Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake

Martha Stewart Living

Makes 15 servings

    1 1/4 cups chilled unsalted butter                            
    1/4 cup lemon juice (2 lemons)                                
    1/3 cup cornstarch                                            
    2 3/4 cups sugar                                              
    1 pound strawberries hulled, sliced                           
    1 1/2 pounds rhubarb trimmed, 1-in pieces                     
    3 3/4 cups flour                                              
    1 teaspoon baking powder                                      
    1/2 teaspoon baking soda                                      
    Pinch salt                                                    
    2 eggs                                                        
    1 1/2 cups buttermilk                                         
    1 teaspoon vanilla extract                                    

Preheat oven to 350° Brush a 9-by-11-by-3-inch baking pan with butter, and set aside.

MAKE FRUIT SAUCE:
Combine lemon juice, cornstarch. and 1 cup sugar in a medium saucepan. Add strawberries and rhubarb; cook, stirring frequently, over medium heat, until rhubarb is soft and liquid has thickened, 15 lo 20 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl; let cool.

MAKE CRUMB TOPPING:
Combine 3/4 cup sugar and 3/4 cup flour in a medium howl. Melt 1/4 cup butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Drizzle butter over flour mixture; using your hands, mix until crumbly. Set aside.

MAKE CAKE BATTER:
Whisk together remaining 3 cups flour and 1 cup sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. Using a pastry knife or two forks, cut butter into flour mixture until it resembles coarse meal. In a separate bowl, mix eggs, buttermilk. and vanilla. Pour into flour mixture: stir to combine.

Spread half the cake batter evenly into the prepared pan. Top with half the fruit sauce. Carefully spread the remaining batter over the fruit, and top with the remaining fruit sauce. Sprinkle with the crumb topping.

Bake until cake is golden brown and springs back when touched in the center, about 1 hour. Transfer pan to a wire rack to cool slightly. Serve warm or at room temperature, cut into squares.