Two Peas and Their Pod

Strawberry Rhubarb Crumb Cake

We bought a house at the end of last summer, soon after we were married. I love our home, but I had no idea how many projects would pop up. For the past two weeks we have been putting in a sprinkler system. Ok, I really shouldn’t say we, Josh has been putting in the sprinkler system. I am lucky to have such a hard working husband, he is very handy:)


Well, it is almost done. Yahoo! The hydroseed is going in on Tuesday and hopefully our grass will be up in no time. Next on the list, our garden. We’ve planted some tomatoes and flowers, but we have more to do!

We did discover four huge rhubarb plants in our yard. The previous owners must of planted them and I am SO glad they did. I have fallen head over heels for rhubarb. I know I’ve tasted it before but I don’t remember being too fond of it. I didn’t want the rhubarb to go to waste, so I decided to try out some new recipes.

I tried a Strawberry Rhubarb Crumb Cake that I saw on Sugar Plum’s blog. I figured this would be a safe one to start with. The cake part was very basic. I scattered the sliced strawberries and rhubarb over the batter. I loved their bright red color. I also added a crumb topping, after it baked for awhile.

I wasn’t really sold on the rhubarb idea, so I had Josh taste it. He LOVED it so of course I had to have a bite and WOW! I was surprised at how good it was. I loved the tartness of the rhubarb paired with the sweet strawberries and sugary, crunchy crumb topping. This cake is a winner! We took it to a BBQ and our friends are now big rhubarb fans!

I still have a lot of rhubarb to use up. If you have any favorites, please share! What can I say? I have a new crush:)





Strawberry Rhubarb Crumb Cake
Adapted from Sugar Plum

(Printable Recipe)

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (I added this)
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2/3 cup milk (I used skim)
1 cup sliced strawberries
2/3 cup finely chopped rhubarb

Crumb Topping:
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour (I used 1/4 cup flour)
1/3 cup old fashioned oats (I added these)
1 teaspoon cinnamon (I added this) 5 tablespoons chilled unsalted butter, cut into small pieces (I only used 4 tablespoons)

Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour 1 (9-inch) round cake pan.
In a medium mixing bowl, sift together 1 cup flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. In a large mixing bowl, beat together 6 tablespoons butter and granulated sugar until creamy, about 1 minute; beat in yolks and vanilla until combined. Gradually beat in flour mixture, alternating with milk until combined, about 1-2 minutes. Spread cake batter evenly into prepared pan. Top batter with strawberries and rhubarb. Bake for 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, prepare the crumb topping: Combine brown sugar, flour, oats, and 4 tablespoons butter; knead together using fingertips or a fork until well combined and mixture starts to clump together. Keep in freezer until ready for use. When cake has baked 20 minutes, top evenly with crumb mixture. Continue baking for an additional 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into cakes comes out with moist crumbs attached. Cool for 30 minutes before running a knife around outside edges. Remove cake from pan and cool on a rack.

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86 Responses to “Strawberry Rhubarb Crumb Cake”

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  1. 1
    Helene — May 17, 2009 @ 6:40 pm

    That’s so nice to find rhubard. I love it. What a great cake you made.

  2. 2
    Nancy/n.o.e — May 17, 2009 @ 6:43 pm

    I’m bookmarking this cake – it looks fabulous! We had rhubarb in the side yard when I was growing up, but I haven’t eaten it very much in years. I saw (on Twitter!) that Dorie was working on a rhubarb recipe yesterday, and I think David Lebovitz too? So you’re in great company!

  3. 3
    Jen — May 17, 2009 @ 6:49 pm

    This looks delicious! I love rhubarb… my mom always used to make a strawberry rhubarb salad. One of my favorites. I’m starring this one for later! :)

  4. 4
    Lori — May 17, 2009 @ 6:50 pm

    So glad to have this recipe. We made a strawberry rhubarb pie last week. I love that flavor combo, but always struggle with what to make besides pie. This is great!

  5. 5
    Leslie — May 17, 2009 @ 6:53 pm

    I am sad to say I have never had rhubarb

  6. 6
    Maria — May 17, 2009 @ 6:54 pm

    Thanks Helene!

    Nancy-I will have to check Dorie’s site for a recipe. Hopefully she will share:)

    Jen-A salad sounds good!

    Lori-My dad loves strawberry/rhubarb pie, too bad he is far away:(

  7. 7
    Tracey — May 17, 2009 @ 6:55 pm

    I’ve been looking forward to your posts about the rhubarb after seeing your tweets about them :) This looks fantastic! Sadly, I don’t think I’ve ever had rhubarb. I’ll have to keep my eyes peeled at the store next time I’m there.

  8. 8
    Elyse — May 17, 2009 @ 7:20 pm

    Maria, this cake looks fabulous. You know, I’ve never had rhubarb, but it’s certainly been popping up around the food blog world. I really need to get my hands on some–perhaps I will try it in this cake! Sorry that I’ve been an absent commenter; I just finished up my law school exams and am finally getting around to my google reader.

  9. 9
    Cathy — May 17, 2009 @ 7:32 pm

    I have never had rhubarb before, but you have completely convinced me that I need to find it and try it! This crumb cake looks FABULOUS – I bet the sweet/tart combo is to die for!

  10. 10
    pinkstripes — May 17, 2009 @ 7:38 pm

    YUM! Looks and sounds delicious. For some reason I’m not seeing rhubarb at the farmers’ market. I guess I’ll have to buy some from the store.

  11. 11
    Bunny — May 17, 2009 @ 7:52 pm

    Oh look how moist this is, fantastic!

  12. 12
    Emily — May 17, 2009 @ 8:34 pm

    Looks great! Glad you liked it.
    I am very, very jealous you have rhubarb plants.

  13. 13
    Barbara Bakes — May 17, 2009 @ 9:02 pm

    I’ve been wishing I had a rhubarb plant in my garden. Lucky you. The cake looks delicious! My favorite is strawberry rhubarb crisp.

  14. 14
    Katrina — May 17, 2009 @ 9:45 pm

    Yum! I recently took a dinner demo class and the chef made strawberry rhubarb crisp for dessert. It was divine! I liked the fruit more than I thought I would and the crisp on top was amazing. (I can send you the recipe if you want it.)

  15. 15
    Mary Ann — May 17, 2009 @ 10:53 pm

    I love rhubarb too. We grew up eating it all the time because my grandpa grew it and now my dad does.
    The way we ate it the most was just cooked in the microwave with a bit of sugar, to taste, and water. You can do it on the stovetop too. It becomes kind of like a compote, but it is good enough to eat plain by the bowlful. I also like it spread on whole wheat toast.
    Here is a post-http://maresfoodandfun.blogspot.com/2008/08/rhubarb-treats-stephs-rhubarb-filled.html
    where I did rhubarb filled cupcakes (YUM!), rhubarb mini-pies (the filling was amazing), and prudy’s rhubarb coffee cake, which is similar to my grandmother’s rhubarb cake, which we had just the other day, but I haven’t blogged about it.
    I have also made rhubarb-strawberry muffins, pie, and cobbler.
    Lots of rhubarb experience here! Sorry this is such a long comment. Can’t wait to see what you do with it next!
    (It is also yummy-raw, dipped in sugar)

  16. 16
    Rosa's Yummy Yums — May 18, 2009 @ 2:32 am

    A delicious looking cake! I love that flavor combination…

    Cheers,

    Rosa

  17. 17
    Happy cook — May 18, 2009 @ 2:51 am

    Looks really yummy rhubarb cake.

  18. 18
    Amanda — May 18, 2009 @ 3:59 am

    How lucky to have it growing in your yard! I know what you mean about all the projects, I spent all day working in the yard yesterday. ;)

  19. 19
    Erica — May 18, 2009 @ 4:58 am

    VERY cool that the older owners planted the rhubard! I still have yet to try it, but it looks just gorgeous in this crumb cake!!

  20. 20
    kat — May 18, 2009 @ 5:00 am

    rhubarb is a huge favorite around here & that cake looks great. I like it in so many desserts. its wonderful mixed with sour cream for a pie filling

  21. 21
    5 Star Foodie — May 18, 2009 @ 5:06 am

    This cake looks scrumptious! Love strawberry and rhubarb!

  22. 22
    Meghan — May 18, 2009 @ 5:11 am

    This cake looks so delicious! I really like strawberry rhubarb and love all the yummy crumbs on this cake :)

  23. 23
    Mary — May 18, 2009 @ 5:41 am

    This looks wonderful! You can make a strawberry/rhubard jam and also a syrup for topping ice cream.

  24. 24
    Michele — May 18, 2009 @ 5:58 am

    My mom always grew rhubarb and made pies with it. I saw some at the store the other day, I hope it is still there, because I want to try this cake. I planted one rhubarb plant last year and it is just now coming up. You are lucky to have four plants, that is a lot of fruit.

  25. 25
    Rebecca — May 18, 2009 @ 6:05 am

    This cake looks yummy and I too am a sucker for anything rhubarb.

    Just yesterday I made up a batch of Strawberry Rhubarb Jam: http://doctordomestic.com/2009/05/17/strawberry-rhubarb-jam/
    And I also love making simple rhubarb sauce (with or without strawberries) where you just cook down rhubarb with a tiny bit of liquid and some sugar. Its like applesauce but the rhubarb- plus it freezes beautifully!
    http://doctordomestic.com/2009/05/04/rhubarb-sauce/

    Thanks for another great recipe!

  26. 26
    Tracy — May 18, 2009 @ 6:19 am

    I also LOVE rhubarb! I am also looking for new recipes. I just made this strawberry-rhubarb shortcake if you’re interested: http://sugarcrafter.net/2009/05/13/strawberry-rhubarb-shortcake/

  27. 27
    teresa — May 18, 2009 @ 6:34 am

    Oooh, this looks so good, don’t you love finding new delicious recipes!

  28. 28
    Elle — May 18, 2009 @ 7:17 am

    That looks wonderful! I love any kind of crumb cake.

  29. 29
    Maria — May 18, 2009 @ 7:19 am

    Thanks for all of the rhubarb suggestions. Now I wish I had 10 plants!!

  30. 30
    Kelly — May 18, 2009 @ 7:19 am

    What a pretty cake! It looks marvelous, moist and very tasty!

  31. 31
    Manggy — May 18, 2009 @ 7:24 am

    I can’t help you with the rhubarb question, but I can help you finish the cake if there’s any left! ;)

  32. 32
    Jeff — May 18, 2009 @ 7:25 am

    I love rhubarb plants and it is another one of those plants I can just sit there and chow on while gardening.

    Been in my house for 8 years and I still stuck in project hell. Last weekend was spent mulching and designing a planter holder. I wish I could put a sprinkler system in but my yard is full of flipping tree roots.

    Nicely done and strawberry and rhubarb are best friends.

  33. 33
    Jessica — May 18, 2009 @ 7:32 am

    That cake looks delicious. I’m fascinated by rhubarb but I’ve only had it a couple of times. It’s way too hot for it to grow in Texas but I keep hoping that I’ll stumble upon some at the market in DC. Hopefully I will and then I can make this cake!

  34. 34
    Kasha — May 18, 2009 @ 7:52 am

    OH my I can’t decide between the lime bars or rhubarb! Thanks for the great ideas. This ideas are AMAZING!
    Kasha
    http://grubandstuff.blogspot.com/

  35. 35
    Netts Nook — May 18, 2009 @ 7:53 am

    That looks perfect the neighbors just brought over a bag of rhubarb they know I am the only one who cooks thanks for sharing. I will do the same.Looks perfect. Look around maybe you will find some asparagus.

  36. 36
    Culinary Wannabe — May 18, 2009 @ 7:58 am

    I saw this over at Emily’s site and thought it looked amazing – now it’s confirmed! It turned out so beautifully! And lucky girl finding rhubarb plants in your yard!

  37. 37
    Pam — May 18, 2009 @ 8:22 am

    My husband loves strawberry/rhubarb pie so I am sure he would REALLY love this. Looks great!

  38. 38
    Brittanie — May 18, 2009 @ 8:43 am

    Rhubarb is one of my favorites. You were lucky they had good plants already established. They take 3 years here before you can get any production:(

  39. 39
    Dawn — May 18, 2009 @ 9:10 am

    that topping Maria! ohhh that topping!
    I will be printing this one out.
    Awesome!

  40. 40
    Grace — May 18, 2009 @ 9:17 am

    how lovely! the crumb looks perfectly crumbly and the cake looks properly moist and fruit-happy. bravo!

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