10 Beautiful and Tasty Rhubarb Cake Recipe Collection
Nothing beats the tangy sweetness of fresh rhubarb transformed into delicious homemade cakes. These tried-and-true recipes showcase this garden favorite in the most delightful ways.
From simple one-bowl wonders to elegant cheesecakes, each recipe brings out rhubarb’s unique flavor perfectly.
01. Quick Mix Rhubarb Cake
This simple rhubarb cake comes together in one bowl with minimal fuss. The moist texture and tangy fruit flavor make it perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients: 2 cups diced fresh rhubarb, 1½ cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup granulated sugar, ½ cup vegetable oil, 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon salt, ¾ cup buttermilk, 2 tablespoons sugar mixed with ½ teaspoon nutmeg for topping.
How To Make Quick Mix Rhubarb Cake
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan thoroughly. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
2. Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add oil, egg, vanilla, and buttermilk. Stir just until the batter comes together, being careful not to overmix which can make the cake tough.
3. Gently fold in the diced rhubarb until evenly distributed throughout the batter. Pour into your prepared pan and sprinkle the sugar-nutmeg mixture evenly over the top for a delicious crunchy finish.
4. Bake for 35-40 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached and the top is golden brown.
02. Almond Rhubarb Coffee Cake
Rich almond flavor pairs beautifully with tart rhubarb in this impressive coffee cake. The tender crumb and crunchy streusel topping create the perfect texture contrast.
Ingredients: 2 cups chopped rhubarb, 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup sugar, ½ cup butter (softened), 1 large egg, 1 cup milk, 1 teaspoon almond extract, 2 teaspoons baking powder, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ cup brown sugar, ⅓ cup flour, 3 tablespoons cold butter, ½ cup sliced almonds.
How To Make Almond Rhubarb Coffee Cake
1. Preheat oven to 375°F and grease a 9-inch springform pan. Cream the softened butter with sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes with an electric mixer.
2. Beat in the egg and almond extract until well combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 cups flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. Alternately add the flour mixture and milk to the creamed mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Fold in the chopped rhubarb gently.
4. For the streusel, combine brown sugar, ⅓ cup flour, and cold butter, cutting in until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in sliced almonds.
5. Spread batter in prepared pan and sprinkle streusel evenly over top. Bake 45-50 minutes until golden brown and a tester comes out clean.
03. Traditional Rhubarb Cake
This old-fashioned rhubarb cake delivers classic homestyle flavor with every bite. The tender crumb and bright rhubarb pieces make it irresistibly nostalgic.
Ingredients: 3 cups diced rhubarb, 1¾ cups all-purpose flour, 1⅓ cups sugar, ½ cup butter (melted), 1 large egg, 1 cup buttermilk, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon salt, 2 tablespoons sugar for sprinkling.
How To Make Traditional Rhubarb Cake
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined.
2. In a separate bowl, beat the egg lightly, then stir in melted butter, buttermilk, and vanilla extract until smooth. If you don’t have buttermilk, substitute regular milk with 1 tablespoon lemon juice.
3. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir just until combined. The batter should be slightly lumpy, which ensures a tender cake texture.
4. Fold in the diced rhubarb pieces gently, making sure they’re evenly distributed. Pour batter into prepared pan and sprinkle the top with remaining sugar.
5. Bake for 40-45 minutes until the top is golden brown and springs back lightly when touched. A toothpick should come out with just a few moist crumbs.
04. Simple Rhubarb Pudding Cake
Using a yellow cake mix as the base makes this rhubarb dessert incredibly easy. The pudding-like texture and bright fruit flavor create pure comfort food bliss.
Ingredients: 1 box yellow cake mix, 4 cups chopped rhubarb, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup boiling water, 3 tablespoons butter, 1 package (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix, whipped cream for serving.
How To Make Simple Rhubarb Pudding Cake
1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread the chopped rhubarb evenly across the bottom of your prepared pan, creating a nice even layer.
2. Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the rhubarb layer, making sure to cover all the fruit completely. Don’t worry about mixing anything together at this point.
3. In a small bowl, stir together the sugar and dry pudding mix until well combined. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the cake mix layer.
4. Dot the top with small pieces of butter, distributing them as evenly as possible across the surface. Carefully pour the boiling water over everything, but don’t stir.
5. Bake for 45-50 minutes until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbling. The center should be set but still slightly jiggly. Serve warm with whipped cream.
05. Special Rhubarb Cake
This showstopper features a buttery cake base topped with crunchy streusel and finished with rich caramel sauce. It’s absolutely perfect for special occasions and dinner parties.
Ingredients: 2½ cups chopped rhubarb, 2 cups flour, 1 cup sugar, ½ cup butter (softened), 1 egg, 1 cup milk, 2 teaspoons baking powder, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ cup brown sugar, ⅓ cup flour, ¼ cup cold butter, ½ cup butter, ½ cup brown sugar, ½ cup heavy cream, 1 teaspoon vanilla.
How To Make Special Rhubarb Cake
1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch pan. Cream softened butter and sugar until fluffy, then beat in egg until well combined.
2. Whisk together 2 cups flour, baking powder, and salt. Alternately add flour mixture and milk to creamed mixture, beginning and ending with flour.
3. Fold in rhubarb and spread batter in prepared pan. For streusel, cut cold butter into brown sugar and ⅓ cup flour until crumbly.
4. Sprinkle streusel over batter and bake 40-45 minutes until golden brown and set. Meanwhile, make caramel sauce by melting butter in a saucepan.
5. Add brown sugar to melted butter and cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Slowly whisk in cream and vanilla, cooking until smooth and thickened.
6. Drizzle warm caramel sauce over the baked cake before serving. The combination of textures and flavors is absolutely divine.
06. Rhubarb Cheesecake
Creamy cheesecake gets a tangy twist with fresh rhubarb and sour cream topping. This elegant dessert is surprisingly simple to make and always impresses guests.
Ingredients: 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs, ⅓ cup melted butter, 3 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese (softened), ¾ cup sugar, 3 large eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 2 cups diced rhubarb, 2 tablespoons sugar, 1 cup sour cream, 2 tablespoons sugar, ½ teaspoon vanilla.
How To Make Rhubarb Cheesecake
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix graham cracker crumbs with melted butter and press firmly into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan. Bake crust for 10 minutes.
2. Toss diced rhubarb with 2 tablespoons sugar and let sit while preparing filling. Beat cream cheese until smooth and fluffy, about 3 minutes with electric mixer.
3. Gradually add ¾ cup sugar, beating until well combined. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
4. Fold the sugared rhubarb into the cream cheese mixture and pour over the baked crust. Bake for 45-50 minutes until center is almost set.
5. For topping, combine sour cream, 2 tablespoons sugar, and vanilla. Spread over hot cheesecake and bake 5 more minutes. Cool completely before refrigerating overnight.
07. Grandma’s Rhubarb Strawberry Coffee Cake
This treasured family recipe combines sweet strawberries with tart rhubarb in a moist, flavorful coffee cake. The fruit combination creates the perfect balance of flavors.
Ingredients: 2 cups chopped rhubarb, 1 cup sliced strawberries, 2¼ cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup sugar, ½ cup butter (softened), 1 large egg, 1¼ cups buttermilk, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon vanilla, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ cup brown sugar, ¼ cup flour, 3 tablespoons cold butter, ½ teaspoon cinnamon.
How To Make Grandma’s Rhubarb Strawberry Coffee Cake
1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan. Cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, then beat in the egg and vanilla extract.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together 2¼ cups flour, baking soda, and salt. Alternately add the flour mixture and buttermilk to the creamed mixture, mixing just until combined.
3. Gently fold in the chopped rhubarb and sliced strawberries, being careful not to overmix the batter. The fruit should be evenly distributed throughout.
4. Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. For topping, combine brown sugar, ¼ cup flour, and cinnamon, then cut in cold butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
5. Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the batter and bake for 45-50 minutes until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean and the top is golden brown.
08. Rhubarb Spice Cake with Lemon Sauce
Warm spices complement the tart rhubarb beautifully in this vintage-inspired cake. The bright lemon sauce adds the perfect finishing touch to each slice.
Ingredients: 3 cups diced rhubarb, 2 cups flour, 1½ cups brown sugar, ½ cup vegetable oil, 1 large egg, 1 cup buttermilk, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon nutmeg, ¼ teaspoon cloves, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ cup sugar, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 1 cup boiling water, 2 tablespoons butter, 3 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 teaspoon lemon zest.
How To Make Rhubarb Spice Cake with Lemon Sauce
1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch pan. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, brown sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.
2. In another bowl, beat together oil, egg, and buttermilk until smooth. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir just until combined.
3. Fold in the diced rhubarb and spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Bake for 40-45 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
4. For lemon sauce, whisk together sugar and cornstarch in a saucepan. Gradually add boiling water, whisking constantly to prevent lumps from forming.
5. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and becomes clear, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in butter, lemon juice, and zest.
6. Serve warm cake with the bright lemon sauce drizzled over each piece. The combination of spices and citrus is absolutely delightful.
09. Oma’s Rhubarb Cake
This beloved grandmother’s recipe creates a tender, moist cake that showcases fresh garden rhubarb perfectly. Simple ingredients combine to create something truly special and memorable.
Ingredients: 4 cups chopped rhubarb, 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1½ cups sugar, ⅔ cup vegetable oil, 1 large egg, 1 cup milk, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ cup sugar for topping.
How To Make Oma’s Rhubarb Cake
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and generously grease a 9×13-inch baking pan. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
2. Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add oil, egg, milk, and vanilla extract. Stir the mixture just until the ingredients come together into a smooth batter.
3. Gently fold in the chopped rhubarb, making sure the pieces are evenly distributed throughout the batter without overmixing, which keeps the cake tender.
4. Pour the batter into your prepared pan and spread it evenly with a spatula. Sprinkle the remaining sugar over the top for a lovely sweet crust.
5. Bake for 45-50 minutes until the top is golden brown and springs back when lightly touched. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
10. Sour Cream Rhubarb Coffee Cake
Rich sour cream creates an incredibly moist texture while balancing the tart rhubarb beautifully. The sugar-crusted top adds a delightful crunch to every bite.
Ingredients: 3 cups diced rhubarb, 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup sugar, ½ cup butter (softened), 1 large egg, 1 cup sour cream, ½ cup milk, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon salt, 3 tablespoons granulated sugar for sprinkling.
How To Make Sour Cream Rhubarb Coffee Cake
1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan thoroughly. Cream the softened butter with sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes.
2. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt until evenly mixed.
3. In a measuring cup, stir together sour cream and milk until smooth. Alternately add the flour mixture and sour cream mixture to the creamed butter, beginning and ending with flour.
4. Fold in the diced rhubarb gently, being careful not to overmix the batter. Pour into prepared pan and spread evenly with an offset spatula.
5. Sprinkle the top generously with the remaining granulated sugar, which will create a beautiful crispy crust as it bakes.
6. Bake for 50-55 minutes until the top is golden brown and the center is set. The sugar topping should be crispy and the cake should spring back when touched.
Final Thoughts
These rhubarb cake recipes prove that this tangy garden favorite deserves a place in every baker’s collection. From simple everyday treats to elegant special occasion desserts, there’s something here for everyone.
Whether you’re a rhubarb convert or longtime fan, these recipes will inspire you to make the most of this wonderful ingredient.
