Saturday, May 27, 2017

Easiest Rhubarb Cake: a spring favorite #recipe #mystery #giveaway








Thanks to Sheila  Connolly for the reminder earlier this month that the rhubarb in our backyard can turn into something delicious.  We have an exuberant plant!  Have learned a few things about harvesting it:  twist off the stalks, don’t cut.  Harvest before it ‘flowers’ or the rhubarb will be tough.  Discard the leaves: they can be toxic.  And the good news: rhubarb loves the freezer.  



Easiest Rhubarb Cake

INGREDIENTS:




2 extra-large eggs, room temperature
½ cup plus one tablespoon sugar
½ cup plus one tablespoon flour
1 – 2 tablespoons chilled butter
1 cup chopped fresh (or frozen rhubarb)
¾ tsp good quality vanilla extract
¼ tsp almond extract



DIRECTIONS:


Chop the rhubarb.



Beat eggs until light and fluffy. 



Gradually beat in sugar until thick. Add vanilla and almond extract. Beat in flour (don’t overbeat) Ooops! This photo has vanished!

Pour into greased 8 inch baking pan.  



Arrange a layer of rhubarb on the top.  Top with dabs of butter.  I like to use these little red pans I got more than twenty years ago in England.  The cakes do turn out better if you make one at a time, rather than doubling the recipe. I don’t know why.   Of course they can bake together.
 
Bake at 400 degrees for 20 – 25 minutes.   


When the cake is cool, dust with icing sugar.  The sweetness counteracts the tartness of the rhubarb.


  
Serve as is or with whipping cream or ice cream.  I think it would be nice with some lemon zest added too.  I'll do that next time and, of course, there is always a next time with this little cake. 

The rhubarb cake freezes beautifully. I usually freeze the second one if I can save it in time. And now on to related topics: tulips. Ottawa,  mysteries and giveaway.




May is our month for rhubarb but it's also our month for tulips and in Ottawa, we have the Tulip Festival which is at the heart of my first published mystery: Speak Ill of the Dead, a Camilla MacPhee book.   




Of course, being a lawyer and victims' advocate, Camilla is a bit grumpy and doesn't care for all those tulips or tourists. Now she's trying to save her friend, Robin, from murder charges.  I still like tulips though and I am still happy with my first book. To honor its May origins I will have a draw from your comments today.  Tell me why YOU would like to read a book about a grumpy lawyer with an interfering family living in Canada's capital or just say something about rhubarb or cake and your name goes in the hat.  I look forward to hearing from you!  If you have already read it, we can make a deal.  DON'T FORGET TO INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL!



Mary Jane Maffini is the author of thirteen books in three mystery series and co-author of the book collector mysteries along with her daughter, Victoria, writing as Victoria Abbott.








Here are the Camilla MacPhee books Be careful: may contain humor, difficult relatives and the world's worst office assistant.  Also animals.




Visit MJ at www.maryjanemaffini.com and MJ and Victoria at  Victoria Abbott

You can friend her on   FACEBOOK.

MJ and Victoria are happy to give you the news on their e-newsletter:  Sign up HERE

 

56 comments:

  1. The book sounds like a great read; and I LOVE rhubarb! Such a versatile ingredient and perfect for a summer cake recipe. EMS591@aol.com

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  2. I do I love rhubarb! The recipes look de
    licious! Thank you for sharing!
    vboudreau57@gmail.com

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  3. I'd like to read about a grumpy lawyer because she's trying to save her friend ROBIN from murder charges! ;) I'm not crazy about tons of tourists either, but I do love tulips! My mom used to make the best rhubarb pie! Your cake recipe sounds yummy! Thanks! rw620@aol.com

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  4. I have a rather mature and robust rhubarb plant, myself. My family loves rhubarb and we are always on the lookout for new recipes. Thanks for sharing yours.
    little lamb lst at yahoo dot com

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  5. I am a grumpy lawyer with too much rhubarb so this cozy and recipe are perfect.

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  6. A grumpy lawyer sounds like a wonderful read. And rhubarb, my favorite memory of my granmda, making pie in the summer. Can't wait!

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  7. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  8. my best friend is from Ottawa, and she talks about the tulips,i'd love to read about them, also, i like grumps, so this book sounds like a lot of fun. dkmouser@aol.com

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  9. I like tulips of all colors. I love to see those pictures that show fields and fields of tulips in bloom. The book sounds good too.+

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  10. My mom always liked rhubarb pie so I will have to show her this recipe. I might even eat it too. Not opposed to rhubarb flavor just how stringy it seemed in my grandma's pies. The cake looks pretty delish! And the book sounds pretty cool so yeah I would be interested barbie17 (at) gmail (dot) com

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  11. Mmmm rhubarb! We do rhubarb pie often but this looks like a winner too, I will have to try it this weekend! And I have to admit that I've not seen your books before, but summer is a great time to take on a new series! Sjholmes@att.net

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  12. I live in Dartmouth, NS and I love reading stories by Canadian authors set in Canada. Also, while I really hate rhubarb, I think I can substitute blueberries quite easily, so I'm going to try your recipe 😍

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  13. Having had to deal with a grumpy lawyer, regarding my Mother's Estate, I'd like to read a mystery with a grumpy lawyer, especially if he ends up being the victim! I'm not fond of rhubarb but this cake sounds like one I would try. I usually use rhubarb in a jelly made with canned pie filling and flavored gelatin dbahn(at)iw(dot)net

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  14. I like rhubarb but it's hard to find in the stores here.
    sgiden at verizon(.)net

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  15. Now that I've finally made friends with rhubarb, I'll have to try this!

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  16. My sister loves rhubarb. I'm going to give her this recipe. Ithink I will try it . too. Thanks!
    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

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  17. I love Ottawa, especially in the summer. Perfect place for a holiday and so much to do and see. Rhubarb is wonderful in pies, muffins and as a topping when cooked like applesauce. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  18. The recipe sounds good. The book sounds better I'll have to give both a try.

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  19. Wonderful and enticing recipe. I will be making this cake this summer. Who could resist rhubarb? I would enjoy the book since it involves Ottawa, a very special and unique city. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  20. Well, I'm not a lawyer but I can be pretty grumpy. And after growing up with the difficult family my goal was to BE the difficult family. Kidding. Mostly. As for the rhubarb? I was so thrilled the last time at COSTCO - mini-strawberry-rhubarb pies! Yay. It is still a huge amount of food but easily justifiable because I wasn't eating one enormous pie. Thanks for the giveaway. xx
    sallycootie@gmail.com

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  21. I worked for a number of years for a very kind and caring lawyer so it would be interesting to read a out a grumpy sort. We had a lot if rhubarb in our garden before we retired and moved into a Cindi where we cannot plant anything but herbs or flowers in pots. Love rhubarb desserts and also use it in a couple of u usual reciows too. So delicious.
    Would live a copy if your latest book,. Thank you for the chance. Cynthia ceblain (AT) tmlponline (DOT) net

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  22. Each interfering family is interfering in its own way! I adore rhubarb (my late grandmother grew it in her garden in Kansas.) I'd be delighted to win this book! rebarger at bellsouth dot net

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  23. Sounds like a wonderful summer read. A grumpy lawyer sounds like an interesting main character.
    I sent this recipe to my daughter as her rhubarb crop is flourishing already. Looking forward to reading your book. Thanks for the great giveaway
    donnaing1(at)gmail(dot)com

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  24. MJ/Victoria - lovely post. I remember my mother enjoying rhubarb and I couldn't wrap my tastebuds around it, but I bet it makes a terrific cake, and anything that freezes well is "gold." Hugs, ~ Daryl (Sharing your giveaway on twitter.)

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    Replies
    1. thanks, Daryl! The sweetness of the cake counteracts the tartness of the rhubarb!

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  25. I had never eaten rhubarb until about two years ago when I tried Noosa Rhubarb and Strawberry yogurt. Now I am a big fan, and definitely need to try this recipe!

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  26. I've misplaced my super easy rhubarb cake recipe---so I must try this one. Thanks for the book contest.
    suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

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  27. Great recipe. It's a keeper. Thanks
    ofhp@att.net

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  28. "a book about a grumpy lawyer with an interfering family living in Canada's capital " AND written by you? What more do I need?!
    I don't remember when I had rhubarb, but it did not leave me with any fond memories. I'm thinking bitter and slimy? Or am I mixing it up with okra?
    libbydodd at comcast dot net

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    Replies
    1. LOL! Rhubarb is quite tart, but hasn't seemed bitter. Okra on the other hand .... Hugs MJ

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  29. I love tulips but rhubarb is not a fav of my husbands so we don;t make it thank you so much for coming / ptclayton2@aol.com peggy clayton

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  30. I love stories with interfering families. turtle6422(at)gmail(dot)com

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  31. Cake! And who doesn't love reading about other families that interfere with each other? mommatoodle at msn dot com

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  32. The cake looks delicious and, like you said, easy! Each year I tell myself I am going to make a rhubarb cake, but I never do. I think this is the year that I finally will!I would read you book because all of those things make for one of an entertaining book! Thank you so much for the chance to win!
    magicgirl2357@yahoo.com

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  33. This cake recipe looks delicious. Coming from someone who isn't a huge rhubarb, that is a high compliment. I reserve my biggest compliment for Camilka MacPhee and Ottawa's own beautiful tulips.

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  34. Grumpy lawyer needs rhubarb cake. I need to make this for hubby. Bobbipad at gmail dot com

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  35. I've never had rhubarb, but I have heard Garrison Keillor sing about rhubarb pie. Thanks for a chance to win a copy of your book.
    elainehroberson@gmail.com

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  36. I'm always ready to read an entertaining story and this sounds like a good one! lclee59(at)centurylink(dot)net

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  37. Love to read authors I haven't tried yet

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  38. Embarrassed to say I've never had rhubarb anything, but I love cake and reading so I guess that's something!
    skforrest1957@gmail.com

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  39. Thank you for the recipe I like pie and sauce allot with rhubarb ! The book sounds great! I want to read it.

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  40. Buse making rhubarb jelly with a friend and a rhubarb crunchanged
    Pugpower63@gmail.com

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  41. The novel sounds fascinating! Grumpy lawyer sounds perfect & intresting as my son just graduated as a para legal. Rhubarb is growing fast in Cape Breton & I am looking forward to having this cake. Sounds easy & delicious!

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  42. The rhubarb cake sounds delish. I'll save the recipe for next spring as mine is now flowering. The book sounds fun. Nothing better than a mystery that includes flowers for an avid botanist mystery lover. Email is patruta.mcghan@ gmail.com. Happy Spring!

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  43. Having a hard time finding rhubarb this year :-( Parkeremma2003 at yahoo dot com

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  44. I would love to read your book about the Tulip Festival in Ottawa. Every year I go to Holland MI for their Tulip Time Festival and it would be interesting to read how you celebrate your tulips in Canada. Love the rhubarb recipe, I'm going to give it a try.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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  45. Very excited for you, on your new book!!! Yay!! nani_geplcs@yahoo.com

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  46. I love rhubarb. I love the go tags book mysteries you do with your daughter, so I am sure so would love this book series too.

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  47. I love rhubarb dishes. My favorite is a torte that my Mom used to make. Perfect blend of sweet and start. servedogmom@yahoo.com

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  48. Love all things rhubarb, especially when combined with strawberries. The cake sounds delicious, will have to try it.

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  49. Oops, forgot e-mail - scesjps@yahoo.com

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  50. I was an adult before I ever had rhubarb, or in fact had even heard of it. My hubby's mother's family held an annual family reunion at Mooney Grove in Visalia CA. We had just been married a month when I went to my first one. One of his aunts had made rhubarb pies -- her specialty. I loved it!! And then his mother would make rhubarb sauce just to eat. Mmmmmmm. Then when we got to live in CA for a few years, I would make the rhubarb sauce; never did get the pie right.
    If I can get a hold of some good rhubarb here in OK I will have to try this cake.

    donna (dot) durnell (at) sbcglobal (dot) net

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  51. I think I had something like this before and it was wonderful. I'm sure your book is just as good! Would love to win.

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  52. Interfering family - doesn't everybody have one to some extent? Love rhubarb sauce!

    kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

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  53. I love reading cozy mysteries and this one sounds good! I feel a connection to Canada because that's where my grandmother was born! lindaherold999(at)gmail(dot)com

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  54. I love grumpy...one of my favorites is Seth in Murder She Wrote. Thank you for the chance.
    Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com

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