Strawberry Rhubarb Bread with Streusel Topping
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Strawberry Rhubarb Bread Recipe is a soft and tender quick bread under a layer of crunchy sweet Streusel Topping. This Rhubarb Bread recipe could easily pass for rhubarb cake. It’s delicious any time of day from breakfast to dinner.
I think my favorite thing to eat is quick bread. Quick bread doesn’t require yeast. You can make so many variations. Some of my favorites are Peach Streusel Bread, Orange Pecan Coffee Cake, and Pumpkin Apple Bread.
This post has been upgraded from 5/2/16 to improve the reader’s experience. No changes have been made to the recipe.
If you’re unfamiliar with rhubarb, or just haven’t used it much, I think putting together a loaf of Strawberry Rhubarb Bread with Streusel topping is a great place to start. John always said he didn’t like rhubarb. This rhubarb loaf changed his mind!
Rhubarb F.A.Q’s
Yes, rhubarb stalks can be eaten. Don’t eat the leaves however, they contain a poison called oxalic acid. Rhubarb contains vitamins A and K as well as other health benefits.
No, rhubarb doesn’t need to be peeled. Once the season is about over rhubarb can become fibrous so peeling may make them tastier. I prefer using it when it’s young so it’s moist and tender.
Either! If you’re baking the rhubarb, especially in a recipe that adds sugar, it doesn’t matter. If you’re eating it raw the red rhubarb can be a little less tart.
HOW TO MAKE STRAWBERRY RHUBARB BREAD
Ingredients for Strawberry Rhubarb Bread with Streusel Topping
- All-Purpose Flour. Bleached or Unbleached.
- Whole Wheat Flour. Adding whole wheat improves the crumb of this bread and makes the texture come out divine. It’s worth a trip to the store for this ingredient.
- Baking Powder. Fresh is the best! Buy new baking powder and baking soda every six months or so.
- Baking Soda. Again, fresh is best.
- Sugar.
- Brown Sugar. Light or dark brown sugar will both work equally well.
- Cinnamon. Saigon Cinnamon is my favorite but whatever you have at home works perfectly!
- Salt. Kosher or ordinary table salt is fine.
- Eggs. Large eggs are what I use to assure my baking comes out consistently.
- Butter. I like unsalted butter best. If you use salted omit the salt ingredient.
- Lemon Juice. Fresh or from a bottle works fine.
- Buttermilk. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make a substitute.
- Rhubarb. A red vegetable that looks similar to celery.
- Fresh Strawberries. As fresh as possible.
How to make Strawberry Rhubarb Bread Recipe from Scratch
I think you’ll find that making your own quick bread from scratch is just as easy as buying a mix.
Please note, that the printable recipe card has the full list of ingredients, quantities, complete instructions, and nutritional information. The following is a quick overview of the recipe.
- Preheat your oven and spray your loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray.
- Whisk the dry ingredients together in a large bowl.
- In a separate bowl, mix the liquid ingredients together.
- Slowly pour the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients. Using a spatula, gently fold the ingredients together until just combined. Don’t over-stir.
- Fold in the rhubarb and then the strawberries. I fold them in separately because the strawberries are more delicate.
- Add the batter to the prepared pan and top with streusel topping.
- Bake and then allow the loaf to cool in the pan on a cooling rack. Once cool, add the glaze.
How to make Streusel Topping
- In a small bowl, mix the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon together. Cut in the diced cold butter.
- Cover the rhubarb quick bread batter with the streusel topping.
- Bake the strawberry rhubarb bread. It will take about fifty-five minutes.
How to make Glaze
Combine the glaze ingredients. Add small amounts of milk until the glaze can be drizzled over the strawberry rhubarb loaf. If the glaze gets too thin add a little bit of powdered sugar.
Apply the glaze to the cooled bread using a whisk or fork. You can remove the bread from the loaf pan and put it on a serving plate before glazing or glaze it right in the pan.
You May Need These Supplies
HOW TO STORE STRAWBERRY RHUBARB BREAD WITH STREUSEL TOPPING
Refrigeration Storage
This is a very moist Strawberry Rhubarb Quick Bread. For that reason, I recommend storing it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezing Rhubarb Bread
You can freeze Rhubarb bread for 3 to 4 months. Wrap it in plastic wrap and then in foil or place it in a resealable freezer bag. You can freeze the strawberry rhubarb loaf into serving-sized packages so that you can take out just what we need.
Strawberry Rhubarb Bread F.A.Q’s
Adding 1 to 2 teaspoons of flour to the rhubarb before you mix it into the batter will help keep it suspended throughout the batter.
Sinking is usually caused by one of two things.
1. Under baking the bread. You can tell when quick bread is done by using any of these methods:
a) Insert a toothpick into the center and when it comes out with just a few crumbs, remove it from the oven.
b) Lightly press down on the top of the loaf. It’s done when it immediately springs back.
c) Use an instant-read thermometer. Insert it into the center of the bread and back to 200°F.
2. Baking soda or baking powder is no longer active. To test it, see our Baking Techniques, Tools, and Ingredients post.
Yes and no. In order for the baking soda to work it needs an acid to activate it which helps your bread rise and become light and fluffy. You can replace the buttermilk with yogurt or sour cream which I haven’t tried. Make sure the batter isn’t overly thick otherwise your bread will be dense.
Yes, in fact, here is our printable Baking Pan Conversion Cheat Sheet that will help you decide what pan to use.
Rhubarb is very tart so sugar is added and it’s often mixed with sweet fruit such as strawberries to minimize the acidity.
CAN I USE FROZEN RHUBARB?
I prefer fresh rhubarb. You can use frozen rhubarb. Remove any ice crystals and mix while frozen.
If frozen rhubarb looks dry, it’s been frozen for too long and shouldn’t be used. The taste and texture wouldn’t be the best.
You can also use frozen strawberries.
TIPS FOR THE STRAWBERRY RHUBARB BREAD RECIPE
- Don’t add too much fruit to this loaf. That will add too much moisture. One and one-half cups is plenty.
- Slice the rhubarb thinly so that it cooks evenly.
- Don’t overwork the streusel ingredients.
- We use a wire pastry cutter. That keeps the cold butter from blending into the topping too much. Keeping the pieces in tack, resembling small pebbles, is what creates that crunchy texture.
- Let the rhubarb loaf cool in the pan over a cooling rack instead of popping the bread out of the pan right away. That will help it firm up.
- Wait for the loaf to cool before you cut it to get the perfect slice.
This recipe is a hit in every way possible. The crumb is so soft and moist. It’s nice and sweet with a mix of tartness from the rhubarb.
The streusel gives this bread a delightful crunch, and the lemon just brightens up everything beautifully.
Strawberry Rhubarb Bread Variations and Substitutions
- Make an all rhubarb bread recipe or all strawberry bread recipe. You’ll want about 1-1/2 cups of fruit.
- Replace the strawberries with blueberries.
- Add nuts. Walnuts or pecans would be delicious.
- For a healthier rhubarb bread recipe, you can eliminate the streusel topping and glaze (gasp).
What can I cook with rhubarb?
- Rhubarb Oat Muffins
- Apple Rhubarb Skillet Pie
- Rhubarb Sauce Recipe
- Strawberry Rhubarb Pie
- Rhubarb Dessert Recipe
- Rhubarb Custard Pie
Don’t forget to stop back and let me know how your Rhubarb Bread turned ut!
Strawberry Rhubarb Bread with Streusel Topping
Ingredients
Bread
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 eggs room temperature
- 6 tbl unsalted butter melted and cooled
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice and zest
- 2/3 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup rhubarb sliced thinly
- 1/2 cup strawberries sliced
Streusel Topping
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1/4 cup brown sugar light or dark
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 4 tbl cold butter diced
Lemon Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 2 tsp milk
Instructions
Bread
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9 x 5 loaf pan. You can also line it with parchment paper as I often do and then spray with non-stick cooking spray.
- Combine the dry bread ingredients (flour through salt) together in a large bowl. Whisk to combine.
- In a medium-size bowl, combine eggs, lemon juice, buttermilk and melted butter.
- Pour liquid ingredients into dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Fold in rhubarb and strawberries. Pour into prepared pan.
Streusel Topping
- Combine flour, sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in cold butter using two forks until mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle over bread.
- Bake for 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Turn pan halfway through baking. Cool completely in the pan on a wire cooling rack.
- Remove bread from pan. Combine glaze ingredients. Add additional milk if the glaze is too thick to drizzle over bread.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
This recipe was calculated using the exact brands and measurements I used to make this recipe. If you are following a strict diet please note changing anything will cause the nutritional info to change. My calculations are intended as a guide only.
That crumbly topping is so tempting. I love that you took so many beautiful photos of this loaf….definitely drool worthy.
Thank you Sandi! It is one of my very favorite breads that I’ve ever put together.
Can’t imagine this getting a white ribbon! The judges were taste Blind my friend. Seriously how good is this! I love streusel topping. It adds such a perfect crunch to the moist cakes. Don’t get rhubarb here.. Might sway this for strawberry.
PS: if I was you, I would have finished this all by myself too. Soul sister
Ha Swayam! This bread is wicked good Swayam! You cold definitely just use strawberries! Hugs Soul Sister!
I will give you a ribbon for this! Plus I would eat the whole loaf!
Woo hoo! I pretty much did Jennifer!
Your photos are always so pretty and anything with a lemon glaze is sold for me, but the rest sounds great as well. Yum!
Thank you so much Caroline!
This looks fabulous Julie! I love strawberry Rhubarb, and that streusel topping with the lemon glaze sounds amazing! I could definitely see myself eating this for breakfast or anytime of day!
Definitely worth first place – the list in ingredients is a big draw, with buttermilk sneaking in there alongside the strawberries & rhubarb. I think the lemon glaze finishes this cake superbly too – it looks divine.
Thank you Jane! I almost finished the whole thing by myself! It’s dangerously delicious! Have a wonderful day.
i think i would give this bread a thousand purple ribbons (I assume that means first place haha! not too familiar with country fairs!). Ths looks soooo yummy, the perfect mix of flavours and textures – yum!
Thank you Michelle! John was gone when I made this bread and I almost ate the whole thing myself! Yea for the purple ribbons!!! Those are the best.
Im a latecomer to Rhubarb…. but boy do I LOVE it now! I’m going to make this when I get my hands on some fresh rhubarb in the next few months! (How did I not have rhubarb until just recently???? O
Thank you Michele! I think every piece of property had at least 3 plants where I grew up. I’ve tried several times to get my own going and can’t seem to do it. I actually made this bread with frozen rhubarb! It was cleaned and sliced already. Cheat where you can I say! Have a wonderful evening Michele and thanks for stopping by.
Hey Julie, great minds think alike. I’m working on a strawberry rhubarb pie for next week. I love the idea of a bread with streusel topping and the addition of the lemon glaze, what a burst of flavors – yum!
Thank you Lily! I can’t wait to see your pie! It’s one of my favorite combinations and I love your recipes so I am sure it will become a favorite of mine!
What an amazing combination of flavors and textures, Julie! I’m sure you would win a blue ribbon, too! I love it when there are layers of flavors in food. The streusal topping and glaze must send this bread over the top. Thank you for sharing your recipe!
Anything with a streusel topping is good in my books! Not sure how your ribbons work but it definitely looks like a winner to me! Don’t forget to link up to Fiesta Friday so everyone else can enjoy the party too! I don’t suppose you’ve any suggestions to make this gluten and/or dairy free?
I agree! I just love the stuff on any bakery. I’m not an experienced baker for gluten free recipes but you might try almond flour. Also, replace the buttermilk with applesauce for a dairy free options.
Super 🙂 Life Diet Health version in planning! 🙂 Thank you
What a unique combination of ingredients!!
Thank you so much. It is a combination that I just love and just reminds me of spring.
I give you the blue ribbon for this recipe myself! It looks absolutely scrumptious!!! I wish I had all the ingredients and I could enjoy this tomorrow morning with a cup of coffee…..
Thank you Kloe! I almost ate the whole thing!
I love your story and your strawberry rhubarb bread looks so moist! Yumm! 🙂
Thank you Ana! I really enjoyed your post today!
OMG, Julie!! Purple ribbon for sure! You had me at Streusel and Strawberry & Rhubarb is such an amazing combination!!
Naina you gave me a purple! You rock my friend. Thank you and enjoy your day!
This cake looks so beautiful, moist and delicious!
Thank you so much Jasline! So happy your stopped by!
Gorgeous loaf Julie…..blue ribbon for sure
Thank you Marisa!
I love simple recipes and if they come topped with streusel, nothing like it…
The people who gave you the white ribbon should come and visit you now ❤️
Ha! I’m a real streusel lover too!
Oh my goodness gracious, definitely a blue ribbon winner!
Thank you Debbie!
This sounds and looks scrumptious, Julie! 🙂
Thank you Linda!
Definitely a winner in my book!!! Looks delicious Julie!
Thank you Linda!
Gorgeous looking loaf Julie, definitely a winner in my books! Love your first picture too, it looks so real, it makes me want to reach out and help myself to one or three slices 🙂
Thank you Loretta! It’s a dangerous bread to have around. I just about ate the whole thing while John was out of town!
Blue ribbon from this judge! Drool-worthy too! Oh my.
Woo hoo Johanne! Thank you my friend.
Haha, your story made me laugh Julie. That sounds like something that would happen to me.
And wow, does this bread look yum. I’d love a nice thick slice with my coffee in the morning 😉
Jess, I made this when John was out of town and I just about ate the whole thing by myself! Hope you’ve had a wonderful day!
A blue ribbon definitely Julie! The Junior Master Gardener Program is a part of 4-H and I volunteered as a teacher/gardener for a number of years. 4-H is a great program for kids to belong to. Now that bread is making me very hungry as I did not eat much breakfast (just a small yogurt) this morning but I’m afraid I would over indulge 🙂
That’s funny Judi because I made it when John was out of town and ate it for two meals every day. I almost polished off the whole thing by myself.