December 28, 2023
Review RecipeRhubarb Dump Cake
Table of Contents
This rhubarb dump cake is ridiculously easy to make, and it’s a great way to use up any leftover rhubarb you might have. Imagine digging into this warm, bubbling buttery dish featuring tart rhubarb and a sweet cake topping.
Rhubarb Dump Cake Ingredients
NOTE: It is essential to ensure that you do not eat the leaves, root, or bottom stem area of rhubarb, as it will make you sick.
You’ll need:
- 4 cups (1-1¼ pounds) fresh rhubarb, small diced
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup water, divided
- 1 (15.25-ounce) box yellow cake mix (I used Betty Crocker)
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
PRO TIP:
When buying the cake mix at the grocery store, it is best to pick one that doesn’t have pudding mix in it; check the label to make sure.
SUBSTITUTIONS AND ADDITIONS
RHUBARB: If you can not find fresh rhubarb in your local market, many grocery stores will carry it in the frozen fruit section. Dole is a very popular brand.
How to Make This Rhubarb Dump Cake Recipe
OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS
You’ll want to use a 9×13-inch cake pan so that the texture and consistency are right. I’ve used an 11x 7-inch pan before, and it turned out a little too thick, which changed the delicious texture of the dump cake.
STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spray a 9×13 pan with baking spray. Set aside.
PRO TIP:
Rhubarb does need to be peeled or prepared beyond rinsing and cutting off the ends of the stalks. Do not consume any rhubarb leaves as they are toxic.
STEP TWO: Combine the diced rhubarb, white sugar, ½ cup water, cornstarch, and vanilla extract in a large bowl. Stir to combine evenly. Pour the fruit mixture into the bottom of the baking dish.
PRO TIP:
Fresh rhubarb can sometimes have strings similar to celery that you can just pull off with a sharp paring knife. Usually, it is the larger stalks that have more strings. The smaller, more tender stalks can easily be sliced or diced without removing them.
STEP THREE: Evenly sprinkle the box of cake mix over the top of the rhubarb mixture. If needed, you can spread the cake mix to ensure that all the fruit is covered in an even layer.
STEP FOUR: Drizzle the remaining ½ cup of water evenly over top of the dry cake mix.
STEP FIVE: Carefully drizzle the melted butter evenly over the water and yellow cake mix.
STEP SIX: Bake for 45 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly. Remove the rhubarb dump cake from the oven and allow it to rest on the counter for 15 minutes before serving.
PRO TIP:
Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to keep a close eye on your rhubarb cake as the suggested baking time approaches.
How To Serve
This easy dessert tastes fantastic and would be a great option to serve when company is coming for dinner. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream and whipped cream to the plate and everyone will love the warm, bubbly deliciousness.
Dump cakes are always a winner for a quick dessert, and while they may not look pretty, they are beyond delicious. Don’t forget to try our lemon dump cake and strawberry dump cake too.
MORE CAKE RECIPES
Storage
IN THE FRIDGE: This rhubarb dump cake should be served warm. It can be stored in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days in a covered container. You can reheat individual servings in the microwave for 30 seconds.
IN THE FREEZER: Store this dump cake in an airtight container for up to 1 month in the freezer. Let it thaw in the fridge overnight when you are ready to serve it.
This easy rhubarb dump cake creates an amazing dessert in only a few minutes of prep time. With the tart and tangy freshness of rhubarb that just screams spring, you will have a new favorite dessert to add to your recipe box.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
You can often find rhubarb at the farmers’ market during rhubarb season, and if you are lucky, you can sometimes find it at the grocery store as well.
The stems, roots, and leaves of a rhubarb plant are poisonous because of their high oxalic acid content. The rhubarb stalks, however, are not and can be eaten safely.
You can substitute white cake mix for yellow cake mix in this simple recipe.
More Recipes You’ll Love
- Cherry Dump Cake
- Apple Dump Cake
- Pumpkin Dump Cake
- Peach Dump Cake
- Caramel Apple Dump Cake
- Chocolate Dump Cake with Cherries
- Easter Bunny Cake
- Strawberry Rhubarb Cobbler
- Strawberry Rhubarb Cake
- Rhubarb Upside Down Cake
- Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake
- Pineapple Upside Down Dump Cake
- Blueberry Cheesecake Dump Cake
- Butter Cake
- Crazy Cake
- Pecan Dump Cake
- Coffee Cake in a Mug
- Blueberry Pound Cake Recipes
- Black Forest Icebox Cake
Rhubarb Dump Cake
Ingredients
- 4 cups fresh rhubarb, (1 to 1¼ pounds) small diced
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup water, divided
- 15.25 ounces yellow cake mix super moist, (I used Betty Crocker)
- 1 cup unsalted butter melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spray a 9×13 pan with baking spray. Set aside.
- Combine the diced rhubarb, sugar, ½ cup water, cornstarch, and vanilla extract in a large bowl. Stir to combine evenly. Pour the mixture into your prepared pan.
- Evenly sprinkle the boxed yellow cake mix over the top of the rhubarb mixture. If needed, you can spread the cake mix to ensure that all the fruit is covered in an even layer.
- Drizzle the remaining ½ cup of water evenly over the layer of yellow cake mix.
- Carefully drizzle the melted butter evenly over the water and yellow cake mix.
- Bake for 45 minutes or until golden and bubbly. Remove the rhubarb dump cake from the oven and allow it to rest on the counter for 15 minutes before serving.
Notes
- When buying the cake mix at the grocery store, it is best to pick one that doesn’t have pudding mix in it; check the label to make sure.
- You’ll want to use a 9×13-inch cake pan so that the texture and consistency are right. I’ve used an 11x 7-inch pan before, and it turned out a little too thick, which changed the delicious texture of the dump cake.
- Rhubarb does need to be peeled or prepared beyond rinsing and cutting off the ends of the stalks. Do not consume any rhubarb leaves as they are toxic.
- Fresh rhubarb can sometimes have strings similar to celery that you can just pull off with a sharp paring knife. Usually, it is the larger stalks that have more strings. The smaller, more tender stalks can easily be sliced or diced without removing them.
- Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to keep a close eye on your rhubarb cake as the suggested baking time approaches.
Comments
Morgan says
Delish!
Ann-Marie says
Can frozen rhubbarb be used?
Darla says
Been making this for years –but no water on mine
Linda says
Going to be making this for the guys at my work but I don’t have unsalted butter. Can I use salted butter instead?
Layne Kangas says
Hi, Linda – yes, you can. Enjoy!
Elizabeth McKay says
My rhubarb is really growing well this spring. I can’t wait to try this recipe.
Debbie says
How does this keep, in refrigerator or counter?
Layne Kangas says
Hi, Debbie – This rhubarb dump cake should be served warm. It can be stored in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days in a covered container. You can reheat individual servings in the microwave for 30 seconds. Enjoy!
Annette says
This was absolutely delicious!