You can substitute thawed, drained frozen rhubarb for the fresh. Serve the cake with unsweetened whipped cream, if desired. Red currant jelly is worth seeking out; strawberry and raspberry jam won't produce the same effect.
1poundrhubarb, trimmed and cut into ½-inch pieces454 grams
2tbsp.unsalted buttermelted
Cake
1cupall-purpose flour5 ounces/142 grams
1½tsp.ground cardamom
1tsp.baking powder
½tsp.table salt
1cupsugar7 ounces/198 grams
2largeeggs
6tbspunsalted buttermelted and cooled
½cupsour cream
1tsp.grated lemon zest plus 1 tablespoon juice
1tsp.vanilla extract
2tbsp.red currant jelly
Get Recipe Ingredients
Instructions
Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 8-inch square baking pan, line bottom with parchment paper, and grease parchment.
Prepare Streusel
Stir all ingredients in medium bowl until well combined. Set aside.
Prepare the Rhubarb
Whisk sugar, cornstarch, and lemon zest together in large bowl. Add rhubarb and stir well to coat. Drizzle with melted butter and stir to incorporate. Transfer rhubarb mixture to prepared pan and press rhubarb pieces into bottom of pan, making sure there are no large gaps (pieces may not fit in single layer).
Prepare the Cake
Whisk flour, cardamom, baking powder, and salt together in medium bowl; set aside. Whisk sugar and eggs in large bowl until thick and homogeneous, about 45 seconds. Whisk in melted butter until combined. Add sour cream, lemon zest and juice, and vanilla; whisk until combined. Add flour mixture and whisk until just combined.
Pour batter into pan and spread evenly over rhubarb mixture. Break up streusel with your hands and sprinkle in even layer over batter. Bake until cake is golden brown and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 45 to 50 minutes.
Finish the Dessert
Transfer pan to wire rack and let cool for 20 minutes. Run knife around edges of pan to loosen cake, then invert onto serving platter. Let cool for about 10 minutes.
Microwave jelly in small bowl until fluid, about 20 seconds. Using pastry brush, gently dab jelly over rhubarb topping. Serve warm or at room temperature.