Gluten Free Rhubarb Bread with Streusel

This old fashioned Gluten Free Rhubarb Bread recipe is so moist! It's made with sour cream and baked with a cinnamon streusel layer.

My recipe for Rhubarb Bread was first published on Sunday Supper Movement where I am a contributor.

This Sour Cream Rhubarb Bread may just have converted me from being on the fence about rhubarb to a rhubarb lover.

I have to be honest...I've never been particularly excited about rhubarb. It's one of those foods that's kind of polarizing - People tend to either love it or hate it.

I was always in the 'hate it' group until recently I decided to venture out of my comfort zone and add it to some bread.

This recipe just may have converted me.

You can find a rhubarb patch on the edge of every garden in Minnesota. They're ubiquitous in this state come late spring/early summer.

You never really know where the rhubarb patch came from or who originally planted it but if you garden in the state of Minnesota chances are you tend a patch of rhubarb.

This usually means that rhubarb desserts start showing up at potlucks and gatherings. In the past I would have avoided them but now? I may just give them a try!

Jump to:

• What Is Rhubarb?
• Can I Use Frozen Rhubarb?
• How To Make Gluten Free Rhubarb Bread
• How To Make Streusel Filling
• Add The Cinnamon Streusel Layer To The Rhubarb Bread
• How Long Does Rhubarb Bread Take To Bake?
• How Long Does It Last?
• Can You Freeze Rhubarb Bread?
• Gluten Free Rhubarb Bread with Streusel

What Is Rhubarb?

What is rhubarb, anyway? Rhubarb is a perennial vegetable that consists of long stalks that are green and red or pink in color and and bushy dark green leaves.

The stalks are the only edible part of the plant - The leaves are poisonous as they contain oxalic acid so it is important that you do NOT eat that part!

The stalks may be used fresh or purchased frozen when out of season. Being that the cold rainy weather just doesn't want to end this year and garden are basically still dormant I went with frozen to make this rhubarb bread.

Can I Use Frozen Rhubarb?

Yes, the good thing is frozen works just as well as fresh.

1. To make this recipe simply thaw and drain 2 cups of frozen rhubarb.
2. Once it's completely thawed cut it into small slices. Rhubarb is VERY tart so I recommend keeping the slices very small. But if you love that tart flavor you can cut them any size you like!

How To Make Gluten Free Rhubarb Bread

Even though it's technically a vegetable rhubarb is usually treated like a fruit when it comes to cooking. You'll find it in all kinds of desserts and baked goods like muffins.

Y'all know how much I like my semi-sweet baked goodies so I thought a quick bread would be a great route to go.

This rhubarb starts with two mixing bowls - One for the wet ingredients and another for the dry.

1. In a large mixing bowl combine ½ cup (1 stick) of softened unsalted butter and 1 cup of sugar. Cream the butter and sugar together for a minute using a hand mixer or stand mixer until light and creamy.
2. Add 2 large eggs and ½ cup of sour cream OR plain Greek yogurt to the bowl. Mix for another 30 seconds (the mixture will look a little curdled at this point).
3. In a second mixing bowl combine 2 cups of a gluten free flour blend - I love Bob's Red Mill 1 to 1 Flour (use regular AP flour if not gluten free), 1 tsp. baking powder, 1 tsp. baking soda, and a pinch of salt. Mix together with a fork until combined.

1. The next step is to add the dry ingredients to the wet a bit at a time.
2. Stir the ingredients together each time you add more of the dry. Continue until all of the dry ingredients have been added to the wet and stir until completely combined.
3. Add the thawed rhubarb slices to the bowl and fold into the batter using a spatula.

Love semi-sweet bready recipes for breakfast? Don't miss these!

• Old Fashioned Fluffy Pancakes
• Banana Pancakes
• Pumpkin Waffles
• Jumbo Banana Muffins
• Cardamom French Toast
• Gluten Free French Toast Casserole

How To Make Streusel Filling

Now for the good stuff - The streusel topping. Well, it's not actually a 'topping' as the streusel is folded into the bread as opposed to sprinkled on top the concept is the same.

Streusel is a crumbly mixture of butter, flour, sugar, and spices and basically makes anything you add it to completely addicting. I love the texture of it in this rhubarb bread!

1. To make the streusel simply melt 2 Tbsp. of butter in a small bowl.
2. Add 4 Tbsp. brown sugar, 3 Tbsp. gluten free flour (use regular AP flour if not gluten free), 1 tsp. cinnamon, and ¼ tsp. kosher salt to the butter. Stir with a fork until combined.
3. Zest 1 lemon using a microplane or small grater. Add the lemon zest to the streusel and mix together until combined.

Cinnamon and lemon zest might seem like a weird flavor combo but it WORKS - Trust me. I wouldn't skip this step.

Love streusel? Don't miss these recipes!

• Pumpkin Coffee Cake with Streusel
• Old Fashioned Blueberry Buckle
• Cast Iron Apple Crisp
• Gluten Free Apple Crisp
• Gluten Free Apple Muffins

Add The Cinnamon Streusel Layer To The Rhubarb Bread

It's time to add the streusel layer and bake the Gluten Free Rhubarb Bread - I was concerned that the streusel might burn when baking so I thought it best to add it to the middle.

1. Butter and flour a bread pan before adding the batter to prevent it from sticking (use the gluten free flour for this if you are gluten free and regular AP flour if not).
2. Pour half of the batter into the pan, smooth with a spatula, and pour the streusel on top of it. The streusel layer may seem a little thick and it is - Because it's delicious.
3. Pour the remainder of the batter on top of the streusel and smooth with the spatula.

It's best to use glass baking pans, metal pans with a protective coating, or a nonreactive pan, as rhubarb is acidic and can cause discoloration to metal cookware.

How Long Does Rhubarb Bread Take To Bake?

Place the bread pan into an oven that has been heated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and bake for 65-70 minutes. Cooking times may vary. 

You can check if the bread is done by poking the center with a toothpick. The bread is finished when the toothpick comes out clean.

Remove the pan from the oven and allow to cool before serving.

Love quick breads? Don't miss this Coffee Infused Banana Bread and Roasted Banana Bread!

This Old Fashioned Rhubarb Bread makes a great dessert, breakfast, brunch item, or snack. I love it with some butter and, of course, a cup of coffee (I am a coffee-holic with no shame).

The sour cream or Greek yogurt makes this bread SO moist. The rhubarb has tang, the brown sugar gives it sweetness and crunch, and the cinnamon evens it out.

I used to turn my nose up at rhubarb but this may have converted me.

How Long Does It Last?

This Gluten Free Rhubarb Bread should last 3-4 days stored on the counter at room temperature or in the fridge stored in an airtight container.

It's always best to store quick breads wrapped in a towel or in a bread container to keep them moist.

To keep rhubarb bread fresh, simply place it in an airtight container and it should stay moist for a few days. You can also wrap it in plastic wrap or foil. 

Can You Freeze Rhubarb Bread?

Yes! Quick breads like this one can be frozen.

How To Freeze

1. Prepare the recipe as directed and allow to cool completely before transferring to the freezer for storage.
2. Wrap the cooled bread tightly in plastic wrap and then place in a freezer plastic bag up to 3 months.

How To Thaw

1. Simply transfer the bread to the fridge 24 hours before serving.
2. Alternately, you can allow the bread to thaw at room temperature.

If you like this Rhubarb Bread you'll love this Rhubarb Cake and Cinnamon Streusel Rhubarb Muffins!

Love old fashioned desserts? Check out these recipes!

• Scandinavian Almond Cake
• Pumpkin Bread Pudding
• Old Fashioned Sugar Cookies
• Cinnamon Sugar Buttermilk Apple Cake
• Maple Pumpkin Scones

Looking For More Rhubarb Recipes? Don't Miss These!

Rhubarb Galette

Classic Rhubarb Crisp

Rhubarb Banana Muffins

Rhubarb Pudding