6 Best Rhubarb Cake Recipes for Healthy, Delicious Baking

If you’re looking for a dessert that strikes the perfect balance between sweet and tart, these rhubarb cake recipes will become your new obsession. Whether you’ve got a backyard full of rhubarb or just stumbled across some fresh stalks at the farmers’ market, rhubarb is the star ingredient you didn’t know your baking routine needed.

In this roundup of the 6 best rhubarb cake recipes, we’re talking tender crumb, bright flavor, and healthier ingredients that still taste like pure indulgence. From protein-packed breakfast cakes to vegan-friendly bakes, each recipe is easy, beginner-friendly, and perfect for spring and summer baking. Plus, rhubarb is naturally low in calories and high in fiber and antioxidants—making it a surprisingly smart choice when you’re craving something sweet.

So grab your mixing bowl and get ready to fall in love with these wholesome rhubarb cakes. Let’s dive in!

Classic Rhubarb Buttermilk Cake Recipe

This traditional rhubarb cake is moist, tender, and gently sweet—perfectly offset by rhubarb’s signature tang. It’s a simple one-bowl recipe with nostalgic flavor and texture.

💚 Why You’ll Love It:

• Buttermilk makes it extra soft and tender

• Great way to use up seasonal rhubarb

• Ready in just 40 minutes

• Crowd-pleaser for all ages

🛒 Ingredients:

• 1 cup chopped rhubarb

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• ½ cup sugar

• ½ cup buttermilk

• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted

• 1 large egg

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• ½ tsp baking soda

• ½ tsp baking powder

• ¼ tsp salt

👩‍🍳 Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8-inch round or square pan and set aside.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.

3. In a separate large bowl, beat the egg lightly. Add sugar, melted butter, vanilla, and buttermilk. Mix until smooth.

4. Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until no streaks of flour remain.

5. Gently fold in the chopped rhubarb until evenly distributed.

6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula.

7. Bake for 30–35 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

8. Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

🔍 Nutritional Info:

220 calories | 4g protein | 29g carbs | 9g fat

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Healthy Rhubarb Oatmeal Snack Cake Recipe

Perfect for breakfast, afternoon tea, or healthy snacking, this cake is hearty, soft, and full of nutrition thanks to whole grains and fruit.

💚 Why You’ll Love It:

• Whole wheat and oats keep you full longer

• Lightly sweetened with applesauce and maple syrup

• Bakes in 30 minutes

• Kid-friendly and great for lunchboxes

🛒 Ingredients:

• 1 cup rolled oats

• ¾ cup whole wheat flour

• 1 tsp baking powder

• ½ tsp cinnamon

• ½ tsp salt

• ½ cup unsweetened applesauce

• ⅓ cup pure maple syrup

• 1 egg

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 cup finely chopped rhubarb

👩‍🍳 Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper.

2. In a large bowl, combine oats, flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.

3. In another bowl, whisk together applesauce, maple syrup, egg, and vanilla until well blended.

4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry mixture and stir gently until fully incorporated.

5. Fold in the chopped rhubarb.

6. Pour the batter into your prepared pan, spreading evenly.

7. Bake for 30–35 minutes until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

8. Allow to cool before slicing into squares or bars.

🔍 Nutritional Info:

180 calories | 5g protein | 26g carbs | 6g fat

Simple swaps can make every recipe more nourishing. Learn the healthiest pantry swaps in The Encyclopedia of Power Foods.

Almond Rhubarb Cake Recipe (Grain-Free)

A soft, dense almond-flour cake with tender rhubarb and nutty flavor. It’s naturally gluten-free, lower carb, and rich with healthy fats.

💚 Why You’ll Love It:

• Gluten-free and grain-free

• High in protein from almond flour

• Bakes quickly and stays moist for days

• Great as a breakfast cake

🛒 Ingredients:

• 1½ cups almond flour

• ½ tsp baking soda

• 2 large eggs

• ⅓ cup honey or agave syrup

• 2 tbsp melted coconut oil

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• ¾ cup chopped rhubarb

• Optional: sliced almonds or cinnamon

👩‍🍳 Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or 8-inch cake pan.

2. In a mixing bowl, whisk eggs, honey, coconut oil, and vanilla until smooth.

3. Add almond flour and baking soda. Stir until just combined.

4. Fold in chopped rhubarb.

5. Pour batter into the pan. Top with sliced almonds or a sprinkle of cinnamon if desired.

6. Bake for 30–35 minutes or until set and golden brown.

7. Cool in the pan for 15 minutes before slicing.

🔍 Nutritional Info:

210 calories | 6g protein | 18g carbs | 14g fat

Boost your energy with nutrient-dense flours and natural sweeteners. Get more healthy baking alternatives in The Encyclopedia of Power Foods.

Rhubarb Lemon Yogurt Cake Recipe

This light, zesty loaf is ideal for springtime. The Greek yogurt adds protein and tenderness, while lemon adds brightness.

💚 Why You’ll Love It:

• Packed with gut-friendly probiotics

• Zingy lemon flavor balances rhubarb

• Stays moist for days

• Freezes well

🛒 Ingredients:

• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt

• ½ cup sugar

• 2 eggs

• Zest of 1 lemon

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour

• 2 tsp baking powder

• ½ tsp salt

• 1 cup chopped rhubarb

👩‍🍳 Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a loaf pan or line with parchment.

2. In a large bowl, mix yogurt, sugar, eggs, lemon zest, and vanilla until smooth.

3. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.

4. Add dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until just combined.

5. Fold in the rhubarb carefully.

6. Pour into the loaf pan and smooth the top.

7. Bake for 45–50 minutes, or until golden brown and springy to the touch.

8. Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a rack.

🔍 Nutritional Info:

200 calories | 7g protein | 28g carbs | 6g fat

Love citrus and tangy fruit? Explore flavor-packed, nutrient-rich recipes in The Encyclopedia of Power Foods.

Rhubarb Crumb Cake with Coconut Sugar Recipe

Crumbly, caramel-sweet, and comforting, this rustic cake is a healthier take on a classic coffee cake.

💚 Why You’ll Love It:

• Lower-glycemic coconut sugar

• Crunchy oat topping

• Simple one-bowl batter

• Delicious warm or cold

🛒 Ingredients:

Cake:

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour

• ½ cup coconut sugar

• 1 tsp baking powder

• ½ tsp baking soda

• ½ tsp cinnamon

• ½ cup almond milk

• ¼ cup avocado oil

• 1 egg

• 1½ cups chopped rhubarb

Crumb Topping:

• ¼ cup rolled oats

• 2 tbsp coconut sugar

• 1 tbsp coconut oil

👩‍🍳 Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8-inch square pan.

2. In a bowl, mix flour, coconut sugar, baking powder, soda, and cinnamon.

3. In another bowl, whisk milk, oil, and egg.

4. Stir wet ingredients into dry, then fold in rhubarb.

5. Pour into pan and spread evenly.

6. In a small bowl, mix crumb topping ingredients and sprinkle over the batter.

7. Bake for 35–40 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.

8. Cool before slicing for clean squares.

🔍 Nutritional Info:

240 calories | 4g protein | 30g carbs | 10g fat

Small changes like switching sugars make a big impact. Discover more clean baking tricks in The Encyclopedia of Power Foods.

Vegan Rhubarb Banana Cake Recipe

A cozy, moist, plant-based cake that’s naturally sweet with bananas and fiber-rich flour.

💚 Why You’ll Love It:

• 100% vegan and dairy-free

• Naturally sweet with no refined sugar

• Budget-friendly and pantry-staple based

• Moist texture from bananas and oil

🛒 Ingredients:

• 2 ripe bananas

• ½ cup almond milk

• ⅓ cup maple syrup

• ¼ cup melted coconut oil

• 1½ cups whole wheat flour

• 1 tsp baking soda

• ½ tsp cinnamon

• ¼ tsp salt

• 1 cup chopped rhubarb

👩‍🍳 Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a loaf pan with parchment.

2. In a bowl, mash bananas thoroughly.

3. Add almond milk, maple syrup, and coconut oil. Stir until combined.

4. Add flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Stir just until blended.

5. Fold in the rhubarb gently.

6. Pour batter into the loaf pan.

7. Bake for 45–50 minutes, or until the top is set and a toothpick comes out clean.

8. Let cool completely before slicing.

🔍 Nutritional Info:

210 calories | 3g protein | 27g carbs | 9g fat

Looking to bake more plant-based treats? Find dozens of easy vegan bakes inside The Encyclopedia of Power Foods.

Conclusion

Whether you’re baking for health, flavor, or a little bit of both, these rhubarb cake recipes prove that you don’t have to sacrifice taste to eat well. From tangy classics to wholesome vegan twists, each cake is packed with fresh ingredients, simple prep steps, and flavors that truly shine.

If you’ve never baked with rhubarb before, these beginner-friendly rhubarb cake recipes are the perfect place to start. They’re easy, satisfying, and a great way to enjoy one of nature’s most underrated power foods—all while supporting your wellness goals.

So roll up your sleeves, grab some fresh rhubarb, and treat yourself to a cake that’s as good for your body as it is for your taste buds.