking.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45 to 55 minutes. Bake until the topping is golden brown and crispy, and the fruit filling is bubbling around the edges.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the crisp from the oven and allow it to cool for about 30 minutes. Serve warm by itself or topped with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an extra indulgent treat.
Notes
- Fresh peaches can be substituted with canned peaches drained well, especially when peaches are out of season.
- Make sure the butter used for the topping is cold to achieve the best crumbly texture.
- Letting the filling sit before baking helps to thicken the juices slightly, preventing a watery crisp.
- Allow the crisp to cool before serving so the filling sets and doesn’t run.
- This crisp can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
