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    Home » Family

    Quick Rhubarb Cake

    Published on May 17, 2017 by theseasidebaker Last Modified on March 29, 2020 / 63 Comments

    23.9K shares
    Jump to Recipe

    This one bowl Quick Rhubarb Cake is extremely simple to make and even easier to eat! You will want to make it over and over again!

    This one bowl Quick Rhubarb Cake is extremely simple to make and even easier to eat! You will want to make it over and over again!

    I think that my husband's grandparents were trying to scare me away the first time I met them. However, I don't think it was intentional because his grandmother is one of the sweetest ladies ever.

    Quick Rhubarb Cake

    They invited us over for lunch. When we sat down to eat, she placed a huge platter in the center of the table. My face immediately turned white, as I realized what it was. A big whole, like just cut from the mouth, cow's tongue. Taste buds and all. I was always taught to eat what was served in order to not offend the hostess but, I couldn't do it this time, I just couldn't. Thankfully, my husband made some excuse for me in slang French, which I could barely understand with their farmer accent.

    Quick Rhubarb Cake

     

    Then, she served this cake. I had never had rhubarb before, and was extremely skeptical after what she had served for lunch. To my surprise, I really liked it. Rhubarb is a bit sour but is a perfect combination with a sweet vanilla cake. Before we left I asked her for the recipe. His grandmother is almost 90 years old, so her recipes consist of a coffee cup full of this and a spoonful of that. But hey, it works!

    After 4 years of trying, my Rhubarb plant finally took last year and now I have hundreds of stalks. I knew that the first thing I was going to had to be this cake. My husband was super stoked too because he hasn't had this cake since the last time he saw his grandmother over a year ago.

    Quick Rhubarb Cake

     

    In French, the cake is called "Gateau Vite Fait", which means "Quickly Made Cake". It is really simple, and only takes about 15 minutes to prepare and 30 minutes to cook. It can be served warm or at room temperature. The cake portion is light, fluffy and streaked with vanilla bean which contrasts beautifully with the slightly sour rhubarb. It's no wonder it is one of the most popular recipes on the blog!

     

    Quick Rhubarb Cake
    Print
    Quick Rhubarb Cake
    This one bowl Quick Rhubarb Cake is extremely simple to make and even easier to eat! You will want to make it over and over again!
    Author: Jackie
    Ingredients
    • ⅔ cup granulated sugar , plus 2 tablespoon for top of rhubarb
    • 3 eggs
    • 3 tablespoons butter , melted
    • 2 tablespoons milk or buttermilk
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla or vanilla bean paste
    • 1 cup plus 2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
    • ¾ teaspoon baking powder
    • pinch of salt
    • 2 cups diced rhubarb
    Instructions
    1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
    2. In a bowl mix eggs and ⅔ cup of sugar until light.
    3. Add melted butter, vanilla, and milk.

    4. Stir in flour, baking powder and salt and mix to combine.
    5. Pour into a 8 or 9 inch cake pan that has been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.
    6. Spread diced rhubarb around the top of the batter and sprinkle with 2 tablespoon sugar.
    7. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until a knife comes out clean.

    Recipe Video

     

     

    « Sweet and Spicy Pork Ribs
    Lemon Garlic Seared Salmon »
    23.9K shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. pattyabr

      April 07, 2013 at 7:12 pm

      lovely story and cake recipe. Cheers to grandmother

      Reply
    2. Rosie @ Blueberry Kitchen

      April 08, 2013 at 8:02 am

      Your cake looks so delicious! I'm pretty sure I couldn't eat a cows tongue either!

      Reply
      • Sarah

        May 16, 2022 at 8:05 am

        I’ve just made this with rhubarb from my allotment, it’s easy to make and delicious!!

        Reply
        • Cheryl

          July 06, 2022 at 5:25 am

          This was so good. Cake is similar to a pound cake, buttery and rich. Goes perfectly with the slightly tart/sourness of the rhubarb. Thank you

          Reply
        • Dee

          October 02, 2022 at 5:57 am

          The recipe sounds delicious. Could you clarify size of the cup please? These days they are all different sizes. Thanks Dee
          [email protected]

          Reply
    3. jackie2488

      April 09, 2013 at 9:54 pm

      Didn't expect that we can make cake out of Rhubarb. I've been growing my own rhubarb for a while now. Thanks for this tasty recipe. I used this method on my garden http://farmingeek.org/farming-how-to/how-to-start-your-hydroponic-farm/how-to-grow-rhubarb-in-hydroponic-farms

      Reply
    4. Carole

      April 25, 2013 at 3:12 pm

      Hi, this is a great post. I wondered if you would like to link it in to the new Food on Friday which is running right now over at Carole's Chatter. We are collecting recipes using rhubarb. This is the link . I hope you pop over to check it out. There are some great recipes already linked in.

      Reply
    5. Carole

      April 25, 2013 at 5:36 pm

      Thanks for linking this in. I hope to see you again soon. Cheers

      Reply
    6. Carole

      April 28, 2013 at 7:22 pm

      Just letting you know that I have now also pinned this to the special Pinboard I have created for Food on Friday: Rhubarb. http://pinterest.com/ca4ole/food-on-friday-rhubarb/ You might be interested in seeing the other links at a glance - and choosing some to check out.

      Reply
    7. koicuisine

      May 06, 2013 at 10:22 pm

      I happen to have some left over rhubarb and I'm going to make this. Thanks for the recipe!

      Reply
    8. beryl518

      May 24, 2013 at 7:31 am

      I made 4 of these for a senior's luncheon-they all loved it!!!!!-I got literally a tiny morsel for myself to taste so plan to make another one today, but make it gluten and dairy free. The four I made were dairy free. Thanks for this incredibly easy recipe!!!!!!!

      Reply
      • The Seaside Baker

        May 24, 2013 at 11:11 am

        I am so happy you liked the recipe!!! I love that you are making it gluten and dairy free. Take a pic and share it on theseasidebaker facebook page! I would love to share your adjustments! Thanks for following!

        Reply
    9. Alesig

      June 02, 2013 at 2:42 pm

      I have a blog dedicates to recipes that originated from grandmothers. Translated to English it is called: Baking like grandmother did. As my own grandmother passed away when I was but sixteen and in no way back then interested in cooking or baking I have but few of her own recipes handed down to me. I usually create my recipes myself or sometimes like right now I stumble upon little gems handed down to someone by their grandmother. Today I had a go at this wonderful recipe of yours. I made the cake and it is just glorious and delicious. I made a little bit of strawberry sauce to go with it (just a cup of diced strawberries with some teaspoons of sugar) and it made a wonderful dessert!
      Thank you for sharing this recipe!

      Reply
    10. Adriann K

      June 11, 2013 at 3:49 pm

      Just trying this recipe for the first time and the cook time is way longer than 30 minutes for me!

      Reply
      • Jen

        August 21, 2017 at 10:01 am

        Yes Agreed! Mine was still soggy at about 45 minutes and I had to go out at that point. Next time I will try the oven a little hotter - maybe this was for a fan assisted oven.

        Reply
        • Cassandra

          August 24, 2017 at 7:41 pm

          I am now having the same issue.. I hope that someone can figure out a new time/temp for those of us who are struggling.

          Reply
          • Cassandra

            August 24, 2017 at 7:57 pm

            Okay I believe my cake is done now at 45 mins.
            The other thing I am wondrring about is why the pics look like icing sugar is on top but yet it said to use regular sugar.. letting it cool. Hope it is good.

            Reply
            • Cassandra

              August 24, 2017 at 8:04 pm

              5 stars
              And.. it's good.. yummmm...

        • Annette

          June 22, 2020 at 12:26 pm

          Yes. Today is June 22 2020.

          I’ve made this twice and I’ve had to bake it for 48 minutes. I wonder if 350 should be 375

          However really easy and very good. I’ll make it tons

          Reply
        • Rachel

          May 18, 2023 at 9:09 am

          45 mins cooking and still soggy...must have gone wrong somewhere...

          Reply
      • Debbie

        June 08, 2023 at 3:15 pm

        I agree. About an hour would be more like it.

        Reply
    11. james

      June 14, 2013 at 2:19 pm

      amazing recipe, i have made it a dozen times already!

      Reply
      • The Seaside Baker

        June 14, 2013 at 2:28 pm

        I love comments like these!!! Thank you!!!

        Reply
    12. Lauren

      June 16, 2013 at 6:42 pm

      This was delicious!!!

      Reply
    13. C Murray

      August 28, 2013 at 12:14 pm

      Sorry a little confused. 2 to 3 cups of sugar or two thirds of a cup? Thank you

      Reply
    14. Sarah

      March 25, 2014 at 12:32 pm

      I too would like to know whether it 2 to 3 cups or two thirds of a cup?

      Reply
      • theseasidebaker

        March 25, 2014 at 8:55 pm

        It is two thirds of a cup 🙂

        Reply
    15. Vanessa

      April 20, 2014 at 3:00 am

      Your cake is delicious 🙂 I'm making it again today this time with custard it's going to make my father in law a very happy man lol!!!

      Reply
      • theseasidebaker

        April 30, 2014 at 7:18 am

        I'm so glad you liked it! Thank you for commenting!

        Reply
    16. Gosia

      May 11, 2014 at 3:47 pm

      Made your cake four times already! 🙂 Today used wholemeal flour and found it very, very nice 🙂
      Thanks for your great recipe!

      Reply
    17. Sarah Staines

      October 22, 2014 at 3:47 am

      Am making your cake, just wondered if it uses plain or self raising flour. Thanks

      Reply
      • Sandy

        February 09, 2018 at 4:15 pm

        5 stars
        Plain flour is listed for this recipe and baking powder and salt. If you use self-raising flour, it has these three indredients combined. So swapping makes this recipe even easier. A friend gave me some rhubarb from his garden so I'm looking forward to trying it today!

        Reply
    18. Linda

      September 04, 2015 at 2:59 am

      My father has given me some rhubarb and I have never made or eaten rhubarb cake, so i was taken with your recipe this morning and going to make my first ever rhubarb cake now!

      Reply
    19. Tess Geer

      April 04, 2016 at 9:19 am

      I am also wondering self rising or regular flour? Also, would it come out more cleanly if I grease and flour or have you had no problem with just cooking spray? Can't wait to try! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Carol

        September 23, 2017 at 2:07 am

        I believe all-purpose flour is UK's plain flour.

        Reply
    20. Diana

      June 12, 2016 at 1:58 pm

      Delicious and so easy to make. Thanks for the recipe.

      Reply
    21. Melody Favish

      August 29, 2016 at 2:58 pm

      I made it an hour ago gluten-free using HOF flour from Germany. The crumb was lovely. I think I will add a little cinnamon next time, to give it more identity.

      Reply
    22. Celine

      September 04, 2016 at 7:04 am

      Thank you for this lovely recipe! Such a little amout of butter, but so good.
      I used 1 cup of apple dices and 1 cup of rhubarb instead.

      Reply
    23. Shirley Moon

      May 02, 2017 at 1:18 pm

      Just made this tastes amazing many thanks for the recipe x

      Reply
    24. Roberta

      June 10, 2017 at 11:14 am

      This recipe says " and buttermilk," but there is no buttermilk in the recipe. I made it without buttermilk the first time but wondering if it would be better with.

      Reply
      • Cassandra

        August 24, 2017 at 8:00 pm

        Ingredients say buttermilk or milk.
        Guess she short-handed it to just say milk in the reciepe. Baker's choice it seems.

        Reply
    25. Felicity

      August 15, 2017 at 2:57 am

      5 stars
      Easy and delicious. Thank you for sharing!

      Reply
    26. Trish

      March 03, 2018 at 6:15 pm

      5 stars
      Made this this morning ... cooking time was great and the cake is delicious .. didn't want to share it lol

      Reply
    27. Jan Rutledge

      June 16, 2018 at 10:52 am

      Any chance I could have the measurements in grams instead of cups please. Here in the UK we generally use digital scales. Every time I google cups to grams they all come up with different answers. Baking is a precise art. I would really like to make this cake it looks great. Thanks

      Reply
    28. Jessy

      August 25, 2018 at 11:44 pm

      I feel like coconut will add more great flavor to this cake and seems a good combination with rhubarb. Cake tasted eggy first and has after taste of sour rhubarb. Will add next time a dedicated coconut for a twist!

      Reply
    29. Rajula

      October 29, 2019 at 7:25 am

      If I used stewed sweet rhubarb to spread on top .. would it work?

      Reply
      • theseasidebaker

        October 30, 2019 at 5:24 am

        Yes! I would just omit using extra sugar on the top.

        Reply
    30. Tina

      April 07, 2020 at 4:10 am

      Just made your cake, so delicious . Thank you for sharing x

      Reply
    31. Carrie

      June 17, 2020 at 12:22 pm

      Not overly impressed to be honest a very dense cake not light a fluffy at all and quite eggy tasting. Will make a standard sponge cake next time and top with rhubarb will not follow this again.

      Reply
    32. Andrew

      June 21, 2020 at 4:22 am

      This is a superb cake, we have made it several times and eat it while still warm with a big dollop of custard.

      As an aside: You should have tried the Ox Tongue. If you haven't yet it's worth a go. Delicious, cut thinly with a bit of mustard. Work great on a sandwich the next day as well 🙂

      Reply
    33. Rayna

      May 09, 2022 at 3:13 am

      This is my goto cake every spring when rhubarb season starts…so simple, so easy and tastes fantastic@@ Thanks for this lovely recipe

      Reply
    34. Elizabeth Ballinger

      June 30, 2022 at 1:07 pm

      I found this recipe a few days ago. I loved the story! I made the cake and, true to the advice, it was quick and easy to make and absolutely delicious. I am sharing the recipe with friends and family who, I know, will really appreciate the recipe when I give them rhubarb from the garden. Thank you.

      Reply
    35. Mindy

      June 04, 2023 at 10:16 am

      What a simple and delicious cake! My family devours this as it is so smooth and just the right amount of sweetness. Perfect for our Easter brunch and early summer dessert.

      Reply
    36. Stevie

      June 06, 2023 at 12:29 pm

      This recipe does not make enough batter for a 9-in round pan... just FYI. It is only about a quarter-inch thick.

      Reply
    37. Catherine

      June 17, 2023 at 7:47 pm

      I made this cake today and love it! I misremembered the last instruction and added the rhubarb to the batter. It was a delicious accident that worked out well. Time and temperature were exactly right for me using convection. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply

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