Sunday, June 24, 2018

Dairy Royal Rhubarb Cake


Where, oh where did June go?  One week left and I can hardly believe it.  It's been a hectic, somewhat stressful time here at Savoring Time but not in an awful way...unless you count jury duty as awful :-)  Yes, I was summoned to appear at the Milwaukee County Courthouse for jury duty last week on the first nice day we had in almost a week.  Each time a list of 30 names was called for a jury panel, I held my breath.  Eventually, I made it through the long day without being called and had fulfilled my obligation.  But, not without coming down with the most awful chest cold I've had in several years.  Down.For.The.Count sick for several days and am still not quite 100% but getting there.  

If you ever get summoned for jury duty, please be sure to have a movie or two downloaded on your device, if you have one.  Or, at least bring a book or two to read.  The day can be very long and boring if you aren't called for a panel.  

In addition, my husband and I bought a very small investment home at the beginning of June.  This means I am the paint color, flooring, cabinets, countertops, appliances, light fixtures, and (just about everything else we need to purchase for the house) researcher and selector!

That is why this recipe has been in draft mode since June 3!  




Although it may not be the prettiest rhubarb cake, it makes up for it's humble appearance many times over in the taste department! It has a very moist crumb due to the sour cream used in the batter.  Topped with a plain cinnamon sugar, I made quick work of several pieces during and after taking these photos  :)

This recipe was given to me by my niece, who got it from a fellow teacher who shared it in the teacher's lunch room.  


Did you know that the earliest recorded rhubarb cultivation was in 2700 BC China?  It was originally use for medicinal purposes only (a purgative).  The word spread through Marco Polo and the first European cultivation was in Italy in the early 1600s and then about 30 years later in England, where it was also first used medicinally.  In the late 1700s there was the first recorded instance of rhubarb used as a food in Europe, mainly as a filling for pies and tarts.  Around 1800, the first American rhubarb was cultivated by a gardener in Maine who obtained root stock from Europe.  He introduced it to other growers in Maine.  Rhubarb spread quickly throughout the Northeast and Midwest as sugar became increasingly available.  

In the last 3 weeks, things have come and gone in the garden...although I am still able to pick rhubarb :)


The containers are finally starting to fill out.  Yellow, Purple, and Blue are definitely the colors of summer here.  


Enjoy!


Dairy Royal Rhubarb Cake

Printable Recipe

Note: I reduced the original recipe by about one-third and used a 9 x 9 inch pan. My amounts are in parentheses. If you make the full recipe, please use a 9 x 13 inch baking pan. 

2 1/3 (1-1/2) cups flour 
1 (1/2 + 1/4) teaspoon salt 
1 (1/2 + 1/4) teaspoon baking soda 
1-1/2 (1) cup brown sugar 
1/4 cup (2-1/2 tablespoons) butter, softened 
1 (2/3) cup sour cream 
1 (2 tablespoons + 1-1/2 teaspoons) egg... (take one small egg and break it into a cup, whisk and then measure)
1 (1/2 + 1/4) teaspoon vanilla 
4 (2-2/3) cup. fresh rhubarb cut in 1/4 inch slices 
3/4 (1/2) cup sugar 
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (I used cinnamon) 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

In large mixing bowl, sift flour, salt and soda. Add brown sugar, butter, sour cream, egg and vanilla. Beat until well blended. Fold in rhubarb. Pour into 9 x 13 (9 x 9) greased cake pan (I use Bakers Joy).

Combine sugar and nutmeg (or cinnamon) and sprinkle over top of cake batter. Bake for 40-45 minutes. Cool and serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, if desired.

55 comments:

  1. This year I still haven't had or baked anything with rhubarb. This looks so delicious and tempting! Cute serving tray, Susan.

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    1. Thank you, Angie! Rhubarb season is always a favorite of mine :) Serving tray is old...a wedding gift :)

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  2. Sounds good, I'm always looking for more ways to use rhubarb:@) Get well soon!

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  3. Beautiful cake and a terrific way to use rhubarb ;) So sorry you've been sick - I really hate to get sick. And an investment house - that is so brave! Renovation is not my favorite thing. Hope it goes wonderfully! Get well and happy summer!

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    1. There is nothing worse than a summer cold :( My energy is returning but it's taken a long long! It is a lot of work but kind of fun too! We have some great 'helpers' also. Thank you, Tricia!

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  4. I had no idea you had had a call to jury! Takes the patience of a saint I bet..Jacques would be tapping his feet.I didn't even know you have been sick..so you have been busy! Feel free to complain..Lord knows you've heard me enough times.
    Gardens and cake my dear..both works of your heart:)I wish my rhubarb was more prolific..it is just so good in desserts..funy I have already planned on more dk blue petunias in my pots next yr!

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    1. Thank you, Monique ♥ It was such a long day but I'm still grateful for not getting called for a jury panel. It would have been very interesting to hear a trial though. Just not right now! Had to hire some help with the garden. Things have gotten out of control, weed-wise and energy-wise with this cold. John has it now :(

      It takes a few years for rhubarb to really get going in the garden. Next year will be better! Look for Surfinia@ Heavenly Blue next year. Very prolific for me. I'm on my 3rd planting of nasturtium! :(

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    2. What's up w/ the nasturtiums! You are lucky to even find garden help when you are not a regular! I think that's what I have Heavenly Blue..will show..I have it w/ pink I want yellow next yr I want to add yellows to the pinks;)

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  5. I love Rhubarb and your cake looks wonderful as well as the setting.
    I'd love to pin it, but can't find your PINTEREST entry.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Fabby

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    1. Thank you, Fabby! I had to remove it to get my blog 'https' compliant. I'll see if I can find one that works! Thanks for pointing that out :)

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    2. I think I have it fixed now! Thanks again :)

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  6. Jury duty is always awful. Beautiful cake as always!! Hope you are feeling better this week, it's never fun being sick. New Home sounds fun! That is my favorite thing to do, renovations and decorating.... best of luck Susan!! And, I love your blooms - so beautiful!!
    xo Anna

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    1. You are so right :) At least I know I can't be summoned again for 4 more years! Thank you, Anna ♥

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  7. I was selected twice to serve on a jury. It was educational but very time consuming. I am sorry about your cold. I love rhubarb , I even made rhubarb ice cream. Your cake looks fantastic but I haven’t seen rhubarb anywhere so I have to wait until next year to make this delicious looking cake. Get well soon.

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    1. Thank you so much, Gerlinde! I've never tried rhubarb ice cream but I think I would love it :)

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  8. Our judicial system is totally free and it does not require a jury only the judge is responsible to deliver the verdict. I am sorry you have been sick, summer is the worst period for such thing! Your cake is delicious!

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    1. That is so interesting about your judicial system, Katerina! I'm not sure I'd want one person rather than 12 of my peers deciding my fate but it certainly does simplify things. I'll bet that does reduce the amount of litigation in your country which we have far too much of here. Thanks so much!

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  9. Yummy rhubarb cake. Looks simple and tasty. Nice to know about rhubarb history:)

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    1. Thanks so much WW! Yes, so easy to put together and oh, so tasty :)

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  10. Oh yum,I love rhubarb, especially in a cake form☺

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  11. Your blog is a feast for the eyes as well as the soul.

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  12. Yes I know what you say! I can't believe we are to the end of June !Love this cake Susan !!
    hugs!!

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  13. I live in dread that I’ll be called for jury duty. How unfair to show up and then get rewarded with a cold for your good deed in performing your civic duty.

    Oh I didn’t know about the history of rhubarb...how fascinating! It certainly is ubiquitous here. Nearly everyone has their coveted patch tucked in a corner somewhere.

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    1. Some people never get called! It was on our court system website that they use the motor vehicle driver's license registrations on not the voting lists (which is wise otherwise people wouldn't want to vote - LOL). Those of us who live in the Northeast and Midwest have lived with rhubarb all our lives :)

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  14. Oh Susan I am so sorry to hear that you have a chest cold and had to serve on a jury duty...I had been called on jury duty many times and had to serve a few times...I totally understand the frustration. Your rhubarb cake looks fabulous...I have not baked with rhubarb for a while...thanks for making all the calculation for a small size cake!
    I hope you get a full recovery soon...have a wonderful weekend!

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    1. Oh my goodness, you have had more than your fair share of jury duty, Juliana! Thanks so much for your well wishes, I'm feeling better every day :)

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  15. Rhubarb sounds and looks delicious! I had jury duty not too long ago, sat through it for 5 days when the parties reached an agreement and settled out of court. Pretty interesting case! Hope your cold is better!

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    1. I wouldn't mind being stuck in a trial in the middle of winter but was relieved it didn't happen in June! I'll bet that was interesting and good thing the jury didn't have to make the decision :)

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  16. the B & B commits me a lot but I want to find a minute to read your posts and to watch your beautiful photos! A warm hug

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    1. Thank you so much, Chiara! Such an exciting time for you and I wish you the best of good luck in your new venture!

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  17. The worst chest cold is surely not reward for having to go through the jury selection process. Poor you, Susan!!
    Thank you for the history on rhubarb. I wish I could taste and make your cake, but I've heard that rhubarb is selling for $10 a pound here in my area!! I did love your pretty tea setting, with your pretty dishes.
    Hope you're better by now. Thank you for visiting my blog.
    Happy baking!

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    1. So true :) Oh my goodness, that's expensive! Thankfully, I get mine for free in my garden :) I am better now, thanks so much, Kitty ♥

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  18. I actually have made anything with rhubarb. My mother used to use it occasionally but I just never developed a taste for it as a child. I should give it a try again with your recipe- Your teacups and saucers look just like my mother's set!!

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    1. I grew up eating it as my mother would always make rhubarb sauce from the patch in her garden. This would be a great way to give it a try again, Judee. The teacups and saucers belonged to my in-laws and they got them when they were first married in the early 40's :)

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  19. Sorry that you were sick...I'm just getting over something similar. Enjoyed your pretty photos from your garden as well as the recipe. Do you think frozen rhubarb would work as there is no rhubarb in our local stores here in my area of Florida.

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    1. Every 2-3 years I get a bad one and this was it! I think frozen rhubarb would work just fine (although I haven't tried it myself). I've read that you can add it without thawing also. Thanks, Karen!

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  20. This looks like a delicious tea time or coffee cake, Susan. I'm sorry to hear you were ill--I hope you are all better by now.

    I was picked for one jury in my life (civil suit) and then it turned out I knew both the defendant and the plaintiff! So crazy! I told the judge and he disqualified me.

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    1. Thank you, Pat! I am feeling better but still very busy with our home rehab project ;) That's so interesting about your jury case!

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  21. So sorry you were ill, but I hope you are feeling better now. Being called for jury duty leaves you in suspense until you know the term to be called is over. The cake sounds delicious. I'll have to remember this when we have rhubarb back in the markets next year.

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    1. It's been so hot our rhubarb is bolting now too and the stalks are starting to get thin. Might still taste good though :)

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  22. Dear Susan hope you are feeling better ! hugs !!

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  23. This looks like the perfect summer cake, Susan! I love the history you added about the cultivation of rhubarb, I had no idea where it originated from. :) Our summer is hectic too, I just added my first blog post after a full month of hecticness here! :) Hope you are having some fun decorating that little house!

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    1. Thank you, Marcelle! Glad to hear I'm not the only one with a lot on her plate ;)

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  24. I never say no to a beautifully made cake like this one!

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  25. You've certainly been busy with jury duty and home improvement work! So I can see why this recipe was in draft form (I do that a lot!). I like the sour cream in the ingredients! YUM! Our rhubarb is gone for the year, but maybe I can find some in the grocery store. If not, I'll have to make this next spring! Thanks for another great recipe!

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  26. Jury duty? They probably would have let you go sooner if you had bribed them with this cake! Love cakes like this. Now I think I will go steal some rhubarb from my neighbor's garden! Speaking of gardens, yours looks glorious!

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