The Ultimate Rhubarb Cake with Butter Sauce Recipe You’ll Adore
Bubbling with sweet-tart charm, this rhubarb cake brings unexpected delight to your dessert table.
Crimson stalks peek through a tender crumb, promising pure comfort.
Soft layers melt beneath a rich butter sauce that whispers of grandma’s kitchen.
Memories flood back with each tender bite of this rustic treat.
Spring’s most playful ingredient dances between tart and sugary notes.
North country bakers have long celebrated this humble yet spectacular dessert.
You’ll want to savor every single crumb of this nostalgic classic.
Grab a fork and let the magic begin!
Why Rhubarb Cake With Butter Sauce Is Sweet, Tart, And Cozy
What Goes Into Rhubarb Cake With Butter Sauce
Cake Ingredients:Butter Sauce Ingredients:Topping Ingredients:How To Make Rhubarb Cake With Butter Sauce
Step 1: Warm Up the Oven
Fire up your oven to a cozy 350°F (175°C). Grab a 9×13-inch baking dish and give it a quick spray or butter rub to prevent any sticky situations.
Step 2: Create the Cake Base
Gather these ingredients:In a spacious mixing bowl, whip the sugar and butter until they transform into a fluffy cloud. Crack in the egg and splash of vanilla, mixing until smooth. In a separate bowl, dance together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually marry the dry ingredients with the wet mixture, alternating with buttermilk. Gently fold in the chopped rhubarb, giving the batter a playful twirl.
Step 3: Bake to Perfection
Pour the batter into the prepared dish, spreading it evenly like a cozy blanket. Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes. The cake is ready when a toothpick comes out clean – no gooey surprises! Let the cake cool down and catch its breath for a few minutes.
Step 4: Craft the Liquid Gold Sauce
Ingredients for the sauce:In a small saucepan, unite butter, sugar, and cream. Bring the mixture to a gentle bubble, stirring like you’re conducting a delicious symphony. Let it simmer for 3-5 minutes, then remove from heat. Stir in a splash of vanilla for that extra magic touch.
Step 5: Serve and Celebrate
Slice the cake into generous portions. Drench each piece with the warm butter sauce, creating a waterfall of deliciousness. For an extra indulgence, crown your masterpiece with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Tips For Baking Rhubarb Cake With Butter Sauce
Storage Advice For Rhubarb Cake With Butter Sauce
Perfect Pairings For Rhubarb Cake With Butter Sauce
Tasty Spins On Rhubarb Cake With Butter Sauce
FAQs About Rhubarb Cake With Butter Sauce
Rhubarb adds a unique tangy flavor that balances the sweetness of the cake, creating a delightful contrast. Its slightly tart profile makes this dessert more interesting and complex than traditional sweet cakes.
Technically, rhubarb is a vegetable, but it’s often used like a fruit in baking because of its sweet-tart taste. It’s packed with vitamins and adds a beautiful pink color to desserts.
Yes! If using frozen rhubarb, thaw and drain excess liquid before adding to the batter. Just pat the rhubarb pieces dry to prevent making the cake too wet. Fresh or frozen work equally well in this recipe.
Choose rhubarb stalks that are firm, crisp, and have a bright color – typically deep red or pink. Avoid stalks that look wilted, soft, or have brown spots. Thinner stalks are usually more tender and sweet.
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Rhubarb Cake With Butter Sauce Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 1x
Description
Delightful rhubarb cake delights dessert enthusiasts with its tangy sweetness and rich butter sauce. Sweet-tart flavors dance across palates, inviting you to savor each luscious forkful of this classic homestyle treat.
Ingredients
Primary Ingredients:
- 2 cups chopped fresh rhubarb
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ½ cup unsalted butter (for cake)
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup milk (alternative for buttermilk)
- 1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice (for buttermilk substitution)
Dry and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Butter Sauce Ingredients:
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to a moderate temperature of 350F (175C) and thoroughly coat a rectangular baking vessel with cooking lubricant to prevent adherence.
- Craft the cake foundation by vigorously blending sugar and butter until achieving a pillowy, aerated consistency. Introduce egg and vanilla essence, whisking until harmoniously integrated. In a separate container, sift together flour, leavening agent, and mineral seasoning. Gradually incorporate dry elements into the creamy mixture, alternating with cultured milk, stirring minimally to maintain a tender crumb. Gently fold ruby-hued rhubarb segments throughout the velvety batter.
- Transfer the silky mixture into the prepared dish, ensuring an even distribution. Position inside the preheated oven and bake until the confection achieves a golden hue and a inserted utensil emerges pristine, approximately 40-45 minutes.
- While the cake settles, construct the luxurious sauce by merging butter, granulated sweetener, and heavy cream in a compact saucepan. Allow the mixture to shimmer and bubble, stirring attentively to prevent scorching. Reduce heat and let the sauce gently simmer, developing rich caramel undertones for 3-5 minutes. Remove from thermal source and infuse with vanilla essence.
- Once the cake has slightly cooled, slice into generous portions. Cascade the molten butter sauce generously across each piece, creating a decadent presentation. Optional: Crown with billowy whipped cream or a scoop of classic vanilla ice cream for ultimate indulgence.
Notes
- Rhubarb releases water during baking, so toss chopped pieces in a bit of flour to prevent sinking and maintain cake’s texture.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend, ensuring equal measurement ratios.
- Adjust sweetness by using less sugar if rhubarb is particularly tart, or mix with strawberries for balanced flavor profile.
- Fresh rhubarb works best, but frozen can be used – just thaw and drain excess moisture before adding to batter to prevent soggy cake.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 470
- Sugar: 34 g
- Sodium: 230 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 57 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
Dave Mitchell
Founder & Chief Recipe Developer
Expertise
Education
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Comprehensive training in culinary techniques, kitchen management, and menu planning, with a special emphasis on grilling and outdoor cooking.
Dave Mitchell is the heart behind Daves Grill, a cook, writer, and lover of all things grilled. He studied Culinary Arts at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College and spent years cooking, testing, and sharing recipes that actually work.
Dave started Daves Grill to keep things simple: one great recipe at a time. His food is bold, easy to follow, and made for real people with regular kitchens. From juicy steaks to quick sides, Dave’s recipes bring the heat without the hassle.