Philip Berndt

Phil Berndt with the Door County Visitor Bureau in Sturgeon Bay shares two of his secret family recipes…

“The first one features an oatmeal crust – if it was more cake-like, then it was Mrs. Teisling’s Rhubarb Cake. When I was growing up, my ‘Big Gramma’ (yes, we called her that – LOL) was a friend of Mrs. Teisling – an accomplished seamstress who designed wedding dresses and became well known for making Terry Anne Meeuwsen’s dress when she won the title of Miss America in 1973.”

Rhubarb Crunch

2C Flour
2C Quick Oatmeal
2C Brown Sugar
1/2t Salt*
1C Melted Butter
2t Cinnamon
4C(or more) Cut Rhubarb
* (original doesn’t call for salt but I find that the salt not only reduces the tartest edge of the Rhubarb, it also brings out the flavor)

1C White Sugar
2T Cornstarch
1C Water
1t Vanilla (I like a little more)

Mix: Flour, Oatmeal, Brown Sugar, Butter and Cinnamon.
Lightly press 3/4 mixture into 9×13 greased pan and cover with Rhubarb.

Mix: White Sugar and Cornstarch; add Water and cook until mixure bubbles and turns clear. Add Vanilla and pour over Rhubarb. Sprinkle remaining crumbs over the top.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 – 45 minutes.

(My Mom forwarded this recipe from our friend Gaela Jackson – one of the most wonderful people I know. It’s so good, you won’t even need ice cream!)

Variations: Add a little Raspberry (a sprinkle of berries, flavoring or liqueur); A handful of Cranberries or Door County Cherries? A little Zest of Lemon or Orange? Don’t go overboard because a little goes a long way.

(Not enough Rhubarb? You can cut this recipe in half or add cherries or strawberries to make up the difference)

Mrs. Teisling’s Rhubarb Cake

1C White Sugar
2T Flour
1/4t Salt
Combine and toss in 4C Cut Rhubarb and empty out into the bottom of a greased 8×11 pan.

Beat 1 Egg and 1C Milk and pour over Rhubarb.

Dice 2T Butter and place over mixture.

TOPPING

1C White Sugar
1t Baking Powder
1C Flour
Dash of Salt

Blend well; add 1 Beaten Egg and mix into dry crumbles.

Sprinkle over Rhubarb and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until center is done and golden brown.

This is a quick and easy cake that makes a great coffee cake as welll.

Enjoy! Phil