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    Home » Recipes » Breakfast & Brunch

    Published: Jun 24, 2020 · Updated: Apr 10, 2024 by Becky Sue

    Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake

    ↓ Jump to Recipe

    This Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake is a made with a light and tender coffee cake layered in jammy, sweet strawberries and tart rhubarb. It's finished in a crumbly, ginger streusel topping, blanketing the cake in warm and homey comfort.

    Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake by Baking The Goods
    Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake by Baking The Goods.

    Coffee cake is one of those evergreen baked goods that's always a good idea. Think about it. When have you ever turned down a slice of soft and crumbly coffee cake? Likely never. This Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake is no exception. It's always in style and pairs well with any occasion – any time of day.

    Much like this Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake, some things never go out of style

    Take the sturdy and sculptural design of the Wishbone Chair, designed by Hans Wegner in 1949. If that segue from food to design seems strange, I'll let you in on a little known fact. I have a degree in Interior Design and worked in the industry early in my career.

    It was one of my first real passions and continues to be a source of inspiration in my life. Maybe it's no surprise, then, that I apply design principles to my food styling and photography. Design knows no borders.

    I took a furniture design course 18 years ago and fell hard and fast for early 20th century Modernism and Mid-Century Modern furniture. I can name pretty much any piece of that era, tell you when it was designed and by whom. My interest in interior design may border on obsession but I'm ok with that.

    When the opportunity to work with Eternity Modern came up late last year, I was thrilled! I started designing our new space around two classic pieces over which I've swooned for nearly 2 decades: the Wishbone Chair with its supportive stature and elegant lines and the Womb Chair with its inviting curves and comforting shape.

    Incorporating these chairs into our home has cemented the style of our living space. These pieces have become a respite from the chaotic business of daily life. Finding a peaceful moment snuggled up in my customized Womb Chair with a slice Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake has been like a small vacation during this time of lockdown.

    Wishbone Chair in black
    The striking architectural lines of the Wishbone Chair had my heart from day 1.
    Enjoying Coffee Cake in Womb Chair
    This is the happiest corner in my house. You can't beat the comforting combo of the Womb Chair and a slice of Coffee Cake.

    Every morning, I pull up a Wishbone Chair and sit with my cup of coffee at a farm table from my Great Grandmother's home. It lived in her farmhouse for 50+ years. My sweet husband lovingly refinished this family heirloom to fit with the aesthetic of our new home. Our 4 Eternity Modern Wishbone Dining Chairs, in the black satin finish, seem destined to be paired together with Grammy's farm table.

    Strawberry & Rhubarb are a seasonal match that captures the spirit of spring

    Another brilliant design is the alignment of strawberry and rhubarb season. Thanks Mother Nature! They both start popping up in springtime and coincidentally make for one of the most classic flavor combinations ever. The soft sweetness of the strawberries against the intensely tart flavor of rhubarb is a balanced and beloved pairing that gives this Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake it's springy spirit.

    More Strawberry Rhubarb recipes to inspire your spring baking

    Check out The Best-Ever Rhubarb Recipes on California Grown for more springy rhubarb recipes!

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    • Rhubarb Rose Strawberry Pistachio Galettes, a rustic and refined bouquet for flavor.
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    This Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake is a fresh and modern take on classic coffee cake

    Whether it's furniture or baked goods, modern classics have my heart. For me, they evoke a feeling of comfort while simultaneously feeling like a fresh idea. To bring it full circle, this springy Coffee Cake is a fresh, modern take on a comfy, classic coffee cake. The freshness of strawberries and rhubarb gives new life to a traditional coffee cake recipe.

    Becky Sue enjoying Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake
    There is nothing better than pulling up a chair, settling in and enjoy a long, slow, morning moment with a fresh slice of Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake.
    Womb Chair & coffee cake
    The Womb Chair & coffee cake, a classic combo that never goes out of style.

    Coffee cake is an easy baker that doesn't require much more than a cake pan, a couple of bowls and a spatula

    This soft and tender coffee cake is topped with a bright and zesty mix of roughly chopped strawberries and rhubarb. Then, it's all blanketed in a cozy streusel topping. It bakes up in less than an hour and comes out of the oven with a triple threat of layered loveliness.

    How to make this easy Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake

    Coffee cakes are the best because they come together in just a few simple steps. They are a low commitment cake with big, cozy rewards. You really can't beat an easy coffee cake recipe and this Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake is as easy as it gets.

    Squish together the Ginger Streusel Topping

    First, mix up the ginger streusel topping. Combine the dry ingredients; flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, ground ginger and fine sea salt. Then whisk them together. Next, add the cold cubed butter and use your hands or a pastry blender to squishing the butter into the dry ingredients until crumbly. Aim for peas sized granules.

    Make the Strawberry Rhubarb filling

    The strawberry rhubarb filling is as easy as can be. All you do is combine the roughly chopped strawberries and rhubarb in a mixing bowl. Then add the zest of one lemon and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. Toss to combine and set aside. We don't even add sugar to this layer since the strawberries are so sweet and the streusel topping will sink in and sweeten up the filling. Plus, it allows the tartness of the rhubarb to really zing with zest!

    Strawberries and Rhubarb
    Fresh strawberries and rhubarb make for a bright and fruity filling in this coffee cake recipe.
    Strawberry Rhubarb and lemon coffee cake filling
    The strawberry rhubarb filling is just a simple mix of roughly chopped strawberries and rhubarb with a hit of lemon zest and juice.

    Mix the Coffee Cake Batter

    First, sift together the dry ingredients; flour, granulated sugar, baking powder and fine sea salt and make a well in the center. Then whisk the melted and cooled butter together with the eggs and vanilla in a separate bowl. Next, pour the wet mixture into the well. Then spoon the Greek yogurt onto the edges of the dry ingredients around the bowl and use a spatula to gently fold the dry ingredients in with the wet ingredients, gently pulling the yogurt into the mix.

    Coffee cake crumble top
    The crumble top is a simple mix of butter, flour, sugar, brown sugar, ginger and salt. It comes together easily with a pastry cutter or just by squishing the ingredients together between your fingers.
    Coffee Cake folding ingredients
    The coffee cake batter mixes up in a single bowl by gently folding together the wet ingredients, the dry ingredients and Greek yogurt or sour cream.
    Coffee Cake batter
    Mix the coffee cake batter until it just comes together. It's ok if it's a little lumpy and contains floury patches. You don't want to over-mix the batter.

    Greek yogurt gives the Coffee Cake a tender crumb and a hint of tanginess This creates an airy, soft crumb indicative of classic coffee cake. For an even tangier option, replace the Greek yogurt with sour cream!

    Assemble the Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake in 3 layers

    The Rhubarb Strawberry Coffee Cake assembles in just a few simple steps. This is a rustic cake with 3 distinct layers that all work together and create the best coffee cake ever!

    • Layer 1: Coffee Cake. First the coffee cake batter is added to the prepared cake pan. Then smoothed out in an even base layer.
    • Layer 2: Strawberries and Rhubarb. This step couldn't be easier. Just layer on the roughly chopped strawberries and rhubarb in an even layer over the coffee cake batter.
    • Layer 3: Streusel Topping. The last step is covering the strawberries and rhubarb with the ginger scented streusel topping. That's it! Now the Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake is ready to bake!
    Coffee Cake batter in pan
    First, add the coffee cake batter to the prepared cake pan and smooth it out in an even layer.
    Coffee Cake topped with strawberries & rhubarb
    Next, top the coffee cake batter with the roughly chopped strawberries and rhubarb. So simple.
    Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake streusel topping
    Finally, layer on the streusel topping. Now this baby is ready to bake.

    The strawberry rhubarb filling layer melts together in a jammy stripe of concentrated fruit flavor. Then, the streusel topping sinks into the fruit layer and adds a textural crumble with warm hints of ginger. The 3 layers work together by design, and they compliment each other beautifully.

    Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake cooling
    You've got to let the Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake cool at least a little bit before slicing into this beauty.
    Slice of Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake
    3 simple layers make this Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake extra special

    Pairing this new Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake recipe with my new furniture in our new home fulfills the nostalgia and comfort for which I've always aspired. You really can't beat a classic.

    This post was made is in partnership with Eternity Modern. Follow Eternity Modern on Instagram and Facebook or check out eternitymodern.com to shop their impressive lineup of affordable timelessly modern furniture. 

    Thank you for supporting me and the brands that I love! <3

    Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake slices
    One slice is nice but this recipe makes a big batch so you might as well go for that second slice!
    Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake with coffee
    I think it goes without saying, this Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake should be served with a hot pot of coffee and shared with loved ones.
    Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake bite
    Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake, you can't beat a classic with a seasonal, modern twist.
    Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake for breakfast
    Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake for everyone!
    Print

    Recipe

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    Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake by Baking The Goods

    Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake


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    5 from 1 review

    • Author: Becky Sue of Baking The Goods
    • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
    • Yield: 12 servings
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    This Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake is a light and tender cake topped with jammy, sweet strawberries & tart rhubarb with a crumbly, ginger streusel topping.


    Ingredients

    Units

    STREUSEL TOPPING

    • ½ cup unsalted butter, cold & cut into ¼" cubes
    • 1 ¼ cups all purpose flour
    • ½ cup granulated sugar
    • ¼ cup brown sugar
    • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
    • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt

    COFFEE CAKE

    • 2 cups rhubarb, chopped into ½" - 1" chunks
    • 2 cups chopped strawberries, chopped into ½" - 1" chunks
    • 1 medium lemon, zested and juiced
    • 3 cups all purpose flour
    • ¾ cups granulated sugar
    • 1 tablespoon baking powder
    • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
    • 4 large eggs
    • ¾ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled (1 ½ sticks)
    • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
    • 1 ½ cups Greek yogurt or sour cream, at room temperature

    Instructions

    PRE-PREP

    1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease and flour or sugar a 9" x 13" baking pan. I like using granulated sugar in place of flour. It works like a charm and gives a teeny touch of extra sweetness to the bottom and sides of the cake.
    2. Combine the roughly chopped strawberries and rhubarb in a mixing bowl, add the zest of one lemon and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. Toss to combine. Set aside.

    STREUSEL TOPPING

    1. Whisk the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, ginger and salt together in a mixing bowl.
    2. Add the cold, cubed butter and use a pastry blender or squish between your fingers to combine the ingredients until crumbly. Place in the fridge or freezer to chill while you prepare the cake.

    STRAWBERRY RHUBARB COFFEE CAKE

    1. Melt butter in a pot on the stove over medium-low heat or in a microwave. Place in the fridge or set aside to cool.
    2. In a large mixing bowl, sift the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt together. Make a well in the center.
    3. In another mixing bowl, whisk the melted and cooled butter together with the eggs and vanilla.
    4. Pour the wet mixture into the well of the dry ingredients bowl. Then spoon the Greek yogurt onto the edges of the dry ingredients around the bowl. Use a spatula to gently fold the dry ingredients in with the wet ingredients and gently pull the yogurt into the mix. Be sure to scrape around the bottom and sides of the bowl as you fold the ingredients together but be careful not to over-mix. It's fine if there are still some floury patches.
    5. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Then add the strawberries and rhubarb in an even layer. Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the fruit.
    6. Bake for 45-ish minutes, rotating the pan halfway through the bake time. The streusel should be a warm, golden brown and a skewer inserted into the center should come out clean.
    7. Allow to cool 15-20 minutes before slicing. Cut into 12 large pieces or 16 smaller pieces. And serve it warm with hot coffee, obviously.
    • Prep Time: 20 minutes
    • Cook Time: 45 minutes

    Need help? Hot tip?

    Find Baking the Goods on Instagram & Pinterest, or let's chat about how you can work with me.

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    1. Gail P Cassidy says

      May 05, 2024 at 8:07 am

      I just made this with new season fruit. Every part was delicious. My one complaint is that for me the cake/fruit balance was too light on the fruit. I think I would double the fruit next time and see how that fares. Thank you for the recipes!

      Reply
      • Becky Sue says

        May 06, 2024 at 8:41 am

        Let me know how it goes with doubling the fruit! Sounds delicious that way too. 🙂

        Reply

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