The “Cloud-Crumb” Blueberry Breakfast Cake
The buttermilk in this recipe reacts with the baking powder to create a tender, almost “fizzy” crumb that stays moist for days.
| Category | Details |
| Prep Time | 15 minutes |
| Bake Time | 35–45 minutes |
| Total Time | 1 hour |
| Yield | 1 (9-inch) square cake |
🍴 Ingredients
- The Fruit Prep:
- 2 cups Fresh blueberries (if using frozen, do not thaw!)
- 1 tbsp All-purpose flour (for coating)
- The Batter:
- ½ cup (1 stick) Unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup Granulated sugar
- 1 Large egg
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract & Zest of 1 lemon
- 2 cups All-purpose flour
- 2 tsp Baking powder & ½ tsp Salt
- ½ cup Buttermilk
- The “Morning” Topping:
- 2 tbsp Turbinado (coarse) sugar
👩🍳 Instructions
1. The Creaming Ritual
- Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease a 9-inch square baking pan.
- Cream the butter and 1 cup sugar until pale and fluffy (about 3 minutes). Add the egg, vanilla, and lemon zest, beating until combined.
2. The Dry & Wet Dance
- In a separate bowl, whisk the 2 cups flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture alternately with the buttermilk.
- The “Gentle” Tip: Mix until just combined. A few streaks of flour are better than an over-worked, tough cake.
3. The Blueberry Coat
- Toss your blueberries in that 1 tbsp of flour until they look dusty.
- Gently fold about ¾ of the berries into the batter.
4. The Layer & Sparkle
- Spread the batter into the prepared pan. Scatter the remaining berries over the top, pressing them in slightly.
- Sprinkle the coarse sugar generously over the surface. This creates a “shatter-crust” that mimics the top of a bakery-style muffin.
5. The Golden Test
- Bake for 35–45 minutes. The cake is done when a toothpick comes out clean and the edges have turned a deep, nutty brown.
- Let it cool in the pan for 15 minutes before slicing.
The “Lemon Glaze” Upgrade: If you want to turn this into a dessert, whisk 1 cup of powdered sugar with 2 tbsp of lemon juice and drizzle it over the cake while it’s still slightly warm. It will sink into the cracks and create a tart, zesty punch.