Rhubarb Coffee Cake: A Sweet and Tart Delight for Any Occasion
Are you looking for a delicious and unique dessert that perfectly balances sweet and tart flavors? Look no further than rhubarb coffee cake! This delightful treat is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or even an afternoon snack. The slightly tangy rhubarb complements the rich, buttery cake and the crumbly streusel topping, creating a symphony of textures and tastes that will leave you craving more. This recipe provides detailed steps and instructions, ensuring a foolproof baking experience. Get ready to impress your friends and family with this easy-to-make and utterly irresistible rhubarb coffee cake!
Why Rhubarb Coffee Cake?
Rhubarb, often mistaken for a fruit, is actually a vegetable with a distinctive tart flavor. Its vibrant pink stalks are a harbinger of spring, and it’s a popular ingredient in pies, crumbles, and jams. In a coffee cake, rhubarb adds a refreshing tang that cuts through the sweetness, making it a perfectly balanced dessert. The combination of the moist cake, the tart rhubarb, and the sweet, crumbly streusel is simply divine.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Before you start baking, gather all the necessary ingredients. This will make the process smoother and prevent any last-minute dashes to the store.
For the Cake:
* 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour: Provides the structure for the cake.
* 1 teaspoon baking powder: Helps the cake rise and become light and airy.
* 1/2 teaspoon baking soda: Reacts with the acidic ingredients (like sour cream or buttermilk, if using) to create a tender crumb.
* 1/4 teaspoon salt: Enhances the other flavors in the cake.
* 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened: Adds richness and flavor. Make sure the butter is properly softened, but not melted. Room temperature butter will cream best, creating a light and airy batter.
* 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake and contributes to its tender texture.
* 2 large eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add richness.
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances the flavor of the cake.
* 1 cup sour cream or buttermilk (optional, but recommended): Adds moisture and tang, resulting in a more tender cake. If using buttermilk, increase the baking soda to 3/4 teaspoon to compensate for the added acidity.
* 2 cups chopped rhubarb: The star of the show! Use fresh or frozen rhubarb. If using frozen, thaw and drain it well before adding it to the batter.
For the Streusel Topping:
* 1 cup all-purpose flour: Provides the structure for the streusel.
* 1/2 cup granulated sugar: Sweetens the streusel.
* 1/2 cup packed brown sugar: Adds a molasses-like flavor and helps create a slightly chewy texture.
* 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon: Adds warmth and spice.
* 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces: The cold butter is key to creating a crumbly streusel. Use a pastry blender or your fingers to cut the butter into the dry ingredients.
Equipment You’ll Need
* 9×13 inch baking pan: This size is ideal for a coffee cake.
* Mixing bowls: You’ll need at least two mixing bowls – one for the dry ingredients and one for the wet ingredients.
* Electric mixer (stand or hand-held): Makes creaming the butter and sugar much easier.
* Pastry blender or your fingers: For making the streusel topping.
* Measuring cups and spoons: Accurate measurements are crucial for successful baking.
* Rubber spatula: For scraping down the sides of the bowl and folding in the rhubarb.
* Parchment paper (optional): For lining the baking pan, which makes it easier to remove the cake.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Now that you have all your ingredients and equipment ready, let’s get baking!
Step 1: Prepare the Baking Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan. Alternatively, line the pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides. This will make it easier to lift the cake out of the pan after baking.
Step 2: Make the Streusel Topping
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside.
Pro Tip: Make sure the butter is cold for the best streusel texture. You can even chill the dry ingredients for a few minutes before adding the butter.
Step 3: Make the Cake Batter
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In a separate large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This will take several minutes, so be patient. Creaming the butter and sugar incorporates air into the mixture, which helps create a light and airy cake.
Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the sour cream or buttermilk (if using), beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter, as this can result in a tough cake.
Pro Tip: If using sour cream or buttermilk, add half of the dry ingredients, then all of the sour cream or buttermilk, then the remaining dry ingredients. This will help prevent the batter from curdling.
Gently fold in the chopped rhubarb. Distribute the rhubarb evenly throughout the batter.
Step 4: Assemble and Bake the Cake
Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly.
Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the batter. Make sure to cover the entire surface of the cake with streusel.
Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. The baking time may vary depending on your oven, so start checking for doneness around 35 minutes.
Step 5: Cool and Serve
Let the cake cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. If you lined the pan with parchment paper, you can simply lift the cake out of the pan using the overhang.
Once the cake is cooled, you can slice it and serve it. Rhubarb coffee cake is delicious on its own, but it’s also great with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Tips for Success
* Use room temperature ingredients: Softened butter, room temperature eggs, and room temperature sour cream or buttermilk will emulsify better, resulting in a smoother batter and a more tender cake.
* Don’t overmix the batter: Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can result in a tough cake. Mix until just combined.
* Don’t overbake the cake: Overbaking can dry out the cake. Start checking for doneness around 35 minutes and remove the cake from the oven as soon as a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
* Adjust the sugar to your liking: If you prefer a less sweet cake, you can reduce the amount of sugar in the cake batter or the streusel topping.
* Add nuts to the streusel: Chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds would be a delicious addition to the streusel topping.
* Experiment with different spices: Try adding a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the cake batter or the streusel topping.
* Make it ahead of time: Rhubarb coffee cake can be made ahead of time and stored at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also freeze the cake for up to 2 months.
Variations
* Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake: Add 1 cup of chopped strawberries to the cake batter along with the rhubarb. The strawberries will complement the rhubarb’s tartness and add a touch of sweetness.
* Ginger Rhubarb Coffee Cake: Add 1 teaspoon of ground ginger to the cake batter for a warm and spicy flavor. You can also add a pinch of crystallized ginger to the streusel topping.
* Lemon Rhubarb Coffee Cake: Add the zest of one lemon to the cake batter for a bright and citrusy flavor. You can also drizzle a lemon glaze over the cooled cake.
* Gluten-Free Rhubarb Coffee Cake: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Make sure to choose a blend that contains xanthan gum, which helps bind the ingredients together and prevent the cake from becoming crumbly.
* Vegan Rhubarb Coffee Cake: Substitute the butter with a vegan butter substitute, the eggs with flax eggs (1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons of water per egg), and the sour cream or buttermilk with a plant-based yogurt or milk. Make sure to choose a plant-based yogurt or milk that is unsweetened and unflavored.
Serving Suggestions
Rhubarb coffee cake is a versatile dessert that can be enjoyed in many different ways. Here are a few serving suggestions:
* Serve it warm with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream: The warm cake and cold topping create a delightful contrast in temperature and texture.
* Serve it with a cup of coffee or tea: The tartness of the rhubarb complements the bitterness of the coffee or tea.
* Serve it as part of a brunch spread: Rhubarb coffee cake is a great addition to any brunch menu. It’s easy to make ahead of time and it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
* Serve it as an afternoon snack: Rhubarb coffee cake is a perfect pick-me-up on a gloomy afternoon.
Storage Instructions
* Room Temperature: Rhubarb coffee cake can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
* Refrigerator: Rhubarb coffee cake can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days in an airtight container.
* Freezer: Rhubarb coffee cake can be frozen for up to 2 months. Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. To thaw, place the cake in the refrigerator overnight.
Nutritional Information (Approximate)
* Calories: 350-450 per serving (depending on serving size and ingredients)
* Fat: 15-25 grams per serving
* Saturated Fat: 8-15 grams per serving
* Cholesterol: 50-75 mg per serving
* Sodium: 150-250 mg per serving
* Carbohydrates: 45-60 grams per serving
* Fiber: 1-2 grams per serving
* Sugar: 25-35 grams per serving
* Protein: 3-5 grams per serving
Note: These values are approximate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients used.
Enjoy Your Rhubarb Coffee Cake!
Rhubarb coffee cake is a delightful treat that’s perfect for any occasion. With its sweet and tart flavor and its crumbly streusel topping, it’s sure to become a new favorite. Follow this recipe and enjoy a homemade rhubarb coffee cake that will impress your friends and family. Happy baking!
This recipe has been crafted with attention to detail, providing clear instructions and helpful tips for a successful baking experience. From the preparation of ingredients to the serving suggestions, every step is designed to make baking this rhubarb coffee cake easy and enjoyable. Feel free to adjust the recipe to your preferences and create your own unique variations. Baking is all about experimenting and having fun in the kitchen!