Almond-Rhubarb Snack Cake
June 4, 2010 at 2:03 pm | Posted in cakes & tortes, simple cakes, sweet things | 12 Comments
‘Tis the season for me to be churning out rhubarb compote by the buckful. It really turns my morning granola into something extra-special, but I’m always looking for new things to make with rhubarb, too, and this Almond-Rhubarb Snack Cake is a prime example of how nice it is in baked goods. Frankly, anything that calls itself a “snack cake” has my immediate attention. Usually snack cakes are really easy to make and stay nice and moist for a solid few days. And I love the thought of snacking on cake, even if I am really desserting on it instead.
This simple cake was just what I was hoping it would be– sweet and tart all at once. The flaked almond topping is a nice touch…it gives a good crunch, but you could certainly skip it if you’d rather forgo the extra sugar. Be sure to cut the rhubarb into the nice, thin slices recommended. It cooks quickly and evenly that way, and gives the cake almost puddingy soft insides.
Almond-Rhubarb Snack Cake– makes one 9-inch round cake
adapted from Baking for All Occasions by Flo Braker
Steph’s Note: A half recipe bakes up nicely in a loaf pan. Just be sure to start checking it 10-15 minutes early, as it will take less time to bake.
For the Cake
1 ¾ cup (7 oz/200g) cake flour
½ t baking soda
¼ t salt
1/8 t baking powder
4 oz unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup (7 oz/200g) granulated sugar
½ t pure almond extract
½ t pure vanilla extract
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
¾ cup (6 fl oz/180ml) well-shaken buttermilk
4 ½ oz narrow rhubarb stalks (about 3), trimmed and cut into 1/8-inch thick slices, to yield 1 cup packed
½ cup natural or blanched sliced almonds
For the Almond Topping
2 T unsalted butter, melted
1 T all-purpose flour
1 T heavy cream
½ cup (2 ¼ oz/65g) granulated sugar
½ cup (1 oz/30g) natural or blanched sliced almonds
-Before baking, centre a rack in the oven and preheat oven to 350°F. Butter a 9-inch round springform pan with 2 3/4- or 3-inch sides. Line the bottom with parchment paper.
-To make the cake: Have all ingredients at room temperature. Sift together flour, baking soda, salt and baking powder onto a sheet of waxed paper; set aside. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter on medium speed until smooth and creamy, 30 to 45 seconds. Add sugar in steady stream, stopping the mixer occasionally to scrape down the sides of the bowl. Continue to beat on medium speed until mixture is very light in color and texture, about 3 minutes. Add the extracts during the final moments of mixing.
-With mixer on medium speed, add the eggs, about 3 T at a time, beating after each addition until incorporated. When mixture is fluffy, reduce speed to low and add flour mixture in three additions alternately with the buttermilk in two additions, beginning and ending with the flour mixture and mixing after each addition only until incorporated. Stop mixer and scrape down sides of the bowl after each addition. Fold in the rhubarb slices and almonds with a rubber spatula. Spoon the batter into the pan and spread evenly with the spatula.
-Bake the cake until a round wooden toothpick inserted in the centre comes out free of cake batter, 40-45 minutes.
-About 15 minutes before the cake is ready, begin making the Almond Topping: In a small saucepan, mix together the butter, flour, cream, and sugar and stir over low heat just until blended.
-About 10 minutes before the cake is ready, remove the cake from the oven, pour the topping mixture over it and sprinkle the almonds over the top. Return the cake to the oven and bake until the topping spreads over the cake and just begins to bubble, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool in the pan for about 20 minutes.
-Slowly release the springform clasp and carefully remove the pan sides. Let the cake cool on its base on the rack for 10 minutes longer. Then invert a wire rack on top of the cake, invert the cake onto it, and carefully lift off the base. Slowly peel off the parchment liner, turn it over so that the sticky side faces up, and reposition it on top of the cake. Invert another rack on top, invert the cake so it is right side up, and remove the original rack. Let cool completely.
-Serve at room temperature, cut into wedges with a sharp knife. Cover any leftover cake with aluminum foil and store at cool room temperature for up to 2 days.
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I’m with you on the bucketfuls of rhubarb compote! Love it! I made jam out of about 3 kilograms of it, and baked lots too, and dedicated quite a few posts to the stuff. I was looking for a simple cake to make, and saw this one (I have the book from the library). I decided on a rhubarb orange cake from another book, but glad to know this one is a good one too. Looks lovely in the pic!
Comment by Mary— June 5, 2010 #
I’ve got lots of rhubarb growing too, so I’m always looking for new ways to use it. This looks delicious, especially the topping – it would be a shame to leave it off just for the sake of a few calories!
Comment by Suelle— June 5, 2010 #
I love the look and the flavor profile here. Have got to try it.
Comment by Ciaochowlinda— June 5, 2010 #
I love baking with almonds. I love baking with rhubarb. How perfect to put the two together! What a lovely recipe….I look forward to making it myself. 🙂
Comment by Avril Miller— June 5, 2010 #
Looks gorgeous and I love the topping of crunchy sliced almonds. Must have been delicious too.
Comment by jo— June 6, 2010 #
Oooh wow almonds and rhubard together, i bet this is a delicious combo! Mmm!
Comment by Natalie— June 6, 2010 #
I agree, anything with ‘snack cake’ in the title automatically gets put on my ‘to bake’ list. It just makes the dessert so much more approachable when its still really just that, a dessert!
Comment by Allison— June 6, 2010 #
Snack cakes and quick breads are wonderful things – nice and simple, perfect with a cup of tea any time of day. So yes, I totally get your love for them 🙂 And now I’m wishing rhubarb wasn’t already out of season where I am!
Comment by Caitlin— June 6, 2010 #
I’m the exact same way, I pick up a bundle of rhubarb every Sunday at the farmers market and make my weekly batch of compote!
Comment by Hilary— June 6, 2010 #
This looks amazing! I am drooling over all of the rhubarb recipes out there. I want to try all of them, but I know it’s not possible! This cake looks like a definite winner though. 🙂
Comment by Allison— June 7, 2010 #
Looks great, especially with the almonds on top!
Comment by Allie— June 13, 2010 #
Oooh this looks delicious indeed. I love rhubarb and almonds but never had them together. I own Flo’s book (and have successfully baked several items from it already) but I don’t recall seeing this one. I have rhubarb galore in the garden so I can’t wait to try this one! Thanks!
Comment by Hanaa— June 23, 2010 #