Old Fashioned Rhubarb Cake

You're going to love this Old Fashioned Rhubarb Cake recipe ! The recipe comes straight from my grandmother's cookbook, and it's so delicious and easy to make!

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My sister and I live in different states. We both love to cook, so when we get together there's almost nothing I enjoy more than spending a little time in the kitchen.

On one visit a couple years ago, she pulled out my grandma's cookbook. I love flipping through the pages of this cookbook. Some of the recipes are family favorites and others I've never tried. Almost none of the recipes have instructions, which can make preparing them a challenge!

Like many Wisconsinites do, my sister has a large rhubarb plant in her yard. So on this visit, we decided to make the Old Fashioned Rhubarb Cake. It was delicious and has been a family favorite recipe ever since!

You are going to LOVE this recipe! This simple Rhubarb Cake has a really tender, moist crumb. And between the crunchy topping and bites of tangy rhubarb, it's hard to stop at one piece. Top it with a little whipped cream, and it's truly heavenly!

Ready to try this recipe for yourself? You'll find all the delicious details below!

About Rhubarb

If you've never had rhubarb before, this Rhubarb Cake is the perfect place to start! It really is simple to make, and the fresh fruit flavor really shines through.

Rhubarb plants grow low to the ground and have red stalks and large leaves. Only the stalks are edible, and they need to be cooked to bring out their delicious flavor. Because it's tart, rhubarb is often combined with strawberries and other sweet fruits.

If you're lucky enough to live in a rural area, you may have a rhubarb plant in your backyard. It seems like every home had one where I grew up in Wisconsin. But if you live in the city like me, check the local farmers market or a grocery store with a big produce section. It's only available in spring and early summer.

How to Make Rhubarb Cake

This Rhubarb Buttermilk Cake is so easy to make. You'll find a detailed recipe below, but here's an overview of the steps:

1. Make the topping. Start by together the sugar, cinnamon, and nuts (I like to use pecans or walnuts) for the topping, then set it aside.
2. Prepare the batter. Next, you'll prepare the cake itself ... I prefer to use my stand mixer for this, but it can be done by hand, too. Cream together the butter and sugar, then mix in the egg. Combine the baking soda and buttermilk, then mix it in, along with the salt. Add the flour next. Don't worry if the batter looks a little weird ... it won't be perfectly smooth. Finally, stir in the chopped rhubarb.
3. Bake. Spread the batter in a 9 x 13-inch pan, then sprinkle with the topping. Then bake the cake until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

And that's all there is to it ... your scrumptious Old Fashioned Rhubarb Cake is ready to eat!

Serving Suggestions

This cake is delicious on its own, but I think it's even better with a little whipped cream or ice cream. However, you serve it, this is a yummy rhubarb dessert that your family will look forward to enjoying every spring!

Related Recipes

If you're craving more rhubarb recipes, make sure to try my delicious Rhubarb Upside Down Cake, Strawberry Rhubarb Galette, or this easy Rhubarb Quick Bread next! This Rhubarb Crumble recipe and Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp are also faves around here. And you'll also love this tasty Rhubarb Syrup recipe, which is perfect for making drinks, like this Rhubarb Lemonade and this Rhubarb Soda, and more.

Looking for more easy fruit treats? You'll love my Strawberry Banana Bread, Strawberry Ice Cream Cake, and Upside Down Plum Cake recipes, too!

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5 from 9 votes

Old Fashioned Rhubarb Cake

This homemade Rhubarb Cake is a delicious treat, and the recipe comes straight from my grandmother's cookbook!

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Cook Time35 minutes mins

Total Time50 minutes mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings: 12 servings

Calories: 289kcal

Author: Ginnie

Ingredients

• nonstick cooking spray

For Topping:

• ⅓ cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ⅓ cup chopped nuts (such as pecans or walnuts.)

For Cake:

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup buttermilk
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 cups + 1 tablespoon flour
• 3 cups chopped rhubarb

For Serving:

• whipped cream, optional

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9 x 13-inch cake pan with cooking spray and set aside.

Prepare topping:

• Combine sugar, cinnamon, and nuts in a small bowl. Set aside.

Prepare cake:

• Cream butter and sugar together using a mixer.
• Add the egg and blend well.
• Combine baking soda and buttermilk in a small bowl. Then add milk mixture to butter mixture, along with salt. Mix well.
• Add flour to milk/butter mixture in two batches, mixing until well blended. (It won't be perfectly smooth.)
• Fold rhubarb into batter with a spatula.
• Spread batter in prepared pan, then sprinkle topping evenly over cake.
• Bake cake 35 to 45 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean.
• Let cake cool, then serve topped with whipped cream (if desired). Enjoy!

Notes

If you are like me, you probably don't use a lot of buttermilk. Here's an easy substitute: combine 1 tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar with enough milk to make 1 cup. Let sit for 5 minutes before using in recipe.

Nutrition

Calories: 289kcal

Did you make this recipe?I love hearing from you! Leave a comment and rating below, or tag @HelloLittleHome or #hellolittlehome on Instagram!

Do you have any recipes that have been handed down through your family?