Rhubarb Cake

Yesterday we had a dinner guest, and that's always an occasion calling for dessert.  Since I have plentiful rhubarb growing in the garden I wanted to use it, but didn't have time to make a pie.  This cake ended up fitting the bill perfectly, and our guest liked it so much that she happily took several pieces home and asked for the recipe.  That was pretty impressive considering that she had never heard of rhubarb before!

RHUBARB CAKE

Topping:
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons flour
3 tablespoons butter

Cake:
1-1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup softened butter
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup buttermilk
2 cups finely chopped fresh rhubarb
1 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Grease a 13x9 inch baking pan.

Topping:
Mix the dry ingredients together, then cut in the butter until the mixture is crumbly.  Set aside.

Cake:
Cream the butter and sugar until fluffy, then beat in the egg and vanilla.  Add the salt and soda.  Beat in the flour alternately with the buttermilk.  Stir in the rhubarb and nuts.  Pour the batter into the greased baking pan.

Sprinkle the topping evenly over the cake.

Bake 45 minutes.

We enjoyed this served with sweetened whipped cream.  It would also be great served warm with ice cream.

Spring = Rhubarb!

The snow has finally melted, the lilacs are blooming, sun is shining....and my rhubarb plant is thriving.  Time to enjoy this unique taste of spring.  Here's a yummy snack idea to take advantage of the rhubarb that is at it's peak right now.  These are like the bar cookies I usually make with peach or apricot jam, and I think they are even better with rhubarb.  My son enjoyed these for snacking as well as for breakfast with a big glass of milk.

OATMEAL RHUBARB SQUARES

Filling:
3 cups fresh rhubarb, diced
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Crust:
1 1/2 cups oats (quick-cooking or regular rolled oats)
1 1/2 cups flour
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup chopped nuts

Filling:  Combine ingredients in a saucepan and cook until thickened, stirring frequently.  This will take about 10 minutes.

Crust:  Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Mix all ingredients until combined and crumbly.  Press 3/4 of the mixture into an ungreased 9x13 pan.  Pour the rhubarb filling over the crust.  Sprinkle remaining crumb mixture evenly over the top.  Bake 30 minutes.  Let cool before cutting into squares.  Refrigerate the leftovers.