It's no secret that Peony's Rhubarb Cake is a favourite at West Line Ranch! The tang of the rhubarb paired with the sweetness of a traditional coffee cake makes for a winning combination! Just ask Keith, he'll tell you!
This recipe can be pressed into a 9 x 13 baking dish, or into a bread loaf pan. Peony swears by the loaf pan, because the slices are perfect as a quick snack. She even has a special pan she uses, a vintage corningware with strawberries. Jake's not allowed to use that pan , and he won't make this recipe out of deference to Peony and her own kitchen skills, no matter how much Liz begs for him to try his hand at it.
Peony is happy to share the recipe, but where it came from she will never tell! She will, however, divulge that this was Brett's favourite. Someday she might even tell you the story of why. 😘
Cake Ingredients
- 1⁄2 cup butter
- 1 1⁄2 cups granulated sugar - superfine works really well
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup sour cream - use full fat, low fat makes the cake soggy
- 1 teaspoon real vanilla
- 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- Pinch of salt
- 2 cups finely chopped fresh rhubarb - you can use frozen, make sure it is thawed and drained first
Optional: 1 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans
Topping - reduce by ⅓ if using a loaf pan instead of 9 x 13
- 1⁄2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon butter, softened, not melted!
Optional: ⅛ teaspoon of nutmeg, dried strawberries to taste
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F - if you baking dish is metal or dark glass, 325°F.
2. Cream butter and sugar together in mixing bowl until fluffy.
3. Beat in eggs one at a time.
4. Combine sour cream and vanilla and stir into wet ingredients.
5. Mix flour, baking soda and salt together and sift into batter, folding into the batter once fully sifted.
6. Stir in rhubarb, roughly, don't overmix the batter!
7. Turn into greased pan.
Tip: If using a loaf pan, line bottom and sides with strips of parchment paper after greasing to help lift the loaf out.
8. To make topping - Mix all ingredients together until crumbly and sprinkle generously overtop
9. Bake 30-40 minutes until done, using a cake tester in the centre of the loaf. When it comes out dry (or just with crumbs on it) the cake is ready.
10. Allow to cool, then lift out (loaf pan) or cut into squares to serve.
Tip: serve warm with a swipe of butter and your favourite coffee beverage ♥
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Western Spark
RomanceA collection of prequel short stories, deleted scenes, and maybe a recipe or two, all from the West Brothers series! How did Peony first come to the ranch? What was Brett really like? Meet the people and the animals that make West Line Ranch not ju...
