Quick & Dreamy: Rhubarb Cake With Butter Sauce Recipe

Sweet, tangy rhubarb cake with butter sauce brings a burst of spring to your dessert table.

This classic recipe weaves together tart rhubarb flavors that dance across your palate with rich, creamy undertones.

Fresh rhubarb stalks create a vibrant foundation for a dessert that feels both comforting and exciting.

Seasonal ingredients blend seamlessly in this delightful treat that promises to impress.

The butter sauce adds a luxurious touch that elevates every single bite.

Bakers of all skill levels can craft this delectable masterpiece with simple techniques and minimal effort.

Prepare to indulge in a dessert that captures the essence of home-style baking with irresistible charm.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 455 kcal

Servings: 9

Rhubarb Cake With Butter Sauce Ingredient List

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structural foundation for the cake's tender crumb and smooth texture.
• Sugar: Sweetens and helps create a golden, caramelized exterior for the cake.
• Butter: Adds rich flavor and helps create a moist, tender cake texture.
• Egg: Binds ingredients together and provides structure to the cake.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor profile with warm, aromatic notes.
• Baking Soda: Helps the cake rise and creates a light, airy texture.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances other flavors in the cake.
• Buttermilk: Adds tanginess and helps create a soft, tender crumb.

• Rhubarb: Brings tart, vibrant flavor and adds beautiful color to the cake.

• Butter: Creates a rich, silky base for the sauce with deep, creamy flavor.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps thicken the sauce.
• Heavy Cream: Adds luxurious smoothness and helps create a glossy sauce texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Rounds out the sauce with subtle, warm undertones.

Kitchen Tools For Rhubarb Cake With Butter Sauce

• 9×13-inch Baking Dish: Perfect for spreading cake batter evenly and ensuring consistent baking.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Essential for creaming butter and sugar, and combining cake ingredients.
• Separate Small Bowl: Needed for whisking dry ingredients.
• Electric Mixer or Whisk: Critical for beating butter, sugar, and creating smooth cake batter.
• Saucepan: Used for preparing the rich butter sauce.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Spatula: Helpful for folding rhubarb into batter and scraping bowl sides.
• Toothpick: Useful for checking cake doneness.
• Wooden Spoon: Helpful for stirring butter sauce while cooking.

How To Bake Rhubarb Cake With Butter Sauce

• Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350F and grab a 9×13-inch baking dish. Give it a quick spray or butter rub to prevent sticking.

• Whip Together the Cake Base

Grab a mixing bowl and cream sugar and butter until they’re light and fluffy. Drop in the egg and vanilla, mixing until smooth. In another bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Slowly blend dry ingredients into the wet mixture, alternating with buttermilk. Gently fold in fresh rhubarb chunks.

• Bake to Perfection

Pour the batter into the prepared dish, spreading it evenly. Slide the dish into the hot oven and bake for 40-45 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should come out clean.

• Craft the Luscious Butter Sauce

In a small saucepan, combine butter, sugar, and cream. Bring to a gentle bubble, stirring constantly. Let it simmer for 3-5 minutes, then pull from heat. Stir in vanilla for an extra flavor kick.

• Serve and Enjoy

Cut the cake into generous slices. Drizzle the warm butter sauce generously over each piece. For extra indulgence, add a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Tips & Variations For Rhubarb Cake With Butter Sauce

• Perfect Baking Texture: Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth, even mixing and a consistent cake texture that's light and fluffy.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the cake batter and butter sauce a day in advance, storing them separately in the refrigerator to save time on serving day.
• Rhubarb Ripeness Hack: Choose bright pink or red stalks for the most vibrant color and sweetest flavor; avoid stringy or overly green rhubarb pieces.
• Diet-Friendly Twists: Swap regular flour with gluten-free flour blend for a celiac-friendly version, or use alternative sweeteners like coconut sugar for a lower-glycemic option.
• Seasonal Flavor Boost: Experiment with adding fresh strawberries or raspberries alongside rhubarb for a delightful summer fruit variation that complements the tangy rhubarb perfectly.

Serving Up Rhubarb Cake With Butter Sauce

• Rustic Farmhouse Dessert Plate: Slice the warm rhubarb cake onto a rustic wooden board, highlighting its homemade charm with a drizzle of golden butter sauce cascading over the top.
• Sweet Summer Brunch Companion: Pair this cake with fresh strawberries or a light citrus compote to complement the tangy rhubarb and create a bright morning flavor profile.
• Elegant Afternoon Tea Treat: Serve small cake squares on delicate china with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of powdered sugar, perfect for an elegant tea gathering with friends.
• Comforting Family Dessert: Present the cake in individual bowls with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, creating a nostalgic dessert that brings warmth and memories to the table.

Plan Ahead & Store Rhubarb Cake With Butter Sauce

• Smart Fridge Storage: Keep cake in an airtight container, refrigerated for 3-4 days. Separate sauce in a sealed glass jar, stays fresh up to 5 days.
• Freezing Strategy: Wrap cake tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze whole cake or individual slices for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving.
• Room Temperature Tip: Leave cake at ambient temperature for 30 minutes before serving to restore soft texture and enhance flavor profile. Ideal for gatherings and potlucks.
• Sauce Reheating Trick: Warm butter sauce gently in microwave or small saucepan, stirring occasionally. Add splash of cream if sauce appears too thick. Prevents separation and maintains silky consistency.

Mouthwatering Rhubarb Cake With Butter Sauce Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 9 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Luscious rhubarb cake with butter sauce delights dessert enthusiasts with its tangy sweetness. Homemade comfort emerges through simple ingredients and classic baking techniques that will satisfy seasonal cravings.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (480 ml) chopped fresh rhubarb
• 2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups (300 g) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk
• ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter (for cake)
• ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter (for sauce)
• 1 cup (200 g) sugar (for sauce)
• ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
• 1 egg
• 1 tbsp vinegar or lemon juice (for buttermilk substitution)
• 1 cup (240 ml) milk (alternative for buttermilk)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (for cake)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (for sauce)
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Oven Preparation: Calibrate oven to 350F (175C) and thoroughly grease a rectangular baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
2. Batter Creation: Cream sugar and butter until light and fluffy. Incorporate egg and vanilla, blending until smooth. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk to the butter mixture, mixing gently. Delicately fold rhubarb pieces throughout the batter, distributing evenly.
3. Baking Process: Pour batter into prepared pan, smoothing the surface. Bake in preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the top turns golden brown.
4. Butter Sauce Preparation: In a small saucepan, combine butter, sugar, and heavy cream. Bring to a gentle boil, stirring constantly to prevent burning. Reduce heat and simmer for 3-5 minutes, developing a rich caramel flavor. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
5. Serving Finale: Allow cake to cool slightly. Slice and plate individual servings, generously drizzling warm butter sauce over each piece. Optionally garnish with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra luxurious touch.

Notes

• Rhubarb Selection: Choose firm, bright red stalks without blemishes for the best flavor and texture. Younger, thinner stalks tend to be more tender and less stringy.
• Moisture Management: Pat rhubarb pieces dry before folding into batter to prevent excess liquid from making the cake soggy. Toss chopped rhubarb in a light dusting of flour to help prevent sinking.
• Baking Precision: Check cake doneness by inserting a toothpick near the center – it should come out clean with just a few moist crumbs. Avoid overbaking to maintain a moist, tender crumb.
• Sauce Smoothness: Stir butter sauce constantly to prevent burning and achieve a silky consistency. Remove from heat immediately when it reaches a gentle simmer to prevent separation or scorching.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 455
• Sugar: 37 g
• Sodium: 173 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 54 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 76 mg