Welcome to your new favorite dessert: Balsamic Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp. This sweet and tangy treat brings together the best of spring and summer produce with a delightful twist of balsamic vinegar. It's a simple, yet impressive dessert that you can whip up in no time!
The star of this crisp is the combination of strawberries and rhubarb, which creates a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness. The addition of balsamic vinegar might surprise you, but it enhances the fruit flavors beautifully, adding a subtle, rich complexity. The granulated sugar sweetens the fruit mixture just enough to counter the tartness. For the topping, all-purpose flour and rolled oats create the crisp texture, while brown sugar adds sweetness and a hint of molasses. Unsalted butter brings everything together, making the topping rich and crumbly. Finally, a touch of vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt round out the flavors, adding warmth and depth.
This crisp is delightful on its own, but you can elevate it further by serving it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream. For a bit of contrast, try a spoonful of mascarpone cheese on the side. It’s also delicious with a drizzle of heavy cream over the top.
First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it's ready when you are. Next, you'll want to prepare the fruit base. In a large bowl, combine your hulled and halved strawberries with sliced rhubarb. Sprinkle over the granulated sugar and drizzle with balsamic vinegar. Stir everything together gently, then let it sit for about 10 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld and the fruit to release some juices.
While the fruit is resting, move on to the topping. In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, rolled oats, and brown sugar. Pour in the melted butter and add the vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt. Use a fork or your fingers to mix until you get a crumbly texture. It should hold together slightly when pressed but still be crumbly.
Now, it's time to assemble your crisp. Spread the fruit mixture evenly in a 9x13-inch baking dish, making sure it's distributed nicely. Then, sprinkle the oat mixture over the fruit, aiming for a fairly even layer so it bakes uniformly.
Place the dish in your preheated oven and let it bake for 35 to 40 minutes. You'll know it's done when the top is golden brown and you see the fruit bubbling up around the edges. Once baked, take it out of the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.
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