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Rustic Rhubarb Upside-Down Cake

Rustic Rhubarb Upside-Down Cake - featured image
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A simple, rustic upside-down cake featuring caramelized rhubarb with a hint of cinnamon atop a tender buttery cake. Perfect for spring and summer gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups rhubarb, chopped into 1-inch pieces (fresh or thawed frozen)
  • ½ cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup buttermilk (or ½ cup milk + 1 teaspoon lemon juice)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Toss chopped rhubarb with brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter until evenly coated. Spread mixture evenly over the bottom of a greased 9-inch cake pan or cast iron skillet.
  2. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. Using a mixer, beat softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Beat in eggs one at a time, fully incorporating each before adding the next. Add vanilla extract.
  5. Add dry ingredients in three additions, alternating with buttermilk, starting and ending with dry ingredients. Mix gently until just combined.
  6. Pour batter over the rhubarb layer, smoothing the top with a spatula.
  7. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean and the rhubarb topping is bubbly and caramelized.
  8. Let cake cool in the pan for about 15 minutes. Run a knife around edges to loosen, then carefully invert onto a serving plate.

Notes

If topping bubbles too aggressively or burns, tent with foil halfway through baking. Let cake cool before flipping to keep topping intact. For dairy-free version, substitute butter with coconut oil and buttermilk with plant-based milk plus vinegar. Frozen rhubarb should be thawed and drained well to avoid sogginess.

Nutrition

Keywords: rhubarb cake, upside-down cake, rustic cake, spring dessert, caramelized rhubarb, easy cake recipe, farmstand dessert

Find it online: https://lirafood.com/rustic-rhubarb-upside-down-cake-recipe-easy-farmstand-classic-guide/