Rhubarb streusel bread is one of those baked recipes that appears to be fancy but is actually quite simple to be honest.
Have you ever experienced that delightful sweet breakfast bread with a zesty kick that causes you to stop for a moment while chewing? That’s this.
The tartness of rhubarb gives way to a soft crumb, while the buttery crumble above it becomes golden and slightly crisp.
It feels like an old fashioned rhubarb bread recipe your grandma would scribble on a flour-dusted card.
Ingredients Needed To Make Rhubarb Streusel Bread
For the Rhubarb Bread Batter
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup neutral oil (like sunflower or canola)
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup buttermilk (or milk + 1 teaspoon vinegar)
- 1 ½ cups fresh rhubarb, chopped small (½ inch pieces)
Fresh rhubarb works best. Frozen is also an option, but be sure to thaw it and pat it dry; otherwise, your batter will be excessively wet and won’t bake correctly.
For the Streusel Topping
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup cold butter, cubed
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
Cold butter is key. When the butter is soft, the streusel won’t crumble properly; instead, it will simply melt down.
How To Make Rhubarb Streusel Bread
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9×5 inch loaf pan by greasing it and adding parchment paper. Allow some paper to extend beyond the edges so that you can lift it out later.
Now pause. Did you wash your rhubarb? Cut off the ends and chop it into small, uniform pieces. When they are oversized, they create wet pockets by sinking. Nobody wants that.
Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium-sized bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt using a whisk. Keep it light. Don’t over mix. Set aside.
Step 2: Combine the Wet Ingredients
In a bigger bowl, combine sugar and oil with a whisk. Add eggs one at a time. Beat well after each addition. Stir in vanilla and buttermilk.
Ideally, the batter should appear slightly glossy and smooth (this is a good sign).
Step 3: Bring It Together
Slowly fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Use a spatula. Stir just until no dry streaks remain. Just make sure not to overmix stuff as doing so makes the bread tough and we don’t want that.
Fold in the chopped rhubarb gently. t may seem like an excess of fruit, but believe me, it’s not.
Step 4: Make the Streusel
Start by mixing flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a small bowl followed by adding cold butter cubes.
With your fingers, work the butter into the flour mixture until it becomes crumbly. You want pea-sized bits.
It should look messy and imperfect. That’s perfect.
Step 5: Assemble
Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan. Spread evenly.
Sprinkle the streusel topping generously across the surface. Press it lightly so it sticks.
If some falls off later, that’s life.
Step 6: Bake
Bake for 50 to 65 minutes. Start checking at 50 minutes. Insert a toothpick in the center. It’s only finished if a clean result or a few moist crumbs appear.
If the top starts to brown too fast, after 35 minutes loosely cover it with foil like a tent.
Allow it to cool in the pan for 15 minutes and then, using parchment, lift it out and let it cool completely on a rack.
And remember, if you slice it too early, it will fall apart and you’ll regret it.
Rhubarb Bread Variations Worth Trying
Want to switch things up? Let’s talk options.
1. Rhubarb Bread Recipe With Oats
Add ¼ cup of rolled oats in the streusel to create a heartier topping. It gives that rustic bakery vibe and makes it feel like Rustic Rhubarb Bread straight from a farm kitchen.
2. Rhubarb Bread Recipe Sour Cream
Swap buttermilk for sour cream. This makes an ultra moist Rhubarb Quick Bread. The crumb becomes richer and softer.
How To Make Rhubarb Buckle
Use an 8×8 pan rather than a loaf tin for baking the batter. Increase streusel slightly. You will receive something that resembles a buckle or Rhubarb Coffee Cake style treat more closely.
How To Make Rhubarb Coffee Cake
Before baking, place a thin layer of streusel in the center of the batter. Double crumble, double joy.
How To Make Rhubarb Focaccia
Feeling adventurous? Cut back a little on the sugar and use a shallow pan for baking. Top the rhubarb pieces with butter and coarse sugar, applying pressure. It becomes a sweet-savory brunch bread. Every variation still honors the old fashioned rhubarb bread recipe roots. It just shifts the personality.
Bread Storage Tips
Keep it tightly wrapped and at room temperature for a maximum of 48 hours. Refrigerate up to 5 days. Warm slices slightly before serving.
It actually tastes better the next day. Flavors settle in and deepen.
You can freeze it too. Wrap slices individually. Toast when ready.
Final Thoughts
Rhubarb recipes always walk that line between sharp and sweet.
That tart stalk is stubborn but brilliant. The magic of Rhubarb streusel quick bread is balance.
Should you ever think that your loaf is overly sour, adding a tablespoon of sugar to the batter can adjust the entire flavor profile.
Baking is chemistry, yes, but it’s also adjustment. Once you understand how rhubarb behaves in heat, you can start creating your own Rustic Rhubarb Bread versions without fear.
