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) (frozen berries can be used)
- 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)
Adjust baking rack to center of the oven. Preheat to 375 degrees. Butter the bottom and sides of a 9" baking pan. Coat with fine bread crumbs. Set aside.
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Make the topping by using a pastry blender to cut the butter into the flour, sugar and cinnamon mixture. Set aside.
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Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. Sprinkle 1 1/2 tablespoons over the blueberries and toss gently. Set aside the remaining flour ingredients.
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Beat the butter to soften.
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Beat in the vanilla and sugar. Add egg and beat for one minute.
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On lowest speed, add the sifted ingredients alternately with...
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the milk
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Add the lemon zest
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| Add the batter to the berries (it will be stiff) |
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Fold gently
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Spread the batter into the prepared pan
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Sprinkle the nuts on top
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| 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 if desired.
