Nana's Rhubarb Cake

Growing up on the farm north of Bon Accord, AB there was a rhythm to the day, especially at Nana and Papa's place across the valley. The passing of the day was marked with meals. Breakfast, coffee, lunch, coffee, supper. No matter the tasks of the day these meals were observed. My favourite, of course, was coffee time. This was when treats were usually presented on the kitchen table. Peanut butter cookies and Rhubarb Cake seem to me to be the usual suspects for coffee-time treats, but I'm sure Nana mixed it up more than I recall.

In the summer, Rhubarb Cake ruled. I still think of Nana and Papa, the squeaky kitchen floor of the old farm house and the weird whirring and grinding of the electric clock on the wall above the telephone every time I cut rhubarb. I love that smells like these can trigger my memories so easily. They are very fond memories indeed.

So, here is Nana's Rhubarb Cake recipe. I hope it creates fond memories for your family as it did for me.

1-1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking soda dissolved in 1 cup milk
2 cups flour
2 cups cut rhubarb

Mix all ingredients together and place batter in 8" x 12" pan.

Topping
1/2 cup white sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp butter
Mix and sprinkle over batter

Bake the whole thing at 350 degrees for 35 minutes.