I discovered the recipe last July, late-ish as far as rhubarb season goes, and managed to make it a few times before summer ended and my attention turned to Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, and all the winter squashes. But I dreamed about this cake all winter, contemplating many a variation with apple or pear or quince, none of which materialized. When I made this cake last week for the first time in months, I was reminded why I love it so much: its custardy texture, its sugary crust, its perfect sweet-tart flavor profile. Plus: rhubarb. Is there anything better? This cake comes together relatively quickly, too, requiring three basic steps: 1. Mixing the dry ingredients. 2. Beating eggs with sugar. 3. Whisking wet ingredients. After you combine these three elements, you arrange rhubarb slices on top and pop it to the oven. Forty-five minutes later it’s done, emerging with sugary rhubarb slices bobbing in a custardy but cake-y base. I find this cake tastes best the day it is made, though it makes a fine breakfast on day two. With that in mind, I wouldn’t hesitate to serve this as part of a festive spring brunch.
A Few Tips
If you’ve seen the BA photo of this cake, you may feel inspired to arrange your rhubarb slices artfully atop the cake batter, perhaps in a chevron or herringbone motif. I encourage you mostly not to bother — most of the slices will sink below the surface of the batter, rendering your efforts fruitless. But if you are eager to try, here are a few things I have found helpful for keeping those rhubarb slices afloat:
Chill the batter longer than the recommended 10 minutes. Let the butter cool to room temperature — not so that it begins to firm up, but so that it is in fact cool to the touch. Cut wide slices of rhubarb lengthwise in half or into thirds before cutting them crosswise to ensure the pieces are as light as possible. Use all 13 oz. of rhubarb, laying the pieces of rhubarb that do not fit in a single layer on top of the first layer.
That’s it! I hope you make and love this one. PS: Rhubarb-Frangipane Galette | Rhubarb Schnapps | Buttermilk Panna Cotta with Rhubarb Compote Here’s the play-by-play: Steel yourself for a three-bowl job — don’t worry; it comes together quickly. The batter needs to rest for at least 10 minutes in the fridge before receiving its rhubarb topping. 4.8 from 25 reviews Notes:
It is not recommended to mix the batter for this cake in a mixer, and there is no need — with about a minute of vigorous beating with a whisk, the eggs and sugar become lemony in color and thick and ribbony in texture. If you are avoiding alcohol, substitute a tablespoon of vanilla for the rum. Your rhubarb slices, no matter how lightly you place them atop the batter, will mostly sink. A few things I have found that help keep them afloat: 1. Chill the batter for longer than the recommended 10 minutes. 2. Let the butter cool to room temperature. 3. Use all 13 oz. of rhubarb, laying the pieces of rhubarb that do not fit in a single layer on top of the first layer. Original recipe calls for buttering and flouring the pan, but I like to use sugar — it creates an irresistible crust.
