Sunday, May 12, 2019

Blueberry Crumb Cake



Source: Happiness Is Baking: Cakes, Pies, Tarts, Muffins, Brownies, Cookies: Favorite Desserts from the Queen of Cake (Little, Brown & Company, 2019), pg. 43. 
Also: Maida Heatter's Book of Great Desserts (Andrews & McMeel Publishing, 1999 ed.), pg. 96.

It has taken me a long time to try this wonderful recipe and it has to be one of Maida's best. Although it calls for fresh blueberries, I used frozen ones that I had in the freezer from last year. It was delicious. It is especially a wonderful treat with coffee in the morning. 

A very easy recipe to put together - 

Topping:

  • 1/3 cup sifted all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 2 oz. (1/2 stick) cup butter
Cake:
  • 2 cups fresh blueberries (about 1 pint)
  • 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 oz. (1/2 stick) cup butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • Finely grated rind of 1 lemon
  • 1/2 cup walnuts, cut medium fine
  • Confectioners sugar (0ptional)
The recipe as written can be found at the Pittsburgh Post Gazette.


When using frozen blueberries vs. fresh, I am usually perplexed as to whether or not you try to dry them after thawing. I did put them on a paper towel and pat them lightly. I don't think that did very much and it certainly did not seem to affect the recipe. I think the best option would be to use them frozen and not let them thaw. Nevertheless, thawing did not seem to make a difference. Sprinkle about 1 1/2 tablespoons of the dry ingredients on the berries and softly stir.

Make the topping by using a pastry blender to cut the butter into the flour, sugar and cinnamon mixture.
Beat the butter
Add egg and beat for one minute
Add the sifted ingredients alternately with...
 the milk
Add the lemon zest

Add the batter to the berries (it will be stiff)

Fold gently
Spread the batter into the prepared pan
Sprinkle the nuts on top
Add the reserved topping. Baker in 375 degree oven for 40-50 minutes until the top is brown. Let it cool in the pan for 30 minutes before removing.

The recipe says this is good served either warm or cold. I tried it both ways (of course!) and it is good either way. You can sprinkle confectioners sugar on it but I did not do this.Yum

5 comments:

Barbara said...

You've not listed the oven temperature for any of the recipes, why not. I assume they all bake at 350

Phillip Oliver said...

It is 375 - sorry about that!

Simone Cannon said...

hmmm, I followed all directions exactly and it's fine, but a bit dry. Is it supposed to be that way?

Phillip Oliver said...

Simone, I would guess too long a baking time. I've had this happen with other recipes although not this particular one. I start checking about 10 minutes before the given time on any recipe because ovens are all different.

Anonymous said...

Phillip, I made this blueberry cake for company, and it received raves. Thanks very much for posting the recipe. (I couldn't find the pan size in your post so I assumed it should be 8x8" and that worked.)