This strawberry rhubarb coffee cake with a cream cheese filling and light crumb topping is a perfect spring and summer dessert.

Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake - A biscuit-like cake topped with a cream cheese filling and homemade strawberry rhubarb jam.

Nothing screams spring to me more than seeing gorgeous pink stalks of rhubarb at the grocery store.

I never grew up eating rhubarb desserts, but when my husband and I started dating, he told me about the strawberry-rhubarb pies that his grandmother used to make, and how amazing they were. It didn’t take long to try my hand at my own strawberry-rhubarb pie, and then I went on a roll with rhubarb crumb cake, a rhubarb-ginger crumble, and vanilla bean rhubarb-ginger scones.

This fabulous coffee cake has a biscuit-like texture, along with a cream cheese filling and a quick and easy strawberry rhubarb jam baked right in… a perfect springtime dessert or brunch treat!

Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake - A biscuit-like cake topped with a cream cheese filling and homemade strawberry rhubarb jam.

I made this for our Sunday dinner dessert last weekend, and it was met with rave reviews. A nice change of pace from heavy desserts, the multiple components make for a fantastic combination. If I’m not eating chocolate for dessert, then I’m quite happy eating something with a cheesecake layer!

Do you have any favorite rhubarb desserts? I’d love to play around with more recipes this spring, so share them below if you’d like!

Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake - A biscuit-like cake topped with a cream cheese filling and homemade strawberry rhubarb jam.

Five years ago: My Dad’s Favorite Chocolate Birthday Cake
Seven years ago: Honey-Vanilla Sour Cream Pound Cake

Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake - A biscuit-like cake topped with a cream cheese filling and homemade strawberry rhubarb jam.

Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake

This strawberry rhubarb coffee cake with a cream cheese filling and light crumb topping is a perfect spring and summer dessert.
4.78 (9 ratings)

Ingredients

For the Strawberry Rhubarb Jam

  • 1 ½ teaspoons (1.5 teaspoons) cornstarch
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 4 ounces (113.4 g) fresh strawberries, coarsely chopped (about 3/4 cup)
  • 4 ounces (113.4 g) fresh or frozen rhubarb, coarsely chopped (about 3/4 cup)
  • 1 tablespoon water

For the Cream Cheese Filling

  • 8 ounces (226.8 g) cream cheese, at room temperature
  • ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 egg

For the Cake

  • 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (113.5 g) unsalted butter, cold, cubed
  • ½ teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon (0.25 teaspoon) salt
  • ¾ cup (172.5 ml) sour cream
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9-inch springform pan and line the bottom with a circle of parchment; grease the parchment and set the pan aside.
  • Make the Strawberry Rhubarb Jam: In a small saucepan, stir together the cornstarch and sugar, then stir in the strawberries, rhubarb and water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to maintain a simmer and cook, uncovered, for 6 to 8 minutes, or until thickened, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and set aside.
  • Make the Cream Cheese Filling: In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar on medium speed until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add the egg and mix to combine.
  • Make the Cake Batter: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and sugar, then cut in the butter until it is the size of small peas. Reserve ¾ cup. Stir the baking powder, baking soda, and salt into the remaining flour mixture. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the sour cream, egg, and vanilla extract, then stir into the flour mixture with a rubber spatula until thoroughly combined.
  • Spread the batter (it will be thick) onto the bottom and ½ inch up the sides of the pan. Spread the cream cheese filling over the batter, leaving a ½-inch border. Spoon the strawberry mixture in dollops over the top, then sprinkle with the reserved crumb mixture.
  • Bake until the edges are golden brown, 40 to 50 minutes. Cool for 20 minutes, then loosen the sides from the pan and cool completely before serving. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Notes

Nutritional values are based on one serving
Calories: 395kcal, Carbohydrates: 45g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 21g, Saturated Fat: 12g, Cholesterol: 91mg, Sodium: 214mg, Potassium: 164mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 25g, Vitamin A: 755IU, Vitamin C: 7.8mg, Calcium: 73mg, Iron: 1.5mg

Did you make this recipe?

Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @thebrowneyedbaker on Instagram so I can see it!

Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake - A biscuit-like cake topped with a cream cheese filling and homemade strawberry rhubarb jam.