Rhubarb Coffee Cake with Streusel

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This Rhubarb Coffee Cake recipe is topped with crunchy shortbread streusel and studded with fresh rhubarb. An easy-to-make breakfast cake recipe that’s perfect for spring and summer.

a piece of rhubarb coffee cake with a dollop of whipped cream

A piece of this 100% from scratch Rhubarb Coffee Cake topped with whipped cream is the perfect ending for every summer meal. This rhubarb 9×13″ cake is not only easy to make completely from scratch but it’s also a perfect dessert to make in advance. It tastes even better on the next day!

What does rhubarb taste like in a cake?

Rhubarb on its own can taste a bit tart but when it’s cooked down with a bit of sugar or baked into a rhubarb coffee cake, it becomes sweet with only a little bit of tartness left. It’s ideal in rhubarb recipes like rhubarb crisp, rhubarb pie, rhubarb bread and when paired with strawberries like in our strawberry rhubarb loaf.

How to Make Rhubarb Coffee Cake?

As a first step to making the rhubarb coffee cake, slice the fresh rhubarb. You don’t have to remove the strings from the rhubarb for baking. If the stalk is large, you can slice it lengthwise in half to make two thinner pieces. Then simply slice it into pieces about 1/4″ thick.

Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment combine butter, sugar, vanilla extract, and eggs. Mix for 3-4 minutes at medium speed until combined.
In a small bowl combine flour, baking powder, and salt. With the mixer running at low speed, alternately add flour mixture and milk in two portions. Mix until just combined. Don’t overmix.

Pour the coffee cake batter into prepared baking pan and spread evenly. Top with sliced rhubarb and spread evenly.

sliced rhubarb over cake batter in a pan

To make the streusel, combine flour, sugar, vanilla extract, salt, cinnamon, and butter in a bowl. Cut together with forks until all the flour is incorporated. Distribute the streusel evenly over the rhubarb.

crumb topping for rhubarb cake in a bowl

Bake the rhubarb coffee cake for about 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Storage Instructions

The rhubarb keeps the cake moist and fresh. You can make this rhubarb coffee cake one day in advance and store it covered at room temperature. Serve it with a big dollop of homemade whipped cream and you have the perfect summer dessert!