A Perfect Balance of Sweet & Tart with a Crunchy Cinnamon Sugar Top
🍓 Introduction
This Cinnamon Rhubarb Bread is a moist, tender loaf bursting with tangy rhubarb and warm cinnamon spice, finished with a crispy cinnamon-sugar crust. It’s the perfect way to use fresh rhubarb—not too sweet, not too tart, just a beautifully balanced quick bread that’s ideal for breakfast, brunch, or afternoon tea.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✅ Easy to make – No mixer required!
✅ Perfect texture – Sour cream keeps it ultra-moist.
✅ Great for rhubarb season – Or use frozen rhubarb year-round.
✅ Crowd-pleasing – The cinnamon sugar topping makes it irresistible.
📝 Ingredients
For the Bread:
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup packed brown sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1½ cups chopped rhubarb (fresh or frozen)
For the Cinnamon Sugar Topping:
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
Equipment:
- 9×5-inch loaf pan
- Parchment paper (optional, for easy removal)
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1️⃣ Prep & Mix Dry Ingredients
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a loaf pan.
- In a bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
2️⃣ Cream Wet Ingredients
- In another bowl, beat butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla and sour cream.
3️⃣ Combine & Fold
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, mixing just until combined.
- Gently fold in chopped rhubarb.
4️⃣ Bake & Top
- Pour batter into the prepared pan.
- Mix ¼ cup sugar + 1 tsp cinnamon, then sprinkle evenly over the batter.
- Bake 50–60 mins until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool 10 mins in pan, then transfer to a wire rack.
❓ FAQs
Can I use frozen rhubarb?
✅ Yes! No need to thaw—just toss in flour to prevent sinking.
How do I store it?
- Room temp: 2 days (wrapped tightly).
- Fridge: 5 days (bring to room temp before serving).
- Freeze: Up to 3 months (slice first for easy thawing).
Can I substitute yogurt for sour cream?
✅ Yes! Plain Greek yogurt works well.
Why did my bread sink in the middle?
- Overmixing (develops too much gluten).
- Underbaking (test with a toothpick at 50 mins).
💡 Pro Tips
🔸 Don’t overmix – Stir until just combined for a tender crumb.
🔸 Even rhubarb distribution – Toss pieces in 1 tbsp flour before folding in.
🔸 Extra crunch – Add chopped walnuts or pecans to the topping.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
- Warm with butter – Melts into the cinnamon sugar crust.
- With coffee or tea – Perfect for a cozy morning.
- À la mode – Serve with vanilla ice cream for dessert.
🌟 Final Thoughts
This Cinnamon Rhubarb Bread is a must-try for rhubarb lovers! The tart-sweet balance and crispy topping make it impossible to resist.
Try these variations next time:
- Strawberry-rhubarb – Swap ½ cup rhubarb for diced strawberries.
- Orange zest – Add 1 tbsp to the batter for brightness.
Enjoy! 🍞✨ Tag your creations #RhubarbBreadLove and let us know how you served it!
“A little rhubarb, a little cinnamon, a whole lot of happiness.” 😊
