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Old-Fashioned Blueberry Coffee Cake

Old-Fashioned Blueberry Coffee Cake

 Blueberries are finally starting to taste good again. For months, they’ve been tasteless and mealy but with the advent of spring, they’re back in markets with a much better flavor and texture — just in time for a coffeecake.

The recipe is from Bon Appétit magazine and was just the thing for serving warm from the oven when three of my high school friends came visiting earlier this week. It holds up well too at room temperature, even for a couple of days. That is, if you can keep from eating the whole thing right away.

 

(My notes in red.)
Ingredients
Servings: 8–12

Crumb Topping

  • 1/2
    cup
    all-purpose flour
  • 1/4
    cup
    plus 2 tablespoons (packed) dark brown sugar
  • 1/2
    teaspoon
    kosher salt (I’d use just a pinch of table salt here next time.)
  • 1/4
    cup
    pecans, toasted, chopped
  • 3
    tablespoons
    chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/4-inch cubes

Cake

  • Nonstick vegetable oil spray
  • 1 1/2
    cups
    all-purpose flour
  • 1
    tablespoon
    cornmeal
  • 1/2
    teaspoon
    baking powder
  • 1/2
    teaspoon
    baking soda
  • 1/4
    teaspoon
    kosher salt (I would use just a pinch of table salt next time)
  • 3/4
    cup
    plus 3 tablespoons sugar, divided
  • 6
    tablespoons
    (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1/2
    teaspoon
    vanilla extract
  • 2

    large eggs

  • 1
    cup
    buttermilk
  • 1
    tablespoon
    ground cinnamon
  • 2
    cups
    fresh (or frozen, thawed) blueberries (about 10 ounces)
  • 1
    tablespoon
    panko (Japanese breadcrumbs) (not necessary – the Panko doesn’t really stick to the blueberries anyway)

Instructions:

 

  • Preheat oven to
    350°. Coat 8 x 8 inch pan with nonstick spray. Line bottom with parchment paper;
    set aside. (I used a buttered cast iron skillet.) Whisk flour, cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda, and salt
    in a medium bowl; set aside.
  • Using an
    electric mixer on medium speed, beat 3/4 cup sugar and butter in a
    medium bowl until light and fluffy, 3–4 minutes. Beat in vanilla. Add
    eggs one at a time, beating to blend between additions and occasionally
    scraping down sides of bowl, until mixture is pale and fluffy, 3–4
    minutes longer.
  • With mixer on
    low speed, add dry ingredients to bowl in 3 additions, alternating with
    buttermilk in 2 additions, beginning and ending with dry ingredients.
    Pour half of batter into prepared pan and smooth top. Whisk remaining 3
    Tbsp. sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl; sprinkle evenly over batter in
    pan. Spoon remaining batter over; smooth top.
  • Toss blueberries with panko in a small bowl; scatter evenly over batter. Sprinkle crumb topping over blueberries.
  • Bake cake until
    top is golden brown and a tester inserted into the center comes out
    clean, 55–65 minutes. Let cool completely in pan. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1
    day ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.
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This Post Has 12 Comments

  2. Your coffee cake looks so good. I've always loved the crumbly topping on the cakes. We still have frozen blueberries from last season but they are almost gone. I'm glad to hear that they are tasting better because we really enjoy our blueberries. Frankly right now I'm hankering for some coffee — that cup in your photo has me craving caffeine. I'm pinning the recipe! Buona serata.

  4. Blueberry prices really fluctuate here, right now they're so expensive but blackberries they're practically giving away, I bet this would be just as good with blackberries, love the topping!

  5. re fiddleheads on your instagram page ( I can't get into it to answer there ). I steam them for a few minutes then toss in melted butter and usually serve with salmon. They are delicious. Sometimes I add almonds or mushrooms. Lisa

  7. Give me a berry cake anyway. I am saving these for the June blueberries in our backyard. They all come in at once and one has to bake something! Perfect!

  10. I love blueberries! They have been very expensive here lately but once they come down in price I'll keep this recipe in mind–it looks perfect to enjoy for the upcoming summer barbecue season.

  12. What a lovely coffee cake that highlights fresh blueberries! I know that you're having a great trip in Peru and have SO ENJOYED your posts and photos on Facebook! Happy travels!
    Ciao,
    Roz

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