I've been a fan of Rachel Allen, the bubbly Irish celebrity chef, for some time now and some time ago I purchased Rachel Allen's Entertaining at Home cookbook, which is the companion book for her Rachel's Dinner Parties TV series.
It's a beautiful book, and if I was to put together a cookbook, this is the type of book I would want.
It's pretty, contains beautiful photography and is well laid out - with chapters focused on food for brunches, casual meals, eating outdoors, canapés, and celebrations.
It's the type of book you could spend an hour flicking through for inspiration, which is exactly the type of thing I like to do.
So when I recently bought some rhubarb I turned to Rachel's book because I remembered seeing a recipe for Rhubarb Crumble cake, which sounded delicious.
This was actually my first time cooking with rhubarb. It's not that I hadn't eaten rhubarb before, as I've enjoyed it in desserts at restaurants, but for some strange reason had never felt inspired to cook with it at home.
I'm glad I made that leap though, because it's delicious, and even better, it's versatile - watch out for a rhubarb cocktail recipe coming soon!
This Rhubarb Crumble cake is gorgeous and when you cut into it you find a surprise pretty pink, almost jammy layer of rhubarb. Yum!
Are you a fan of Rachel Allen? What is your favourite Rachel Allen recipe?
📖 Recipe
Ingredients
RHUBARB LAYER
- 400 g of rhubarb, trimmed and cut into 2 to 3cm pieces
- 100 g of demerara sugar
- ½ teaspoon of ground ginger
- 2 tablespoons of water
CRUMBLE TOPPING
- 100 g of plain flour
- 75 g of butter, cubed
- 75 g of light brown sugar
- 25 g of flaked almonds
CAKE
- 100 g of butter, softened
- 100 g of caster sugar
- 2 eggs
- ½ teaspoon of ground ginger
- 2 tablespoons of milk
- 175 g of plain flour
- Pinch of salt
- 1 teaspoon of baking powder
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius (350 Fahrenheit) and grease a 23cm spring form tin.
- Place the rhubarb, sugar, water and ginger in a small saucepan and cover with a lid. Bring to a simmer over a low heat and cook until the rhubarb is tender, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and remove the lid and leave to cool.
- To prepare the crumble topping sift the flour, baking powder into the bowl of a mixer fitter with a paddle attachment. Add the butter and sugar and set the mix to it's lowest speed and mix until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Place in the refrigerator while you make the cake.
- To make the cake batter, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, and mix to combine before adding the milk and ginger. Then sift over the flour, salt and baking powder and fold into the cake batter.
- Spoon the cake batter into the prepared spring form tin and spread out evenly before topping with the cooked rhubarb along with the liquid. Finally top with the crumble topping and finally the flaked almonds.
- Bake for 45 minutes, or until golden and cooked in the center. Cool in the tin slightly before removing.
Nadia says
I have a confession to make, I don't have any cookbooks... well I have 2-3, but I never open them, so they don't count. I find all my inspiration online, in blogs like yours 🙂 Beautiful photography, interesting texts that make you feel like you know the woman behind it in person and gorgeous recipes. If the bloggers I follow write a cookbook - that ones I will buy and read with pleasure 🙂
Baker Street says
I am yet to find a recipe from Rachel Allen that would disappoint. I'm going to try and get a hold of this book too! The cake looks fabulous for just about anytime of the day.
delicieux says
It's a gorgeous book, I think you will enjoy it too. I've bookmarked a number of recipes to try. 😀
Nic@diningwithastud says
Oh I love Rachel Allen! Everything she makes turns out fab and Im totally envious of her bread skill haha. I love the rhubarb in this - for the first time making something with rhubard, you look like a pro 😉
delicieux says
Thanks Nic 😀
Simone says
Strangely enough I've never heard of Rachel Allen! I own tons of cookbooks so I'm gonna have a look if I can find hers. This looks wonderful!
delicieux says
Thanks so much Simone 😀
john@heneedsfood says
Beautiful cake and just the thing with a coffee or cold glass of milk!
Sally - My Custard Pie says
Rachel Allen is not on my shelf although I see her recipes in Good Food Mag from time to time. I wish we were able to get decent rhubarb in Dubai as this looks right up my street (and your pics are lovely). Maybe a raspberry layer?
delicieux says
I think a raspberry crumble cake would work beautifully Sally. Apple too! 😀
Sanjeeta kk says
Lovely presentation and the cake look absolutely delicious! Love the pink strips of rhubarb peeping through...
delicieux says
Thank you Sanjeeta 😀
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
That looks fantastic Jennifer! I do have Rachel Allen bake but I'm yet to actually bake from it! 😛
Lisa @ Tarte du Jour says
I wish I had a slice with my coffee right now! It looks delicious!
delicieux says
Thanks Lisa 😀 I'd send you a slice if I could!
Rachel at Eat and Write says
I've never heard of Rachel Allen and I've never eaten rhubarb... it sounds like I'm seriously missing out! I'll have to keep this recipe in mind next time I head to the grocery store; it certainly looks beautiful (and delicious).
Sasha @ The Procrastobaker says
This certainly looks gorgeous! Ive really loved baking with fresh fruit this year, and baking with rhubarb has been a new experience for me as of a few months ago, its lovely stuff! So if i get my mitts on some more then this looks like a genius recipe 🙂
Tanvi@SinfullySpicy says
I always love the way your props & cutlery complement your food ..beautiful cake Jennifer..love the pink strip from rhubarb peeking through! Have a nice weekend
Rosa says
A gorgeous cake! It looks so smooth and scrumptious. I cannot resist rhubarb-based desserts.Cheers,Rosa
Jack @ BBQRecipez.com says
My neighbors growing up used to have SO much rhubarb in their garden and they’d give it away…if only I could take some of it now..and make this cake!
Nicole says
Ah - I wish I had a neighbor that grew rhubarb. So much fun!