Rhubarb Coffee Cake Recipe

a serving of rhubarb cake on a white plate.

5 from 2 ratings

You'll love this old-fashioned rhubarb cake recipe with a tender crumb, and tart rhubarb in every bite. Buttermilk makes the cake tender and moist, while a spiced brown sugar cinnamon streusel topping makes it impossible to pass up a slice.

Prep Time15

Cook Time45

Total Time1

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: rhubarb dump cake

Servings:

Author: Sarah Cook

Equipment

Ingredients

Streusel Topping

1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
6 tbsp butter, melted {salted or unsalted is fine}

Cake Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup butter {room temperature}
1 egg {room temperature}
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup buttermilk
2 cups rhubarb {finely chopped}{~2 medium stalks}

Instructions

Make the streusel topping: In a medium mixing bowl combine sugars, all-purpose flour, and cinnamon.
1/2 cup sugar, 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed, 2/3 cup all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
Drizzle in the melted butter. Mix with a fork or a pastry cutter until well combined. Place bowl in the fridge.
6 tbsp butter, melted
Preheat oven to 350˚F.
Butter a 9x13 baking pan.
In a small bowl mix together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Mix well.
2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted, 1 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt
In a stand mixer beat brown sugar and butter together on medium-high until light and fluffy.
1 cup brown sugar, packed, 1/2 cup butter
Add egg and vanilla extract to the butter/sugar mixture, and mix just until combined.
1 egg, 1 tsp vanilla
Add the flour mixture and mix until just combined.
With the mixer running on low, add in the buttermilk and mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
1 cup buttermilk
Add in the rhubarb and mix until thoroughly combined. Pour the mixture into the buttered pan.
2 cups rhubarb
Bake the cake for 20 minutes at 350˚F, then sprinkle the topping on top of the cake batter and bake for another 15-25 minutes or until the middle of a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.

Notes

If you're very sensitive to tart flavors, you can increase the sugar in the cake by 1/2 cup without impacting the overall texture.
The cake batter will have the texture of buttercream frosting before it is baked.

Nutrition