Description
Aunt Rosa’s rhubarb fool showcases classic British dessert elegance with tart rhubarb and silky whipped cream. Sweet memories mingle with creamy textures, inviting home cooks to savor this simple, nostalgic treat.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups (946 ml / 32 fl oz) chopped fresh rhubarb
- 1 cup (237 ml / 8 fl oz) heavy whipping cream
- ½ cup (100 g / 3.5 oz) granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp (15 ml / 0.5 fl oz) lemon juice
- 1 tsp (5 ml / 0.17 fl oz) vanilla extract (optional)
- 1 tbsp (7 g / 0.25 oz) powdered sugar (for whipped cream)
Instructions
- Rhubarb Compote: Merge rhubarb, granulated sugar, and lemon juice in a medium saucepan, simmering gently while stirring until the fruit disintegrates into a silky, dense consistency.
- Flavor Enhancement: Incorporate vanilla extract into the compote, then cool the mixture to room temperature or rapidly chill in the refrigerator, preparing the base for the dessert.
- Cream Preparation: Whip heavy cream with powdered sugar until soft, billowy peaks form, creating a luxurious foundation for the rhubarb fool.
- Dessert Assembly: Fold the cooled rhubarb compote into the whipped cream, generating either a marbled swirl or a uniform blush-colored mixture that captures the essence of both components.
- Presentation and Chilling: Distribute the dessert into serving glasses, then refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes to allow flavors to harmonize and texture to stabilize, resulting in a sophisticated, refreshing treat ideal for warm days.
Notes
- Control Rhubarb Tartness: Adjust sugar quantity based on rhubarb’s natural acidity; taste compote while cooking to achieve perfect sweet-tart balance.
- Prevent Cream Deflation: Whip cream just before folding, ensuring chilled utensils and cold cream for maximum volume and stability.
- Manage Compote Consistency: Cook rhubarb slowly on low heat, stirring frequently to prevent burning and achieve smooth, glossy texture without excess liquid.
- Serving Temperature Matters: Chill dessert thoroughly for at least an hour to develop rich flavor profiles and allow cream and compote to integrate seamlessly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 237
- Sugar: 31 g
- Sodium: 12 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 62 mg