Rhubarb Cake Recipes | 3 Vintage Rhubarb Cakes & Rhubarb Crunch

Rhubarb Cake Recipes

These old-fashioned rhubarb cakes are sweet-tart, simple, and made for classic sheet pans. Choose Rhubarb Cake #1 with a cinnamon-nut topping, a quick Rhubarb Crunch, or Rhubarb Cake #2 with brown sugar and a cinnamon sprinkle.

Use the jump links to pick a recipe, then scroll for ingredients and step-by-step instructions. The FAQ includes tips for frozen rhubarb, sour milk, and freezing.

Recipes on this page

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🍰 Rhubarb Cake - 1

A moist sour milk rhubarb cake with a sweet cinnamon-nut topping.

🌡️ Oven Temp: 350°F ⏱️ Bake Time: 1 hour 🍽️ Servings: 12 🍳 Equipment: 9×13×2-inch pan

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1/2 cup shortening
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 cup sour milk
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • 3 cups rhubarb, finely cut

Topping

  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup chopped nuts
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • Optional: 1/4 cup colored candy sprinkles

Instructions

  1. Grease a 9×13×2-inch pan.
  2. Cream sugar and shortening; add salt and egg.
  3. Stir baking soda into sour milk. Add sour milk alternately with flour to the creamed mixture.
  4. Stir in rhubarb. Spread batter in pan.
  5. Mix topping and sprinkle over batter (add candy sprinkles if desired).
  6. Bake about 1 hour.

🍰 Rhubarb Crunch

A rich, cake-like rhubarb dessert with sour cream and a sugar-cinnamon sprinkle topping.

🌡️ Oven Temp: 350°F ⏱️ Bake Time: 40 minutes 🍽️ Servings: 12 🍳 Equipment: 9×13×2-inch pan

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup shortening
  • 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 cup sour cream or sour milk
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1/2 cup chopped nuts
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped raw rhubarb
  • Sugar and cinnamon (to sprinkle on top)

Instructions

  1. Grease a 9×13×2-inch pan.
  2. Mix ingredients in the order given; stir in nuts and rhubarb.
  3. Spread in pan and sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon.
  4. Bake about 40 minutes.

🍰 Rhubarb Cake - 2

Buttermilk rhubarb cake with a simple brown sugar-cinnamon topping.

🌡️ Oven Temp: 350°F ⏱️ Bake Time: 40 minutes 🍽️ Servings: 12 🍳 Equipment: 8×13-inch baking pan

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1 egg, well beaten
  • 2 cups flour, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 2 cups rhubarb, finely cut

Topping

  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Grease an 8×13-inch baking pan.
  2. Cream brown sugar and butter; add well-beaten egg.
  3. Sift dry ingredients.
  4. Add dry ingredients alternately with buttermilk and beat thoroughly.
  5. Fold finely cut rhubarb into the batter and spread in the pan.
  6. Mix topping brown sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over the batter.
  7. Bake about 40 minutes.

Rhubarb Cakes FAQ

Do I use fresh or frozen rhubarb?

Fresh rhubarb is ideal, but frozen works too. If using frozen, thaw and drain excess liquid so the cake doesn’t get soggy.

What is sour milk?

Sour milk can be made by adding 1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice to 1 cup of milk and letting it stand 5–10 minutes.

Do these cakes freeze well?

Yes. Cool completely, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to 2–3 months.

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