Delightful Strawberry-Rhubarb Crumble Cake
Indulge in the delightful combination of tart rhubarb and sweet strawberries in this scrumptious coffee cake, perfect for breakfast or as a decadent dessert. This recipe, inspired by the culinary treasures found in Guide to Southern Cuisine, features a moist cake layer topped with a generous crumble, creating a delicious contrast in textures. Serve it warm with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra special treat. Perfect for family gatherings, brunch parties, or a comforting solo snack, this cake is sure to please all your loved ones.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
rhubarb
3 cups (cut into 1-inch pieces, fresh or frozen)
strawberries
2 pints (mashed)
lemon juice
2 tablespoons (freshly squeezed)
sugar
1 cup (for filling)
cornstarch
1/3 cup
all-purpose flour
3 cups
sugar
1 cup (for cake batter)
baking powder
1 teaspoon
baking soda
1 teaspoon
salt
1/2 teaspoon
butter
1 cup (chilled and cut into small pieces)
buttermilk
1 1/2 cups
eggs
2
vanilla extract
1 teaspoon
butter
1/4 cup (for topping)
all-purpose flour
3/4 cup (for topping)
sugar
3/4 cup (for topping)
Instructions
1
FILLING: In a saucepan, combine the rhubarb, mashed strawberries, and lemon juice. Cover and cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes until the fruits begin to soften. In a small bowl, mix the sugar and cornstarch together, then stir this mixture into the strawberry mixture. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens. Once thickened, remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
2
CAKE: In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 cup of sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Using a pastry blender or your fingers, cut in the chilled butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla extract until well combined. Pour the buttermilk mixture into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined.
3
Spread half of the batter evenly into a greased 9x13x2-inch baking dish. Carefully pour the strawberry-rhubarb filling over the top of the batter. Using a tablespoon, drop spoonfuls of the remaining batter evenly over the filling, covering it as best as possible.
4
TOPPING: In a small saucepan over low heat, melt 1/4 cup of butter. Once melted, remove from heat and stir in 3/4 cup of flour and 3/4 cup of sugar, creating a crumbly mixture. Sprinkle this crumble topping over the batter.
5
Bake the cake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for approximately 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool on a wire rack before cutting into squares and serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Delightful Strawberry-Rhubarb Crumble Cake?
It is a moist coffee cake that combines tart rhubarb and sweet strawberries, topped with a generous crumble, inspired by southern cuisine.
Can I use frozen rhubarb for this recipe?
Yes, you can use either fresh or frozen rhubarb cut into 1-inch pieces.
How should the strawberries be prepared?
You should use 2 pints of strawberries and mash them before adding them to the filling.
How do I thicken the strawberry-rhubarb filling?
The filling is thickened by mixing 1/3 cup of cornstarch with sugar and stirring it into the fruit mixture while boiling.
What size baking dish is required?
You will need a greased 9x13x2-inch baking dish.
What is the recommended baking temperature?
The cake should be baked in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C).
How long should the cake bake?
Bake the cake for approximately 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
How is the butter added to the cake batter?
The 1 cup of chilled butter should be cut into small pieces and then cut into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
What wet ingredients are used in the cake layer?
The wet ingredients include 1 1/2 cups of buttermilk, 2 eggs, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
How do I assemble the layers of the cake?
Spread half the batter in the dish, pour the fruit filling over it, drop spoonfuls of the remaining batter on top, and finish with the crumble.
What goes into the crumble topping?
The topping consists of 1/4 cup melted butter, 3/4 cup flour, and 3/4 cup sugar.
How much lemon juice is needed for the filling?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
What is the best way to serve this cake?
It is best served warm with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Can I eat this for breakfast?
Yes, it is categorized as a coffee cake and is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 17 ingredients in total, including items for the filling, cake, and topping.
How do I prepare the rhubarb?
You need 3 cups of rhubarb cut into 1-inch pieces.
Is baking soda or baking powder used?
Both are used; the recipe requires 1 teaspoon of baking powder and 1 teaspoon of baking soda.
How much sugar is in the cake batter itself?
The cake batter requires 1 cup of sugar.
What type of flour should I use?
The recipe specifies all-purpose flour for both the cake and the topping.
Should I cool the cake before serving?
Yes, allow the cake to cool on a wire rack before cutting it into squares.
How do I make the crumble topping?
Melt 1/4 cup of butter, then stir in 3/4 cup flour and 3/4 cup sugar until the mixture is crumbly.
How do I cook the fruit filling?
Combine rhubarb, strawberries, and lemon juice in a saucepan, cover and cook for 5 minutes before adding sugar and cornstarch.
How much salt is in the recipe?
The cake batter contains 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
What gives the cake its moist texture?
The combination of 1 1/2 cups of buttermilk and 1 cup of butter creates a very moist crumb.
Can I use a pastry blender for the batter?
Yes, a pastry blender is recommended to cut the chilled butter into the flour mixture.
What happens if the filling is too thin?
Ensure you bring the mixture to a boil while stirring constantly so the cornstarch can properly thicken it.
Is this a traditional Southern recipe?
It is inspired by culinary treasures found in the Guide to Southern Cuisine.
How much sugar is needed in total for all layers?
You need 1 cup for the filling, 1 cup for the batter, and 3/4 cup for the topping.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include coffee cake, strawberry rhubarb, dessert, breakfast, and southern cuisine.
Is the cake batter stirred vigorously?
No, you should stir the buttermilk mixture into the dry ingredients gently until just combined.