Rhubarb Buckle is a delightful dessert that combines the tartness of rhubarb with a sweet, buttery cake, topped with a crumbly streusel. The term “buckle” refers to the cake’s surface buckling as the fruit sinks during baking, creating a charmingly rustic appearance. This dessert is perfect for showcasing seasonal rhubarb and can be enjoyed as a sweet treat during spring and summer gatherings.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the crumb topping:

• 1/2 cup (64 g) all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup light-brown sugar
• Pinch of salt
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

For the buckle:

• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1.5 cups (192 g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 12 oz (3 cups) diced rhubarb

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC) and position the rack in the center. Line a 9-inch square cake pan with parchment paper.
2. Prepare the crumb topping by combining 1/2 cup flour, brown sugar, a pinch of salt, and 4 tablespoons of melted butter in a medium bowl. Mix until crumbly, then refrigerate.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together the baking powder, 1.5 cups flour, salt, and granulated sugar. Add the melted butter, beaten eggs, sour cream, and vanilla extract. Stir until just combined.
4. Gently fold in the diced rhubarb until evenly distributed.
5. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the chilled crumb topping over the batter.
6. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until the crumb topping is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Allow the buckle to cool in the pan for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Nutrients

• Calories: Approximately 472 per serving

• Fat: 20g

  • Saturated Fat: 12g

• Carbohydrates: 65g

  • Fiber: 1g

  • Sugar: 39g

• Protein: 6g

• Cholesterol: 60mg

• Sodium: 150mg

• Calcium: 15% of the daily value

• Iron: 8% of the daily value

• Potassium: 120mg

What is Rhubarb Buckle?

Rhubarb buckle is a fruit-based cake that is typically made by mixing fresh rhubarb into a cake batter and topping it with a crumbly streusel mixture before baking. The rhubarb is the star of the dish, offering a tart and slightly tangy flavor that pairs beautifully with the sweet cake. As the buckle bakes, the fruit softens and sinks into the batter, which then “bucks” or folds around it, giving the dessert its name. The result is a beautiful cake with pockets of stewed fruit and a crumbly top that adds a delightful contrast in texture.

Buckle cakes were particularly popular in the United States during the 19th century and continue to be beloved today. They were often made as a way to use up seasonal fruits like blueberries, strawberries, and of course, rhubarb. Rhubarb’s natural tartness makes it an excellent pairing for the sweetness of cakes, and the subtle complexity of the fruit’s flavor really shines when baked into desserts like this one.

The History Behind Rhubarb Buckle

Rhubarb has been cultivated for centuries, dating back to ancient civilizations like the Greeks and Romans, who valued the plant not only for its culinary uses but also for its medicinal properties. However, it wasn’t until the 18th century that rhubarb began to make its way into European kitchens as a fruit used in pies, jams, and cakes. In America, rhubarb’s popularity grew rapidly during the 19th century, especially as people began to experiment with different ways of incorporating it into desserts.

Rhubarb buckle is a product of this creativity, as it was likely developed by early American settlers who were looking for new ways to incorporate the fresh, seasonal produce they had on hand into their cooking. Over time, this rustic dessert became a staple of many households, particularly in regions where rhubarb thrived, such as the Midwest and Northeast United States. Its popularity endures to this day, especially as people rediscover the joys of baking with seasonal fruits.

Why Rhubarb is Perfect for Baking

One of the reasons rhubarb works so well in baking is its high acidity. This acidity helps to balance out the sweetness of the sugar in desserts like rhubarb buckle. While other fruits like strawberries or apples might become overly sweet when baked, rhubarb maintains its bright, tart flavor, creating a more balanced dessert. This tartness is offset by the sweetness of the cake batter and the crumble topping, resulting in a dessert that is not overwhelmingly sweet but rather refreshingly tangy.

Rhubarb also has a high water content, which, when cooked, creates a lovely juiciness that blends seamlessly into the cake batter. This moist texture is one of the defining characteristics of rhubarb buckle, as the fruit’s juices mingle with the cake, producing pockets of flavor throughout the dessert.

Baking with Rhubarb: Tips for Success

When baking with rhubarb, there are a few tips to keep in mind to ensure success. First, always remove the leaves from the rhubarb stalks, as they are toxic and should not be eaten. Only the stalks should be used in cooking. Additionally, rhubarb can be quite fibrous, so it’s important to chop it into small, manageable pieces before adding it to your cake batter. For rhubarb buckle, the fruit is often diced into 1-inch pieces, which makes it easier to incorporate evenly into the cake.

If you find that rhubarb is too tart for your taste, you can reduce its sourness by sprinkling the chopped stalks with sugar and letting them sit for a few minutes. This process, called macerating, helps draw out some of the excess moisture and sweetness from the rhubarb. Another option is to combine rhubarb with other fruits, like strawberries or apples, to balance out its tartness. However, in the case of rhubarb buckle, the standalone flavor of the rhubarb is typically sufficient to create a deliciously tangy cake.

The Versatility of Rhubarb Buckle

One of the best things about rhubarb buckle is its versatility. While the recipe described here uses rhubarb as the main fruit, it can easily be adapted to use other fruits, such as strawberries, blueberries, or blackberries. This means that rhubarb buckle can be enjoyed year-round by simply swapping out the seasonal fruit. In the fall, for example, you could substitute apples or pears for the rhubarb to create a completely different flavor profile.

You can also experiment with the type of crumble topping used on your rhubarb buckle. Some people like to add nuts, such as walnuts or pecans, to the topping for added texture and flavor. Others may choose to add spices, like cinnamon or nutmeg, to enhance the overall flavor of the cake. These variations allow for endless creativity in the kitchen while still maintaining the essential characteristics of the dish.

How to Serve Rhubarb Buckle

Rhubarb buckle can be served in a variety of ways, making it a perfect choice for different occasions. For a more traditional presentation, serve it warm, straight from the pan, with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The warm, buttery cake and tangy fruit are complemented beautifully by the rich creaminess of the whipped topping. Alternatively, you can serve rhubarb buckle cold or at room temperature, which allows the flavors to set and gives the dessert a more firm texture.

Rhubarb buckle also makes a great addition to brunch spreads or afternoon tea. Its rustic charm and delightful balance of flavors make it a perfect choice for casual get-togethers or more formal gatherings. If you’re looking for a dessert that can be enjoyed with coffee or tea, rhubarb buckle is an ideal option.

Why Rhubarb Buckle is a Must-Try Dessert

Rhubarb buckle is a dessert that showcases the unique flavor of rhubarb, a fruit often overlooked in the world of baking. It strikes the perfect balance between sweet and tart, and its tender cake texture combined with a crisp streusel topping is irresistible. Whether you’re an experienced baker or a novice in the kitchen, rhubarb buckle is a relatively easy dessert to prepare, and it’s sure to impress friends and family alike.

Its versatility also means that it can be made with a variety of fruits and toppings, giving you endless options to tailor the recipe to your preferences. Additionally, the rhubarb buckle can be enjoyed year-round by using different seasonal fruits, making it a dessert that never goes out of style.

Conclusion

Rhubarb buckle is a timeless dessert that combines the beauty of seasonal fruit with the comforting flavors of cake. Its slightly tart rhubarb, soft cake, and crunchy streusel topping come together to create a balanced, flavorful treat that is both rustic and elegant. Whether you’re enjoying it warm with whipped cream or serving it cold for a casual brunch, rhubarb buckle is a versatile and delicious choice. It’s a great way to celebrate the arrival of rhubarb season and to introduce this unique fruit to anyone who hasn’t yet experienced its flavor.