Easy Rhubarb Sauce – Spiced Rhubarb Sauce, Perfect for Ice Cream

Learn how to make an easy rhubarb sauce with this quick and easy recipe. This spiced rhubarb sauce for ice cream is also perfect for topping cakes, oatmeal, pancakes and more. You can also use it to add a tangy twist to savory dishes.

Spiced Rhubarb Sauce for Ice Cream Ingredients

I have found the perfect ice cream topper in an old McCall’s Cook Book. It has the perfect amount of spice from cinnamon sticks and whole cloves. It tastes like fall, and perfectly complements a bowl of vanilla ice cream.

• Fresh rhubarb or frozen rhubarb stalks, cut into 1-inch pieces
• Granulated (white) sugar
• Cinnamon sticks
• Whole cloves

As I started working on this recipe, I was on a mission to make my Dad a lover of stewed rhubarb. Now, don’t get me wrong, the man loves rhubarb pies, cobblers and crisps, but he has memories of my grandparent’s eating stewed rhubarb, and he thinks he doesn’t like it.

Now, I’m totally getting role reversal vibes here. He used to make me try new foods, and I’m over here making him do the same thing. Guess what? I totally succeeded in the matter. Serve him a bowl of this delicious stewed rhubarb, and he’s a happy man.

Stewed Rhubarb in the Oven

I like this method of stewing rhubarb. It involves stewing the rhubarb in the oven as opposed to the stove.

Basically, you place the diced rhubarb, sugar, and spices in a large casserole dish, cover tightly with aluminum foil, and bake for 25 minutes. You don’t even have to stir the rhubarb mixture; plus there’s no standing over a saucepan waiting for it to boil.

When you’re done, you’ve got a tasty treat that can be used not only as a sweet topping for deserts but you could also serve it as a rhubarb chutney along side meat such as pork chops.

How to make rhubarb sauce for ice cream?

Step by Step Instructions

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Place diced rhubarb pieces into a 2-quart casserole.
• Sprinkle the rhubarb with sugar; add cinnamon stick and cloves.
• Bake, covered with foil, for 25 minutes, or until rhubarb is tender but not mushy.
• Let stand, covered on wire rack until cool. Remove cinnamon stick and cloves, and discard.
• Serve over a scoop of vanilla ice cream or over any other type of dessert.

Storage Instructions

Let leftovers cool completely. Transfer to an airtight container or mason jar (glass jar), and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

For the full ingredient amounts and recipe steps for easy rhubarb sauce, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Recipe FAQs

• Use fresh chopped rhubarb or rhubarb that has been frozen. This is a great way to use frozen rhubarb because you are stewing the rhubarb so the final texture isn’t a big deal.
• If you like a more tart sauce, use less sugar. You could probably cut it down to 1/2 to 3/4 cup of sugar.
• My cinnamon sticks and whole cloves had been hanging in the cabinet for a while, so I added an extra stick and a couple extra cloves to the recipe.
• Be sure to pick out the cloves and whole cinnamon stick before serving.
• If needed, substitute ground cinnamon and ground cloves for the sticks and whole cloves.
• Optional: add some fresh lemon zest.
• For a smooth rhubarb sauce recipe, use an immersion blender to puree it.

What goes with stewed rhubarb?

Stewed rhubarb pairs well with a variety of foods such as pound cake, toast, ice cream, yogurt, pancakes, waffles, oatmeal, and can also be used as a topping for desserts like cheesecake or as a layer in a trifle.

Why is my stewed rhubarb green?

Stewed rhubarb can sometimes turn green due to the cooking process. This is a natural reaction that occurs when the rhubarb is exposed to heat and acidity, causing the red pigment to break down and turn green. It’s safe to eat and won’t affect the taste. Also, some varieties of rhubarb are more green in color than red. It could be that your rhubarb is just naturally green.

What can I use stewed rhubarb for?

• Ice Cream Topping
• Trifle Layer
• Cake Topping (try pound cake or angel food cake)
• Oatmeal topping
• Layered with overnight oats
• Pancakes and waffles sauce
• Smeared on toast or bagels
• Fancy Greek yogurt topping
• Muffin filling
• Pour over a strong cheese on a charcuterie board.

Ice Cream Toppings

We love ice cream and even have our grandma’s homemade vanilla ice cream (more like a custard) recipe on our blog! We also love a homemade ice cream topping!

Hot Fudge Sauce

Chocolate Walnut Sauce

Kitchen Utensils Needed

• Cutting Board
• Sharp Knife
• Baking Dish
• Aluminum Foil
• Wire Rack

Old Fashioned Rhubarb Recipes

• Rhubarb Pie
• Strawberry Rhubarb Pie
• Easy Rhubarb Quick Bread
• Rhubarb Dream Cake
• Sour Cream Rhubarb Cake
• Rhubarb Cobbler
• Cherry Rhubarb Crisp