Rhubarb-Raspberry Loaf and Muffins

Rhubarb-Raspberry Loaf and Muffins

Rhubarb-Raspberry Loaf and Muffins by The Messy Baker

Everything’s behind schedule. The spring bulbs, the roses, the fruit. And me. Especially me. While I chastise myself for tardiness, I’m actually pleased that Mother Nature is dragging her earth-encrusted feet. Here it is, almost July, and I’m harvesting armloads of rhubarb with leaves as big as tennis racquets and stalks as thick as a yard stick (and almost as long.) Thanks to the topsy-turvy growing season, my favourite fruit duo — rhubarb and raspberry — can unite.

I know, rhubarb and strawberries are the classic match. But it’s all a fairy tale forced upon us by the capriciousness of the Seasons. I’m asking you to shed the fairy-dusted, Beauty and the Beast scenario, and think “Bonnie and Clyde of the Fruit World” instead.

Strawberry and rhubarb is a marriage of convenience. They both emerge in late spring, but that’s about the only reason they’re together.  While sweet strawberries soothe the bite of rhubarb’s rough edges, they’re too sensitive to stay the long haul. By the time tough old rhubarb has broken down, tender strawberries have dissolved to mush. I posit rhubarb and raspberries are the better match. After all, they need the same things, have the same aura of danger. Rhubarb leaves can kill and raspberry barbs will shred your skin. But strawberries? At worst, they stain your fingers.

In honour of my favourite fruit couple, I’ve made two rhubarb-raspberry desserts — one baked, one ice-cold. This sort of dichotomy works.

Rhubarb-Raspberry Muffins and Ice Cream by The Messy Baker

Even the baking has two options. You can make rhubarb-raspberry loaf or muffins. Eat them as is or with a scoop of rhubarb-raspberry ice cream. Or just eat the ice cream (recipe to come.)

Rhubarb-Raspberry Loaf by The Messy Baker

Sorry strawberries. You’re fine on your own. And I just know there’s someone out there for you. Someone who can appreciate your tender side. We’ll go talk while the two Rs show off.  You’ll have your turn soon enough.

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Rhubarb-Raspberry Loaf and Muffins

Rhubarb-Raspberry Loaf and Muffins by The Messy Baker

This is a very flexible recipe. It can be made into muffins or loaves using either fresh or frozen fruit. Need more options? You can make it with all rhubarb, all raspberries or — as I recommend — a combination of both.

  • Author: Charmian Christie
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 45 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 12 1x
  • Category: Baking
  • Cuisine: North American

Ingredients

Scale

Topping
½ cup sugar
½ tsp cinnamon
1 tbsp softened butter

Batter
2 cups all-purpose flour
1½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon fine sea salt
finely grated zest of 1 large orange
2 large eggs, room temperature
½ cup canola oil
¾ cups sugar
⅔ cup buttermilk
1 cup chopped rhubarb
1 cup raspberries (fresh or frozen)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 8-inch by 4-inch loaf pans or line a 12-cup muffin tin with papers.

Topping: In a small bowl, blend sugar, cinnamon, and butter until crumbly. Set aside.

Batter
In large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk in orange zest to distribute evenly.

In medium bowl, beat the eggs with a whisk. Add the oil and sugar, and whisk until the sugar has dissolved. Add the buttermilk and whisk until well blended.

Toss the rhubarb and raspberries in the flour mixture until evenly coated. This helps ensure they stay suspended in the batter. Pour the buttermilk mixture over the dry ingredients, blending with a spatula or wooden spoon until just mixed. Do not over-mix.

Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pans or spoon into the muffin cups. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar and bake in preheated oven until the tops are golden and a toothpick inserted in centre comes out clean, about for 20 to 25 minutes for muffin or 45 to 50 minutes for loaves.

Notes

You can make this will all raspberries or all rhubarb.

Keywords: loaf, raspberry, rhubarb, muffins, buttermilk

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3 Comments
  • Tess Brist
    Posted at 00:31h, 02 May

    Absolutely yummy! I made a double batch; one for my family of six and for a church potluck. They got devoured! I received many compliments and requests for the recipe. This recipe is a keeper. Thank you!

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 15:40h, 05 May

    Thanks so much for taking the time to let me know these were a hit. I love the raspberry-rhubarb combination, too. So thrilled they were popular with your family and church. There’s usually stiff competition at church potlucks, so I’m honoured you’d take one of my recipes to the event.

    Thanks again and keep baking!!

  • Pingback:Rhubarb-Raspberry Ice Cream | The Messy Baker
    Posted at 13:17h, 30 March

    […] here is the recipe for rhubarb-raspberry ice cream. Same flavour combination as the muffins and loaf from yesterday, only in ice cream form. Just in time for Canada  Dominion Day.  Split a muffin, slice some […]