This coffee cake filled with the classic strawberry-rhubarb combo and topped with a crispy crumb topping is a perfect springtime treat!

Strawberry rhubarb coffee cake with streusel topping

One of my favorite signs of spring is the shoots of rhubarb that pop out of the ground in my backyard every March. It means winter is over! And more importantly, that I can bake all the strawberry-rhubarb things again. The fruity sweet + tart flavors is one of my favorite combinations and I just can’t get enough this time of year.

This coffee cake has a simple vanilla cake base, a filling of strawberries, rhubarb and lemon zest, and a buttery crumble topping. I’m not ashamed to admit I enjoyed slices with breakfast, lunch, and dinner for a few days.

Told you I was obsessed!

Strawberries and rhubarb

Making strawberry rhubarb coffee cake with streusel topping

baking tip:How to prevent cake from sticking to the pan

There are few baking failures as frustrating as a cake that sticks to the pan! Here’s how you make sure your cakes come out clean every time:

  • Line the bottoms of cake pans with parchment paper. You can trace and cut circles from sheets of parchment, or use pre-cut rounds.
  • Grease with a baking-specific nonstick spray that contains flour (such as Baker’s Joy) OR grease pan completely with butter, then dust with flour.
  • While I don’t like non-stick pans for traditional cakes (they tend to over-brown the edges), non-stick pans are great for other recipes like bundt cakes, cupcakes, loaf cakes, etc.

Other strawberry rhubarb recipes

In case you’re obsessed like me…

Strawberry rhubarb coffee cake with streusel topping

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Strawberry rhubarb coffee cake with streusel topping
4.17 from 6 reviews

Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake

Servings: 12 slices
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
A vanilla coffee cake filled with strawberries and rhubarb and topped with a crisp streusel topping.

Ingredients
 

Cake:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (240 grams)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick, 113 grams), softened to room temperature
  • 1 cup granulated sugar (200 grams)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk (125 ml)

Strawberry-rhubarb filling:

  • 2 cups sliced strawberries (334 grams)
  • 2 cups sliced rhubarb (275 grams)
  • Zest of 1 lemon

Crumb topping:

  • 1/2 cup light or dark brown sugar (105 grams)
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (30 grams)
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (42 grams), melted

Instructions
 

Make the cake:

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-inch springform pan with a non-stick baking spray that contains butter, or butter and dust with flour.
  • Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl and set aside.
  • With an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and creamy.
  • Add eggs one at a time, mixing after each.
  • Add vanilla extract and butter milk and mix until smooth.
  • Add flour mixture and mix just until incorporated. Do not overmix.
  • Spread batter evenly into the prepared pan.

Make the filling:

  • Toss the strawberries, rhubarb, and lemon zest together.
  • Place in an even layer over the cake batter, leaving about a 1/2 inch border around the edges.

Make the crumb topping and bake cake:

  • Combine the sugar, flour, and melted butter with a fork until combined.
  • Drop in medium-sized chunks on top of the fruit filling.
  • Bake cake until crumb topping is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out with only a few moist crumbs, about 35-40 minutes. The center of the cake should also bounce back when gently pressed.
  • Let cool in the pan 15 minutes. Run a knife around the edge of the cake and remove sides of springform pan. Let cool completely before serving.
  •  
Calories: 308kcal, Carbohydrates: 47g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 12g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Cholesterol: 56mg, Sodium: 169mg, Potassium: 187mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 28g, Vitamin A: 401IU, Vitamin C: 16mg, Calcium: 65mg, Iron: 1mg
Cuisine: American
Course: Dessert
Author: Annalise
Have you tried this recipe?I’d love to hear about it! Leave a rating and review below, or take a photo and tag it on Instagram @completelydelicious with #completelydelicious.