Time to make the most of glorious rhubarb!
We turned to the delightful Liz Crow, aka Lizzie Baking Bird, who recalls her rhubarb encounters with a nostalgic chuckle, reminiscing about her grandma’s method of cooking it until it turned a dubious ‘shade of grey and was syrupy sweet’!
Thankfully, this didn’t deter her from experimenting with the vibrant stalks in her own kitchen.
Rather than cooking the fruit down, Lizzie throws it straight into her sweet cake batter, creating a lovely tart contrast that keeps us coming back for more. For those who like their rhubarb on the sweeter side, Lizzie suggests baking it for 15 minutes on a tray with a sprinkle of sugar and letting it cool before adding it to the cake.
If you’re not in the mood for a full-sized cake, fear not! This recipe can be easily halved and baked in a loaf tin, making it perfect for smaller gatherings or a cozy treat for yourself.
Ready to embrace the rhubarb revival? Let’s dive in!
Rhubarb & Vanilla Cake
Ingredients
Clean and chop 5-6 sticks of rhubarb. Cut into 2 cm pieces
140g butter, melted plus two tbsp
250g Sunflower oil
8 free range eggs
400g caster sugar plus two tbsp
1 tsp vanilla extract
425g flour
2 tsp baking powder
Grease and line a 9-inch square baking tin.
Bake in the oven at 180C/Gas 4
Method
Melt the butter, and add to the oil, eggs, and sugar in a mixing bowl.
Beat well for 2 or 3 minutes until the mix is lighter in colour.
Stir though the vanilla.
Add the flour with the baking powder and whisk until combined. Do not over mix.
Transfer the mix to the baking tin.
Scatter the rhubarb over the top of the cake.
Bake for 40 – 50 minutes until a skewer comes out clean and the cake is golden.
Final touches – Melt 2 tbsp butter and brush over the top of the cake and scatter 2 tbsp caster sugar over the top.
This cake is delicious served warm with custard or clotted cream. Enjoy!
For more delightful baking adventures and scrumptious treats, check out Lizzie’s website at lizziebakingbird.co.uk.
Happy baking!
Photo credits: Lara Jane Thorpe Photography
