Blueberry Buckle: a beautiful, old-fashioned treat to make this summer

If you're lucky enough to have loads of ripe sweet summer blueberries on your hands, why not make this amazing blueberry buckle recipe? Blueberry buckle is a classic, old-fashioned dessert that's perfect as a light breakfast or mid-afternoon snack, especially when served with a cup of tea or coffee.

With its sweet, moist cake layer bursting with juicy blueberries and wonderful sweet streusel topping, blueberry buckle is a summery version of a classic coffee cake. You can whip this incredible recipe up in no time. If you're serving blueberry buckle for dessert, don't forget a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

What is a Buckle?

A buckle is an old-fashioned dessert that consists of a single layer of moist, tender berry cake topped with a delicious streusel topping. The berries in the cake give it a buckled appearance, hence the name. Buckles are a type of coffee cake usually enjoyed as a lightly sweet breakfast with afternoon tea.

Old-fashioned Blueberry Buckle Ingredients

To make the streusel topping for your blueberry buckle, you'll need flour, brown sugar, white sugar, salt, cinnamon, and cold butter. Using cold butter is key. The mixture of brown and white sugar will give your streusel topping more flavor, but you can use all brown sugar for a sweeter, richer flavor.

For the cake, you'll need flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, butter, an egg, milk, and ripe blueberries. Either fresh or frozen blueberries work, but if you use frozen blueberries, be sure to let excess juice drain off them first so your blueberry buckle doesn't turn watery. Whole milk is best in the recipe, but you can use skim or plant-based milk instead.

How to Make Blueberry Buckle

It couldn't be easier to make a blueberry buckle at home. Even if you're not much of a baker, you'll find it's super simple to make this delicious dessert. Start by making the streusel topping. Combine the flour, white sugar, brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon in a bowl. Chop the cold butter into the flour with a knife or dough scraper until crumbly. Pop it in the fridge while you make the batter. Next, grease a baking dish with cooking spray. Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl.

In a second bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, then add in the egg and mix until it's nice and smooth. Alternating between the two, beat in flour and milk. Fold in the blueberries, making sure to be gentle so you don't burst the berries. Transfer the batter to a baking dish and top with the streusel. Bake your blueberry buckle at 375F for 30 to 35 minutes. Let it cool completely before serving.

Tips for Making the Best Blueberry Buckle

Unless otherwise noted, use room-temperature ingredients to make your blueberry buckle.

Instead of using only blueberries, add other seasonal berries like cherries, strawberries, and raspberries to make a mixed berry buckle.

Add orange or lemon zest for a bright pop of citrus.

For extra ease, use blueberry pie filling to make your blueberry buckle.

For single-serve options, you can make blueberry buckle muffins. Use a standard-sized muffin tin and bake the muffins for 15 to 18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

How to Store Blueberry Buckle

Wrap your blueberry buckle in cling film, then store it in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat it in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds if you'd like to serve it warm.

More Recipes You'll Like

• Blueberry pie
• Blueberry cheesecake crumb cake
• Blueberry rhubarb pie

Instructions

Mix the flour, white sugar, brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon in a bowl.

Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Cut the cold butter into the dry ingredients with a bench scraper until the mixture turns coarse and crumbly. Put in the fridge. Preheat your oven to 375F. Grease a baking dish with cooking spray.

In a second bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

Beat in the egg.

Alternating between the two, pour in milk.

Alternate flour too.

Fold in the blueberries.

Transfer the batter to a baking dish.

Scatter the topping evenly over the batter.

Spread it evenly and top it with more blueberries.

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from oven and cool completely.

Slice, serve and enjoy!

Notes

Use an 8×8-inch baking dish to make your blueberry buckle.