A Farewell to Summer | Strawberry Rhubarb Crumb Cake

Fall is here. Can you feel it? The hours of daylight are becoming shorter, a chill descends upon us in the late evening and lingers until late morning, and I have turned on the seat heaters in my car once or twice (for reals). The leaves are beginning to turn those beautiful shades of gold. Pumpkin spice lattés are back! I find myself craving hearty soups and comfort food for dinner instead of lighter summertime fare. I want to bake with apples and pumpkin and delicious fall spices.

Over the past week or so, things have felt different to me. It’s interesting how the universe ebbs and flows, and how each season brings with it new ideas, feelings, and goals. I was reflecting on this post the other day, and I was reminded of the idea that Fall, in a sense, marks the beginning of a new year.

Fall presents an opportunity for a fresh start. Last Summer, the psychic told me that the number nine repeatedly made an appearance in my tea leaves, palm, and tarot cards. Based on that, he predicted that September was going to be an important month. Six weeks later, at my friend’s wedding reception, her mother hugged me and randomly said “Always remember that number nine is lucky” before walking away. Nothing noteworthy happened last September. But I’m convinced. This September is mine.

In less than two weeks, I am going to run my first half marathon. I’m freaking a little bit. Maybe a lot actually. I don’t feel as prepared as I would like. The running partners that I signed up for the race with have decided to withdraw their registrations due to running injuries. I’ve been having painful shin splints over the past couple of weeks – probably a result of overtraining as I frantically prepare for a 22km trek through the mountains. Friends, I am scared. But I am also excited. I know that I can do it – now it’s just a matter of doing it. Mind over matter. Positive thinking. Believing in myself.

For me, Fall also means turning another year older. In exactly one month, I will celebrate another year of living. Of experiences and lessons learned. It seems that once one passes the age of 25, birthdays aren’t quite as fun or exciting as they used to be (ie. the girlie sleepovers). But this year, I’m milkin’ it. I will only turn 28 once, so I damn well better celebrate it. My favorite people + lots of wine + a kick-ass birthday cake + a little dancing = the only way to do it.

But before half marathons and birthdays (and all of the other incredible things that are on the horizon), we must bid farewell to Summer. This cake is one way to do just that. A delicious sour cream cake is topped with a strawberry and rhubarb quick jam and then blanketed with crumble topping. We’re talking ample cake-to-crumble ratio here friends.

So quick! Bake this pretty little cake up before all of the strawberries have disappeared from the shelves and a garden full of rhubarb is just a memory! And enjoy a slice with a steaming up of coffee or tea, or for breakfast, and preferably with someone fabulous. I most certainly did.

Strawberry Rhubarb Crumb Cake (adapted from About.com, Southern Food Guide)

For the filling:

2 cups rhubarb, thinly sliced

1 pint strawberries, sliced and slightly mashed

1 TBSP. fresh lemon (or lime) juice

2/3 cup sugar

3 TBSP. cornstarch

For the cake:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. baking powder

Pinch of salt

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

3/4 cup sugar

2 eggs

1/2 cup sour cream

2 tsp. vanilla extract

For the crumble topping:

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

Pinch of ground nutmeg

5 TBSP. melted butter

1/2 cup chopped pecans

For the filling: In a medium saucepan, combine the rhubarb, mashed strawberries, and lemon juice. Mix the sugar and cornstarch together and add to the fruit mixture. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and stir until thickened (about 5 minutes). Remove from heat and let cool.

For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Combine the 1 1/2 cups flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.

In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter with the 3/4 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Add in the eggs and sour cream, and then the vanilla. Slowly add in the flour mixture until smooth and blended. Spread in a greased 9-inch springform pan. Spoon the cooled filling mixture over the cake batter.

For the crumble topping: Combine the ingredients, mix well, and sprinkle evenly over the filling layer. Bake for about 45-50 minutes, or until the cake is firm and topping is lightly browned. Allow to fully cool before slicing. The cake will keep, well-wrapped in the refrigerator, for a couple of days.

PS. You guys rock. In case I don’t tell you often enough. xoxo

 

Comments

  1. This looks yummy! x

  2. That’s funny, I just did a farewell to summer recipe too :D. This one looks fantastic! Strawberry and rhubarb are a match made in gastronomic heaven.

  3. Looks so light and delicious! Yum! xx

  4. Well… this is the best farewell to summer I have ever seen! YUM !I

  5. Sigh, well summer is over huh… 🙁 That’s a lovely way to end it though for sure.

  6. Hello! I’ve nominated you for the Liebster Award! If you’d like to accept, go to http://normalcooking.wordpress.com/2012/09/11/the-liebster-award-woo/ and follow the instructions!

  7. Friend!! I loved being 28 – it was a great year (one whole year back now sob sob) and I had a fabulous 28th birthday. Lots of boozing at a ‘Guilty Pleasures’ club.. a white minidress outfit and dancing til 4am. Love. You will have a great time and a great year I know. This cake sounds so yummy too – as soon as we move into our new place (four days now!) Im going to get baking again .. and I’m already dreaming of an almond flour coffee cake – I think I will use this as the base.. maybe minus the rhubarb. Oh and I also got a feeling about you and the number nine. Okay, thats a lie – I didnt’ – but now Ive heard that I also think September will be lucky for you! Now go carb load on some cake my pretty little friend.

    • Em, you are so sweet! I appreciate the positive thoughts for September! Only 16 more days left to go…come on luck! 😉
      And after hearing about your 28th birthday, I am feeling more inspired than ever to have a big bash and enjoy myself! An almond flour coffee cake sounds lovely. I really need to experiment more with almond flour (and by more, I mean, at all). Let me know how it turns out if you give it a try! xoxo

  8. I love rhubarb cakes – my husband’s mom makes them all the time when we go to Germany. Your crumb cake looks so good!

  9. Oh em gee I just love strawberry rhubarb anything — crisp, cobbler, crumb cake. Totally makes the world a much happier place.

  10. My stomach literally growled while looking at your photos. I absolutely love rhubarb pie, and yours looks delicious. Nice post!

  11. Just stumbled across your blog, AMAZING! So many delicious recipes. You’re very talented 🙂

  12. i love your blog sooo much! it is sososo scrumptious! <3 amazing!

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