Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake

Ingredients

• FILLING:
• 3 cups sliced fresh or frozen rhubarb (1-inch pieces)
• 1 quart fresh strawberries, mashed
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup cornstarch
• CAKE:
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup butter, cut into pieces
• 1-1/2 cups buttermilk
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• TOPPING:
• 1/4 cup butter
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup sugar

Instructions

1. 1

   Cook the strawberry rhubarb filling: In a large saucepan, combine the rhubarb, strawberries and lemon juice. Cover the saucepan with the lid and cook the mixture over medium heat for five minutes. In a bowl, whisk together the sugar and cornstarch, then stir the mixture into the saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil, and cook and stir until it’s thickened, about two minutes. Remove the saucepan from the heat and set it aside.

2. 2

   Make the cake batter: Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. In a separate bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat the buttermilk, eggs and vanilla. Stir the buttermilk mixture into the crumb mixture just until combined.

3. 3

   Assemble the coffee cake: Spread half the cake batter evenly into a greased 13x9-inch baking dish. Carefully spread the strawberry rhubarb filling on top, making sure to reach all four corners. Using a spoon or cookie scoop, drop the remaining batter by the tablespoonfuls over the filling.

4. 4

   Whip up the streusel: Melt the butter in a saucepan over low heat. Remove the saucepan from the heat, then stir in the all-purpose flour and sugar until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle the streusel evenly over the batter. Lay a large piece of aluminum foil on the lower oven rack to catch any juice spillovers.

5. 5

   Bake the coffee cake: Place the rhubarb strawberry coffee cake on the middle rack of the preheated oven. Bake the coffee cake for 40 to 45 minutes. Transfer the coffee cake to a wire rack and let it cool before enjoying.