A “Secret” Baked Layer Cake:
Scottish Rhubarb & Ginger Crunchy Streusel Cake Recipe
The lovely Scottish preserves company Mackays sent me a selection of jams and curds recently with the suggestion that I bake something with them, as part of their #bakingwithmackays challenge, as well as creating a new recipe to be shared on their site, and here it is, a Scottish Rhubarb & Ginger Crunchy Streusel Cake! I was sent some Scottish Raspberry Preserve, Rhubarb and Ginger Preserve as well as some jars of their delectable Lemon Curd. I was going to make or should I say bake, a Bakewell Tart kind of pie, with a few changes here and there, and then I was planning on making a cake with some of the lemon curd, but then I had a brain wave, well, a sort of “waking up in the middle if the night with a recipe idea moment”, I would bake a streusel cake, which is any cake or bake that has a crunchy topping on it, based on the German “Streuselkuchen”. I am rather partial to a good streusel cake and when I lived in the States, they were VERY popular there, especially at the Fairs, and many a slice has passed my lips, and remained on my hips!
My recipe is a simple egg-enriched sponge cake mixture with a secret layer of rhubarb and ginger jam baked inside along with a layer of streusel mixture. The hidden layer adds a little surprise when the cake is cut and the jam works beautifully with the nutty and crunchy streusel mixture – as well as having a wonderful light crumb, as you can see in the photos. I served this cake with a cup of tea as an afternoon treat the other day and we have also tried it warm (like a pudding cake) with custard since then…..which was very naughty, but totally comforting and divine! You could, if you wanted, also warm up some extra jam with a little water and serve some extra sauce with the cake if it’s served this way, as a pudding. I decided to add some of my streusel mixture to the filling of the cake, it’s usually always scattered on top; but, you can just scatter it on top if you decide to make this, however, I love the nutty layer that is hidden through the middle and it works so well with the jam too.
The recipe for this cake is shared below, and I may try making this cake again, but with some raspberry preserve, with almonds and cinnamon for the streusel mixture……yes, I am on a streusel roll! As this cake DOES have a layer, even if it is baked into the cake, I am also entering this into Tea Time Treats, the baking and cooking challenge that I host along with Kate; Kate is hosting this month’s challenge and the theme is “Layer Cakes”. Another great occasion to bake this cake would be for a BIG summer picnic! Yes, the sun has arrived and picnic weather is here….you can cut the cake into squares beforehand and pop them in a tin, or you can can just take the cake on the baking tin, and cut it when you get there, in large “picnic” style slabs! Anyway, that’s enough cake for one day, I have to go now as I need to do some weeding in the garden, see you later, and have a fabulous, sunny weekend! Karen
Scottish Rhubarb & Ginger Crunchy Streusel Cake
Serves | 16 pieces |
Prep time | 20 minutes |
Cook time | 40 minutes |
Total time | 1 hour |
Allergy | Egg, Milk, Wheat |
Dietary | Vegetarian |
Meal type | Dessert, Snack |
Misc | Child Friendly, Freezable, Serve Cold, Serve Hot |
Occasion | Barbecue, Birthday Party, Casual Party, Christmas, Easter, Halloween |
Region | British |
By author | Karen S Burns-Booth |
Ingredients
Cake
- 100g margarine or butter
- 150g caster sugar
- 2 free-range eggs, beaten
- 100mls fresh milk
- 225g sifted self-raising flour
- 1/2 jar of Mackays Rhubarb and Ginger Preserve (or preserve of your choice)
Streusal Topping
- 25g butter
- 25g flour
- 75g soft brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 6 small crystallised ginger balls, cut into small pieces
- 50g chopped mixed nuts (I used chopped pecans, but any nuts are suitable)
Note
A delectable layered cake where the jam is baked inside along with a nutty streusel mixture, as well as being topped with a streusel layer too. The cake is perfect for any afternoon tea table, as well as being served warm as a "pudding cake" along with custard or cream. I used Mackays Rhubarb and Ginger Preserve, but you could use Mackays Raspberry Preserve and add almonds and ground cinnamon to the streusel mix, instead of the ginger. Makes 16 generous slices/squares.
Directions
Step 1 | Pre-heat oven to 180C/350F/Gas Mark 4 and grease and line a 28 x 18 (11" x 7") cake tin. Make the nutty streusal mixture by rubbing the butter into the flour and then adding the sugar, ground ginger, crystallised ginger pieces and the chopped nuts - set to one side until needed. |
Step 2 | Cream the margarine or butter together with the sugar until light and fluffy, and then add the beaten eggs with the milk. |
Step 3 | Fold in the flour and mix well. |
Step 4 | Spoon half of the cake mixture into the prepared cake tin. Drop spoons of the rhubarb and ginger preserve over the cake mixture and then scatter half of the nutty streusal mixture over the top of the jam. |
Step 5 | Cover with the remaining cake mixture and then the rest of the nutty streusal mixture and bake for 40 minutes, or until the cake is well risen, golden brown and firm to the touch. |
Step 6 | Allow the cake to cool in the tin before cutting into squares and serving with tea or coffee. |
Step 7 | This cake is also perfect for picnics, lunch boxes and when warmed up and served as a "pudding" cake. Can be frozen in slices. |
anthony harrington says
this looks delicious, I adore rhubarb!
Karen says
Thanks Anthony! I popped half of it in the freezer, as we kept eating it! Karen
Dominic says
such a homely and puddingy kind of cake which is exactly how I love ’em… that hidden layer looks amazing… bet this would be divine served warm with cream or even custard… love it!
Karen says
PERFECT with cream or custard Dom!
laurasmess says
Yum. I absolutely love streusel cakes. The layer of gorgeous rhubarb and ginger conserve would be fabulous with the crunchy nuts, ginger chunks and moist cake! A fabulous invention Karen! You’ve done Mackays proud, methinks (wish that preserve was sold over here! I haven’t seen it before!)
Karen says
Thanks Laura, I am also a BIG fan of streusel cakes and as for Mackays, you MIGHT find their products in Australia, as there is often a strong Scottish presence in some areas, and New Zealand too of course; maybe a “British” shop, if such things exist? Karen
Maya Russell says
I could make this for the school cake sale (omitting the nuts). Fabulous recipe!
Karen says
Thanks Maya!
Denise says
A cup of tea or a bowl of custard would go equally well with this lovely sounding cake.
Karen says
I agree and a BOWL of custard would be amazing! Karen
gloria says
I really love this cake and love this recipe sounds like our kuchen we make here; delicious:)
Karen says
Thanks so much Gloria, it was very much enjoyed! Karen
Maya Russell says
Custard or double cream? Or icecream? Divine cake!
Choclette says
This looks beautifully light Karen and sounds delicious. Now if only the weather would improve, this would indeed be perfect for a picnic.
tina edwards says
mmm looks delicious would be perfect to pack for a picnic
What Kate Baked says
Ohh, now this is the perfect sit-down-with-a-cuppa-midafternoon treat! Lovely, lovely entry to TTT Karen and thank you SO MUCH for taking over for Part II later in the month xx
Janice says
I wondered where you were getting your Scottish Rhubarb! Mackays do make great jam and htis is a lovely idea for a cake.
Lisa Williams says
such a great cake looks great and tasty 🙂 Thank you !
Lisa Williams says
tweeted to share 🙂
Maya Russell says
I’ve never grown rhubarb or ginger – must give them a try. Shared on Twitter: https://twitter.com/maisietoo/status/346526342818439168
Tracy Nixon says
Yummy! Shared via G+
ashleigh says
Sounds lovely – love Rhubarb and Ginger!
Tracy Nixon says
Shared on Facebook! Thanks xxx
Maya Russell says
Looks scrummy! Shared on Twitter: https://twitter.com/maisietoo/status/352297079420358656
Maya Russell says
A lovely picnic idea, and any crumbs can be left for the birds. Shared on Twitter: https://twitter.com/maisietoo/status/353044261131927552
Maya Russell says
The Streusel is like a crumble. Really want to make this cake. Shared on Twitter: https://twitter.com/maisietoo/status/353382088835215360
Claire Appleton says
This looks delicious! It sounds so nice how its crunchy but has soft sponge, think I need to get my baking equipment out! 🙂
Kim Winter says
Yum! this looks really good 🙂 i’m going to have to make this for afternoon tea!
Jo Booth says
This looks lovely, and unlike my usual choice of chocolate cake, it won’t melt in the sun 🙂
Maya Russell says
Thanks for the recipe. Have shared on Twitter again: https://twitter.com/maisietoo/status/355186854208864258
Amanda Milton says
Fantastic recipe,going to have to try it,sounds gorgeous 🙂
Chevaune Stanley says
Looks Yummy!
Rachel B says
this looks fabulous! sharing on twitter
Maya Russell says
Shared again on Twitter,
@maisietoo
Steve G says
Lovely cake found you via the Mackays web site, quick question
for the almond and cinnamon cake would the proportions be the same ie 1/2 teaspoon and 50g , I assume you leave out the ginger? #
Thanks
Steve
Karen says
Thanks Steve! Yes, the proportions would be the same and yes, you leave out the ginger too! Karen
Sarah Davies says
I need to remember this one for when I have a glut of rhubarb next year. It looks delicious.
ursula hunt says
Great recipe I love rhubarb, must give this a try
Sharon Hingley says
This looks truly delicious. I love rhubarb and will definitely have to give this a go. Fabulous photos, I am feeling very peckish now.
ursula hunt says
I love rhubarb
Gillian Hutchison says
Gonna give this a try when kids are at nursery this morning. Looks lovely
Claire Willmer says
Wow such a lovely recipe great idea about freezing also as im sure it would get finished far too quickly in my house 🙂 xx
ursula hunt says
Great with a lovely creamy homemade custard
Annaloa Hilmarsdottir says
This cake looks absolutely delicious and I am determined to have a go for Valentines.
Eleni {The Foodie Corner} says
Wow, this looks SO good!
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks so much Eleni! Didn’t we meet at FBC 13? Lovely to see you here!
Camilla @FabFood4All says
Gorgoues cake Karen, I feel so behind the times as i’ve nver actually made a Streusal Cake so really must right this wrong soon although I’d probably use some of my own jam:-)
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks Camilla! And I am sure some of your lovely home-made jam would be stellar if used in this cake! Karen