Rhubarb Spoon Cake – A Rhubarb Cake with Cake Mix

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Rhubarb Spoon Cake has the texture of a rhubarb sponge cake and is served like a rhubarb upside cake. The best part is that it’s a rhubarb cake using a cake mix and can be made with frozen or fresh rhubarb.

Rhubarb season is right around the corner here in Indiana. That means I’m using up all the frozen rhubarb in the freezer from last rhubarb season.  Not all rhubarb recipes work for frozen rhubarb which means I’m always on the lookout for recipes that use frozen rhubarb.

Rhubarb Spoon Cake Recipe

This recipe from a church cookbook (Waynesburg Christian Church to be exact) caught my eye. I had ever seen a recipe for a rhubarb spoon cake. After conquering this recipe, let me explain more about it.

It uses a cake mix but the texture is more of sponge cake.  In addition, the topping is on the bottom, and it’s served upside down like a traditional upside down cake.

So the question is…is it a rhubarb sponge cake, a rhubarb spoon cake or a rhubarb upside down cake.  It’s actually all three!

How to serve Rhubarb Upside Down Cake?

Cut the cake, and flip the slice on the plate so the top becomes the bottom.  Scoop any excess rhubarb sauce from the pan, and spoon over the top. If desired, add whipped topping or whipped cream.

Since this rhubarb cake is served upside down, the top isn’t all that pretty right out of the oven.

I prefer to add an easy powdered sugar glaze to make it more aesthetically pleasing.  However, that is completely optional.  It’s perfect just as is too.

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Ingredients Needed For Rhubarb Upside Down Cake with Cake Mix

Cake Mix, yellow

Eggs

Oil

Water

Diced Rhubarb, either fresh or frozen

Orange Juice

Sugar

Orange Zest

Butter

For optional glaze:

Powdered Sugar (confectioner’s sugar)

Milk (or cream or half and half)

Vanilla Extract

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How To Make Rhubarb Upside Down Cake Using Cake Mix:

For the full ingredient list, amounts and instructions, scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of this post. 

  1. Prepare cake mix according to the instructions on the box.
  2. Pour into a greased 13 x 9 inch baking dish.
  3. In a small saucepan, heat diced rhubarb, orange juice and sugar until it begins to simmer. Let simmer for 10 minutes or until the sauce thickens.
  4. Pour the rhubarb sauce over top the prepared cake mix.
  5. Bake in preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes.
  6. Let cool and eat as is or add optional glaze.
  7. For glaze, whisk powdered sugar, milk and vanilla until smooth. Pour over warm cake and let harden.

Notes About Rhubarb Spoon Cake:

  • This rhubarb cake uses boxed cake mix. I recommend a white or yellow cake mix. Follow the instructions on the box to prepare the batter.
  • Substitute pineapple juice for orange juice, if desired.
  • Use fresh or frozen rhubarb for this rhubarb spoon cake.  If frozen is used, you may need to simmer the rhubarb sauce a bit longer to thicken it up.
  • The powdered sugar glaze is completely optional.  I like to make it because it makes the top of the cake prettier; however, it is a rhubarb upside down cake so it’s served with the pretty rhubarb side up.  Either way is great!
  • To serve, cut the cake and flip slice onto the plate so the top becomes the bottom. If any additional rhubarb sauce remains in the dish, spoon over top.
  • Check out our Amazon Store for our favorite pantry essentials and kitchen gadgets.

Rhubarb Spoon Cake has the texture of a rhubarb sponge cake and is served like a rhubarb upside cake.  The best part is that it's a rhubarb cake using a cake mix and can be made with frozen or fresh rhubarb.

Unique Rhubarb Recipes

Grandma’s Rhubarb Struesel

Grandma's Rhubarb Streusel Dessert is made in a standard 9-x-13 inch baking pan with fresh rhubarb.

Rhubarb Coffee Cake

Old Fashioned Rhubarb Coffee Cake Recipe features a homemade cake filled with delicious rhubarb and a crunchy cinnamon sugar topping.  This will quickly become one of your favorite coffee cake recipes.

Strawberry Rhubarb Jam with Jello

This three ingredient Strawberry Rhubarb Jam with Jello is the perfect way to make a yummy refrigerator jam in less than 15 minutes. This flavorful jam is pectin-free and goes perfectly on toast or ice cream.

Rhubarb Sour Cream Cake

Old Fashioned Rhubarb cake can be made with fresh or frozen rhubarb.  This rhubarb recipe with sour cream has a cinnamon sugar topping.

Rhubarb Strawberry Fool

Strawberry Rhubarb Fool is a vintage no bake dessert.

Check out even more rhubarb recipes in this post.

Rhubarb Spoon Cake

Rhubarb Spoon Cake has the texture of a rhubarb sponge cake and is served like a rhubarb upside cake. The best part is that it's a rhubarb cake using a cake mix and can be made with frozen or fresh rhubarb.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: rhubarb cake with cake mix, rhubarb spoon cake, rhubarb upside down cake
Servings: 32 servings
Author: Barbara

Ingredients

  • 1 boxed cake mix, yellow
  • 3 eggs
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup water
  • 3 cups diced rhubarb, frozen or fresh
  • 1/4 cup orange juice
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 teaspoons orange zest
  • 1 Tablespoon butter

Optional Powdered Sugar Glaze

  • 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 3-4 Tablespoons milk, cream or half and half
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 13 x 9 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
  • Prepare cake batter as directed on the box. Most yellow cake mixes require 3 eggs, 1/2 cup oil and 1 cup water. If you box's directions differ, follow the direction on the box.
    Rhubarb Spoon Cake has the texture of a rhubarb sponge cake and is served like a rhubarb upside cake.  The best part is that it's a rhubarb cake using a cake mix and can be made with frozen or fresh rhubarb.
  • Pour the prepared cake batter into the prepared baking dish; set aside.
  • In a small saucepan, heat rhubarb, orange juice and sugar to a simmer. Simmer for approximately 10 minutes or until thickened.
    Rhubarb Spoon Cake has the texture of a rhubarb sponge cake and is served like a rhubarb upside cake.  The best part is that it's a rhubarb cake using a cake mix and can be made with frozen or fresh rhubarb.
  • Remove from heat and stir in orange zest and butter.
    Rhubarb Spoon Cake has the texture of a rhubarb sponge cake and is served like a rhubarb upside cake.  The best part is that it's a rhubarb cake using a cake mix and can be made with frozen or fresh rhubarb.
  • Pour the rhubarb sauce over the prepared cake batter.
    Rhubarb Spoon Cake has the texture of a rhubarb sponge cake and is served like a rhubarb upside cake.  The best part is that it's a rhubarb cake using a cake mix and can be made with frozen or fresh rhubarb.
  • Bake for 30- 35 minutes or until set.
    Rhubarb Spoon Cake has the texture of a rhubarb sponge cake and is served like a rhubarb upside cake.  The best part is that it's a rhubarb cake using a cake mix and can be made with frozen or fresh rhubarb.
  • Cake can be eat as is or with optional glaze. To serve, cut the cake and flip slice over on a plate so the cake is on the bottom and the rhubarb sauce is on top. Scoop additional rhubarb over top if it sticks in the pan.
    Rhubarb Spoon Cake has the texture of a rhubarb sponge cake and is served like a rhubarb upside cake.  The best part is that it's a rhubarb cake using a cake mix and can be made with frozen or fresh rhubarb.

Optional Glaze:

  • Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Add additional milk if needed.
    Rhubarb Spoon Cake has the texture of a rhubarb sponge cake and is served like a rhubarb upside cake.  The best part is that it's a rhubarb cake using a cake mix and can be made with frozen or fresh rhubarb.
  • Pour over warm cake.
    Rhubarb Spoon Cake has the texture of a rhubarb sponge cake and is served like a rhubarb upside cake.  The best part is that it's a rhubarb cake using a cake mix and can be made with frozen or fresh rhubarb.

Notes

  • This rhubarb cake uses boxed cake mix. I recommend a white or yellow cake mix. Follow the instructions on the box to prepare the batter.
  • Substitute pineapple juice for orange juice, if desired.
  • Use fresh or frozen rhubarb for this rhubarb spoon cake.  If frozen is used, you may need to simmer the rhubarb sauce a bit longer to thicken it up.
  • The powdered sugar glaze is completely optional.  I like to make it because it makes the top of the cake prettier; however, it is a rhubarb upside down cake so it's served with the pretty rhubarb side up.  Either way is great!
  • To serve, cut the cake and flip onto the plate so the top becomes the bottom. If any additional rhubarb sauce remains in the dish, spoon over top.
  • Love rhubarb? Check out Grandma's Favorite Rhubarb Recipes. 

Rhubarb Spoon Cake has the texture of a rhubarb sponge cake and is served like a rhubarb upside cake.  The best part is that it's a rhubarb cake using a cake mix and can be made with frozen or fresh rhubarb.

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