This different use of tangy rhubarb is “deeeeeelicious”. Mrs. Proctor’s Rhubarb Bread recipe is from the archives of my grandmother, Ethel Eynard. Jefferson City, MO. 1971.
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Rhubarb Bread with Buttermilk
This recipe is another one from the archives of my grandmother and is a great way to prepare rhubarb. Rhubarb bread recipes make delicious treats for the whole family. If you’ve never baked with rhubarb, you’ll love how moist this bread is. It’s also very quick and easy to prepare, once you have the rhubarb diced.
This rhubarb bread recipe creates bread with beautiful flecks of pink rhubarb throughout. You will enjoy the richness created by the addition of an egg and some buttermilk. A touch of vanilla gives this bread added flavor, and a few nuts add some texture. Although this bread is delicious without the topping, the slightly crunchy buttery/cinnamon topping takes it up a notch.
About Rhubarb
Rhubarb is one of the wonderful gifts of spring. Long, hard winters do not deter this hardy plant, which just bursts from the ground like an unfurled flag, heralding the summer to come.
If you plant a rhubarb patch in your garden, you won’t be disappointed. All that patience waiting for your rhubarb to grow will be generously rewarded. This pie plant is the gift that keeps on giving, producing more fat stalks every year.
Rhubarb is one of those rare foods that is next to impossible to find fresh in the off-season. I actually find it kind of reassuring that there are still some things in this world that you can only get your hands on in their actual growing seasons.
Nowadays, our food system lets us eat pretty much anything we want whenever we please. But it can be really satisfying when nature calls the shots.
How to Find the Freshest Rhubarb
Look for the freshest possible in-season rhubarb. Some rhubarb varieties stay green or white when they ripen; however, most rhubarb found in grocery stores will be a deep red when at peak ripeness.
When preparing rhubarb, pay attention to the ends of the stalks where they have been cut. If a stalk appears to be dry, simply trim it until the middle of the stalk looks moist and tender.
Rhubarb Bread Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make the bread:
- Brown sugar
- Vegetable oil
- Egg
- Buttermilk
- Salt
- Baking Soda
- Vanilla
- All-purpose flour
- Rhubarb
- Nuts
- Sugar
- Cinnamon
- Butter
How to Make Rhubarb Bread
- Stir together brown sugar and vegetable oil.
- Add egg, buttermilk, and vanilla. Stir to combine.
- Sift together flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Add sifted dry ingredients to the brown sugar mixture. Stir until combined.
- Add rhubarb and nuts. Stir to combine.
- Pour batter into two well-greased loaf pans.
- Combine sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter. Sprinkle on top of batter.
- Bake at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 40 minutes.
- Remove bread from the pans after 2 or 3 minutes.
- Cool bread on a wire rack before slicing.
Tips for Making the Best Rhubarb Bread
- Be sure to fold in the flour and rhubarb to prevent over stirring, which will lead to tougher bread.
- Because this recipe produces dense, moist bread, it helps to coat the pan with shortening and flour.
- When pouring the batter into the pan, do it gently – lightly tap the pan on the kitchen counter to help spread the mix evenly and guide it into the corners.
- Give your bread a few minutes to rest after baking. Then, using a small offset spatula, gently loosen the edges of the bread from the pan without tearing or damaging the sides.
Can I Use This Recipe to Make Rhubarb Muffins?
Absolutely. Just pour the mix into well-greased muffin pans.
How to Store Rhubarb Bread
This bread will keep at a cool room temperature (e.g., in a pantry) for two to three days. It will keep in your refrigerator for three to four days. I especially like this bread recipe because it freezes well for up to two months. Wrap it in plastic wrap, then wrap it again in foil
Serve rhubarb bread with butter or cream cheese and honey spread.
More Rhubarb Recipes
Love homemade bread? Try these easy recipes
- Pumpkin Bread Better Than Starbucks
- Best Banana Nut Bread Recipe
- Homemade Zucchini Bread
- Prune Bread
- Spiced Apple Bread
- Brown Raisin Bread Recipe
- Honey Wheat Bread
- Gingerbread
- Bountiful Beer Bread Recipe
Be sure to take a look at more of my easy bread recipes and the best family recipes.
Rhubarb Bread
Ingredients
Bread Batter
- 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
- 2/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1 egg
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups finely diced rhubarb
- 1/2 cups chopped nuts
Bread Topping
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F. Generously grease two loaf pans.
- Combine brown sugar and vegetable oil.
- Stir in egg, buttermilk, and vanilla.
- Sift the dry ingredients together.
- Add sifted dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Stir to combine.
- Stir in rhubarb and nuts.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared loaf pans.
- Combine topping ingredients and sprinkle on top.
- Bake for about 40 minutes. Do not over-bake.
- Remove the bread from pans after two or three minutes and cool the bread on a wire rack.
Lizzie
Omg! Ok first this is heaven. It’s light almost cake like not as dense as banana bread. Second thing! How do I get it out of the pan without it falling apart? I managed one but the other I had trouble. I’m not very good at getting bread out of pans. It doesn’t stick I just am not talented lol! It doesn’t matter we are literally eating the crumbs of the table! Thank you for this amazing recipe!!
Stephanie
So glad you like it. I would suggest a heavy dose of non-stick spray. You could also consider thinking about lining the pan with parchment paper.
MaryH
This was a great way to prepare Rhubarb.