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Rhubarb Pudding Cake – Old Fashioned Flavor, Easy to Make

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old fashioned rhubarb pudding cake on a white plate

I was looking for something a little different to do with the rhubarb bounty this year when I came across a fruited pudding cake recipe in the Favorite Recipes of America – Desserts cookbook from 1968. The original recipe calls for “any fruit, fresh or canned”, so I figured “Why not rhubarb?”  Thus, this old fashioned rhubarb pudding cake was born. The recipe is quite sweet, even with the tartness of rhubarb. You could cut back a little on the sugar in the sugar/cornstarch mix if you like. This rhubarb pudding cake recipe has a delicate sugar crust, and rich custard pudding bottom. It's easy to make using fresh or frozen rhubarb, and can also be made gluten free.

The boys are not huge rhubarb fans, but they loved this recipe. This is the sort of thing my grandmother would have made. I hope you and your family enjoy it, too.

Old Fashioned Rhubarb Pudding Cake Recipe

Ingredients

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  • 2 cups chopped rhubarb
  • 1 3/4 cup sugar, divided
  • 3 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
  • 1 cup sifted flour
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 2/3 cup boiling water

Directions

Cover the bottom of an 8 or 9 inch square pan with fruit. (I prefer an 8 inch or 9 inch square glass baking dish. You could also use a deep dish glass pie plate.)

Mix 3/4 cup sugar, butter, baking powder, salt, extracts, milk and flour together (add a little more milk if it is too thick to pour); pour over fruit. Mix remaining sugar and cornstarch; sprinkle over mixture in pan. Pour boiling water over the top. ( I know this sounds strange, but trust me, it works to create a pudding around the rhubarb in the bottom of the pan.)

Bake at 375°F for 45 minutes. Yield: 9 servings.

You can see that the sugar topping creates a glaze on the top of the cake, something like a creme brulee, as well as creating the pudding at the bottom. Serve warm in a bowl with ice cream, or let it cool a bit, slice and invert on your plate to show off the pudding. You may also substitute a gluten free flour blend, such as Namaste Gluten Free Flour. With the Namaste flour, I bake an extra ten minutes.

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how to make rhubarb pudding cake step-by-step photos

Printable Recipe

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Old Fashioned Rhubarb Pudding Cake

Rhubarb Pudding Cake on a white plate

★★★★★

4.8 from 12 reviews

This rhubarb pudding cake recipe is easy to make using fresh or frozen rhubarb. A simple hot water trick allows the cake to make its own sauce while baking.

  • Author: Laurie Neverman
  • Yield: 9 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 cups chopped rhubarb
  • 1 3/4 cup sugar, divided
  • 3 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
  • 1 cup sifted flour
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 2/3 cup boiling water

Instructions

  1. Cover the bottom of an 8 or 9 inch square pan with fruit. (I prefer an 8 inch or 9 inch square glass baking dish. You could also use a deep dish glass pie plate.)
  2. Mix 3/4 cup sugar, butter, baking powder, salt, extracts, milk and flour together (add a little more milk if it is too thick to pour); pour over fruit. Mix remaining sugar and cornstarch; sprinkle over mixture in pan. Pour boiling water over the top.
  3. Bake at 375°F for 45 minutes, a little longer for gluten free flours. Yield: 9 servings.

Notes

  • Note: You may also substitute a gluten free flour blend such as Namaste Foods Gluten Free Flour Blend. If using gluten free flour, add 10-15 minutes to bake time.

You can watch me make the rhubarb pudding cake in the video below.

More Rhubarb Recipes to Enjoy

Blessed with a bounty of rhubarb? You may also enjoy these easy rhubarb recipes for drinks, preserves and desserts:

and our other Made from Scratch Recipes.


Originally published in 2012, updated in 2015, 2018.

old fashioned rhubarb pudding cake on white plate

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Comments

  1. There seems to be some mistakes in the recipe. the one I got emailed to me didn’t have vanilla or almond extract on it . Also on both this page and on the emailed one it says to Mix 3/4 cup sugar, butter, baking soda, salt, extracts, milk and flour together (add a little more milk if it is too thick to pour); But there is no baking soda listed on the ingredients . Are we suppose to add baking soda or baking powder?

    Reply

    • I don’t know if the baking powder is possibly the culprit. I have a recipe for the cakey type “cobbler”, and it uses 3 tsp of baking powder. It is easy at 1c. flour, 1c. milk, 1c. sugar, a stick of melted butter, 3 tsp baking powder. Mix and then add the fruit. Now it calls for canned fruit so there is juice so if you use fresh fruit you have to mix the fruit with sugar ahead of time so there will be juice. Not sure how it will work with rhubarb. It has a cake and glue affect also but tastes really good.

      Reply

  2. Sorry about that, Heidi. I was in a hurry this morning and trying to do too many things at once. The recipe has been corrected. No baking soda, only baking powder (I had baking soda in my head with another recipe). 1/2 teaspoon each vanilla extract and almond extract.

    Reply

    • LOL , thanks for answering I was worried people would have failure because of the difference. I looked up the recipe and found it last night, BTW it was soooo good thanks for sharing. Heidi

      Reply

  3. I will have to try that when I can get some rhubarb again. No one seems to grow it around here, and I only rarely see it in the stores. Growing up, it was everywhere, and Mom, being Norwegian/Swedish, had all KINDS of recipes involving rhubarb.

    Reply

  4. We have made this three times in the last month. So very good.We already have the berries and peaches lined up for a little variety.

    Reply

  5. Thank you so much for posting this recipe. My mom used to make this for us when we were children and now that I have my own rhubarb plants I was hoping to find the same recipe she used.
    This is the closest I have found so excited to get baking it again.

    Reply

  6. Why does it look like you’re using unripe rhubarb? When we harvest ours, it’s a deep red all the way through.

    Reply

  7. I am so glad to find this recipe. I had lost my mother’s recipe and this is just the best ever. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply

  9. I love rhubarb and am anxious to try this recipe.. my mom just cooked it and spread it on toast. If you find out something that helps your psoriasis, I’m anxious to know.. I have scalp psoriasis and would love to get it resolved. Thanks for an interesting newsletter.. Margie

    Reply

    • My mom did a lot of rhubarb spread, too. Grandma was more into coffee cakes and such.

      So far everything I’ve tried just takes the edge off the itching or soothes it for a short time, but I’m going to keep trying internal and external remedies. While researching, I was surprised to discover how widespread psoriasis is, and how bad it can be for some people. I even saw a guy on youtube using a Brazilian wax kit to take scales off his legs – ewwwwwwww. That has to hurt! There are oral medications that inhibit the immune response, but those have a long list of side effects. The most commonly recommended treatment by most physicians is steroid cream, but that usually only works for a short time before it flares up again. This may be a long journey.

      Glad you enjoyed the newsletter!

      Reply

    • A note to Margie Harris and Laurie Neverman…On psoriasis…. If you can find someone with a ‘kangen water machine’ made by enagic in your area, that will share the water and the medicinal water with you it will totally get rid of your psoriasis. You will also need the 2.5 acid , 11.5 alkaline and 6.0 acidic water that it makes. I have seen it over and over again, and never seen this fail. There is a protocol for the use of the medicinal waters that you have to use directly on the psoriasis. If you email me and can find someone to share with you I will tell you how to do it.
      On the recipe…. I am so looking forward to trying this…. I have rhubarb coming out of my ears!

      Reply

  10. how do I get the book…Common Sense Homesteading 101? I receive these newsletters but have never gotten the book. Don’t you need my address?
    Thx!

    Reply

  11. I got this recipe somewhere last year and could not believe how easy it was. I passed it on to neighbours who made it. Their families asked for more. And didn’t usually. One them came to me for it again yesterday as it was requested for today’s, Father’s day, dinner. I am making it today too.

    Reply

  14. this sounds wonderful. can’t fine rhubarb in texas where we live. i have some growing it will be next year before its ready. can i use fresh peaches or apricots. thank you

    Reply

  15. I made this tonight using rhubarb from my garden. I cut down a little on the sugar. My tip is make sure the fruit is FULLY covered with the pudding mix or the fruit will leak out during cooking. I added just enough boiling water to put all the pudding mix just under water. It was simple and delicious. I think you could use almost any fruit.

    Reply

  17. I made this yesterday, substituting whole wheat pastry flour, 1 tsp cinnamon instead of almond extract, & reduced sugar. Delicious!

    Reply

  18. Wow! My daughter and I are baking it right now. We doubled the recipe…so do we bake it longer than 45 min?? Looks amazing so far…crust is glossy and hard just like a meringue. Thanks for sharing…

    Reply

  19. I am trying this recipe for Easter as my mother in law cant have strawberries but likes rhubarb. Looking forward to a new recipe thatsxalso easy, yeah! On another note i saw your post bout psoriasis just a suggestion to try goat milk soap, my sister started making it to help her daughter with eczema which she doesnt have anymore. If are interested in trying it but cant find it near you let my know my sister sells it. Best Wishes and Thank you for the recipe.

    Reply

  20. I make this for my husband who is diabetic. I use Truvia in place of sugar, unsweetened Almond Milk for the milk and soy flour for the flour. It does not spike his blood sugar. I have made it with rhubarb, rhubarb and strawberries, blueberries and with peaches. All were very good.

    Reply

    • Thanks so much for this! I was scrolling through the comments to see if anyone has tried a milk alternative. I am going to try it with my vanilla soy milk and margarine. I hope it turns out!

      Reply

  21. Wow, that was really good and soooo easy! I’m not one that really likes warm fruit desserts, but I had a bunch of rhubarb I had to use. I’m glad I used it on this! Thanks for the recipe.

    Reply

  22. Hi,
    I just saw this delicious looking recipe today on FB (surprise!). I have family who cannot have gluten (thanks for the suggestion of gluten-free flour) and no dairy. I have to be so careful with the ingredients but would love to try this this summer!
    So two questions, what would you suggest as a butter replacement? For the milk replacement, almond milk may work brilliantly and sugar replaced with Agave.
    Would appreciate your thoughts!

    Reply

    • I think I’d opt for coconut milk over almond milk if you can tolerate it, because of the higher fat content. As for a butter replacement, ghee would be my first choice if you’re only avoiding lactose, palm shortening if you must avoid all dairy (Tropical Traditions has an organic palm oil that is responsibly raised and harvested, which I reviewed here). Coconut oil would be my next choice if you don’t have either of the above, but the other two give a texture more similar to butter, from my experience.

      Reply

    • In my experience, in most cooking & baking, water is a perfectly reasonable replacement for milk. Since most of the expensive alternates still don’t have the protein that milk does, it doesn’t act the same in recipes (it’s not usually due to fat, or skim milk wouldn’t work). For my family, the only reason to cook with almond or other milk alternate is for the flavor, which in this case you probably wouldn’t even notice.

      Reply

  23. Oh thank you for sharing this! I have lots of rhubarb in my yard! I can’t wait to make it! Maybe tonight or tomorrow for company! Yum! When you reduce the sugar (which I’m thinking of doing since we tend to like things not overly sweet), where do you reduce it? In the batter or the topping or both? What do you recommend reducing it to for someone who is interested in reducing it?

    Reply

  26. We grow Rubarb in Victoria Aus but it needs a good sun shade to limit not block harsh sun then goes beserk in autumn when temp comes down to the 20 `s C with some rain and heavy dews.
    Red Variety is sweeter than green, shows red flesh when cut, but harder to grow ( more delicate ) and needs regular watering.
    Tastes better straight from ground.

    Reply

    • I’ve been trying to get a patch of red started. One year it drowned, one year it froze, but this year I found a neighbor I can get a start from, so I’m hopeful we have a winner.

      Reply

  27. Ok I had my students make this for a lab and 4/6 kitchens pans over flowed on to the bottom of the oven almost causing a fire alarm??? I am pretty sure most followed the recipe exactly. Does anyone use bigger pans??

    Reply

    • Did you use 8×8 or 9×9 pans? The most commonly found size I’ve found while searching online for glass pans in the last couple of years is 8×8. My 9×9 pans are older and have become hard to find. 9×13 would be overkill, but an 11×7 pan would probably work.

      Reply

  29. Did you grease your baking dish? Looks delicious, am making it this afternoon. Our rhubarb is plentiful this year.

    Reply

  31. I made this last week, soooo very yummy. Best rhubarb recipe I have ever tried. Easier than pie, more tasty. Made it just like the recipe said.

    Reply

  32. I have this in the oven right now! Didn’t have butter, so used margarine, do you think that will work?

    Reply

  33. Just made this. It’s wonderful. My mom used to make an absolutely perfect peach pudding with the same recipe. I just never thought to switch out the fruit. Watching the sugar content of the fruits, I’m ready to experiment. Thank you!

    Reply

  35. I have canned rhurbarb made like a sauce, could this be used? If not i can get fresh… Thank you for your time..

    Reply

  36. I was searching through Pinterest to find a different rhubarb recipe since I have so much from my garden and I found you. I jumped up off the computer and started making it. I usually him and haw if I should try a recipe or not, but this was so easy and I had everything else. Well it just came out of the oven and it looks divine. Too hot to eat right now but I’m sure it will be like heaven. I love rhubarb and have other fruits in my garden also. Strawberries are on their second round and the blackberries are red and getting ripe. So my next try will either be with blueberries and blackberries or a mixed berry custard dessert. One thing, I was low on milk and I just had enough, I see that other ladies are substituting, but how about buttermilk? I have powdered, would that work also? Thank you for posting and I joined your newsletter, can’t wait to read it. I never make box cakes, always home made, old fashion and trusted recipes handed down. I need all the rhubarb recipes I can get my hands on so keep them coming. Oh my Lord, it is heaven…… I’ll be making another one because this won’t last an hour between me and my two boys. Thanks again..

    Reply

    • I generally like the taste of buttermilk in recipes, especially paired with fruit, so I think that would work. Powdered has usually worked fairly well the few times I’ve tried it in the past, but there’s only one way to tell for sure.

      Reply

  37. I made this recipe twice now and my guests have licked the bowl. Even my picky guests loved it. I was considering making it and taking it with me on a trip. Has anyone made this the night before it was served? How did it turn out? Thank you.

    Reply

    • It’s best hot out of the oven, but not bad the second day. The “pudding” gets soft set, but as long as you don’t cover it while it’s still hot, the top crackle will stay “crackly”.

      Reply

  38. Everyone loves this recipe. Usually top it with a little frozen yoghurt rather than ice cream. Made it a little saucier and increased the water to 2 cups and only use vanilla. It’s perfect every time.

    Reply

  39. My husband loves this, made it couple times before with fresh rhubarb, and i don’t remember leaving a comment. So I am correcting that now. We also have several packages of rhubarb from our garden froze and going thru the comments, I see where it says it worked well. So that’s what I’m doing this am 🙂 So that’s great. This recipe is so easy to do. ty

    Reply

  42. Has anyone tried this with a strawberry rhubarb combination? I love this combination in pie, so I’m thinking of trying this recipe with those fruits together.

    Reply

      • thanks. Mine was a little pastey…. I did bake it a little longer than the 45 minutes… I didn’t think it was quite done, maybe I overbaked…. Also I used a larger glass pan, so I did 1 1/2 recipe, so who knows…. was probably something I did. Husband didn’t complain… he loved it.

        Reply

  45. I made this last night. Did not care for it while warm. The next day. Wow. Wonderful flavor. Thank you for this recipe. Going to try with different berries also.

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  46. I am making an assumption that I don’t have to use almond extract?! I did see that I can use my frozen rhubarb. Plan to make tonight/tmrw. But wanted to ask about the almond extract because neither of us like it.

    Reply

  48. Made this last night for dinner with gluten-free cup-for-cup flour. Delish. Second helpings all around. Love having a recipe without strawberries to enjoy that rhubarb taste. Even my husband who typically skips desserts had seconds. No ice cream needed here! Thanks!

    Reply

  51. Loved this recipe. Making it for thesecond time in two days. Used freshly grated nutmeg in rhubarb and just used vanilla for flavouring. Think I will try this frozen mixed fruit.

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  52. This is a very close recipe to my Aunt Sylvia’s Blueberry Pudding – this being a bit better (more precise ratios, etc.). By the way – you can use ANY fruit in the bottom – fresh or frozen – and add a spice or lemon if the fruit suggests it. Thanks for this great update on an old family favorite!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  53. I used this recipe last summer. It was GREAT . This year I’m using half rhubarb and half strawberries. It’s in the oven now, I’m sure it will be just as good!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

      • I just made this with strawberries and rhubarb, myself! I grew up eating “blueberry batter cake” which is essentially the same as this pudding cake with blueberries. I have found, through the years, that frozen fruit sometimes yields more sauce than fresh (which we prefer). I found your recipe after making the change to the blueberry recipe that I have. The recipe differences are the addition of the extracts, 1/4 less sugar for the topping, and 1/4 cup more boiling water. We prefer to pour cream or half and half over the top while it is warm and then eat leftovers the next day cold and straight from the pan. Thanks for sharing. I LOVE rhubarb and am baffled at why so many readers had strange outcomes. I’m wondering if they varied the recipe.

        Reply

  54. I have it in the oven now. Didn’t see to reduce the sugar in time. Hope it’s not too sweet. So easy. I can’t wait to try it.

    ★★★★

    Reply

  56. Fantastic recipe – husband and kids loved it. Great use of our endless supply of rhubarb!
    Have you ever doubled the recipe? Does the chemistry all still work well?

    Reply

  57. I made this last weekend, so delicious! I got confused and put the whole 1 3/4 cup of sugar in all at once along with the baking powder. Wrote myself a note to divide up the sugar next time. I should have read the recipe more thoroughly but I will make it again when rhubarb is in season next year.

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  58. Oh my goodness! This is delicious!!! I made it for my BIL’s birthday tonight and as soon as the guys took the first bite their eyes got huge. “Okay, from now on you make nothing by this!”

    I added apple pie spice and it was the perfect compliment. So good!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  59. Instead of putting the cup of sugar and cornstarch on top of the batter, can “turbinado sugar” be sprinkled?

    Reply

  60. This was a lovely dessert, but way too much sugar for my liking. How would one cut the topping sugar in half, and would the water need to be decreased accordingly? The texture was lovely–just sweetened the rhubarb more than I care for….

    Reply

  61. Love Love Love this! Super easy pudding cake! Super yummy and it’s so awesome how it makes it’s own crust!!! I will be making this again!!!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

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