Heavenly Blueberry Crumb Coffee Cake
Experience the delightful harmony of succulent blueberries nestled within a rich and buttery cake, crowned with a perfectly crumbly streusel topping. This coffee cake is a magnificent centerpiece for your breakfast table or a special treat for tea time, adapted from Cook's Illustrated. Teeming with a generous four cups of fresh blueberries, the cake remains deliciously moist without turning soggy. Each slice offers a taste reminiscent of Einstein Bagel’s famous version, yet elevated to a homemade delight that’s easily made even while on a leisurely vacation. With about 10 minutes of hands-on preparation, this recipe reveals an outstanding balance of flavor and texture in every delectable bite.
8
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Unbleached all-purpose flour
2 cups (divided)
Light brown sugar
1/2 cup
Granulated sugar
2/3 cup + 2 tbsp (divided)
Ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon
Table salt
1/2 teaspoon + 1 pinch (divided)
Unsalted butter
14 tablespoons (cut into pieces, softened but cool)
Baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons
Lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon
Vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons
Large eggs
2 (room temperature)
Fresh blueberries
4 cups (picked over)
Instructions
1
Begin by preparing the streusel topping. In a standing mixer outfitted with a flat beater, blend 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 cup light brown sugar, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt on low speed. Mix until the ingredients are evenly combined and any brown sugar lumps have disappeared, approximately 45 seconds.
2
With the mixer still on low, cut the 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter into 8 pieces and incorporate into the mixture. Continue mixing until the streusel resembles damp sand with no noticeable chunks of butter, which should take about 2 1/2 minutes. Move the completed streusel to a small bowl and set aside.
3
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), positioning the rack in the lower-middle slot. Prepare a 9-inch round cake pan (or a similar-sized shallow rectangle dish for a neat square presentation) by coating it with a nonstick cooking spray.
4
For the cake, sift together 1 1/2 cups of flour and 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder in a small bowl and set aside.
5
In the standing mixer, cream 10 tablespoons of unsalted butter with 2/3 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of lemon zest at a medium-high speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, which should take about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed.
6
Add in 1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla extract and blend until combined, about 30 seconds.
7
With the mixer on medium, incorporate the eggs one at a time. Scrape down the bowl after each addition to ensure even mixing.
8
Reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually incorporate the flour mixture. Mix until almost combined, leaving the batter slightly uneven to incorporate by hand.
9
Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the batter by hand until no dry flour remains. The batter will be thick and heavy.
10
Carefully fold in the 4 cups of fresh blueberries so they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
11
Transfer the thick batter to the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly with the spatula to reach all edges. Smooth the top for an even surface.
12
Evenly sprinkle the prepared streusel over the surface of the batter.
13
Bake the cake for approximately 55 minutes or until it achieves a deep golden brown color, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
14
Allow the cake to cool on a wire rack for 15 to 20 minutes, where it may slightly deflate.
15
Let the cake cool until it's warm or reaches room temperature, for at least one hour. Slice it into wedges or squares and serve.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Heavenly Blueberry Crumb Coffee Cake?
It is a rich and buttery cake filled with four cups of fresh blueberries and topped with a crumbly streusel topping.
How many blueberries are needed for this recipe?
The recipe calls for a generous 4 cups of fresh blueberries.
What is the preparation time for this cake?
The cake requires approximately 10 minutes of hands-on preparation time.
What type of pan is best for this coffee cake?
A 9-inch round cake pan or a similar-sized shallow rectangle dish is recommended.
At what temperature should the oven be preheated?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
How do I prepare the streusel topping?
Mix 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 cup light brown sugar, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, and a pinch of salt, then incorporate 4 tablespoons of butter until it resembles damp sand.
What ingredients are in the streusel?
The streusel contains flour, light brown sugar, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, salt, and unsalted butter.
Should the butter for the streusel be melted?
No, the butter should be cut into pieces and mixed until the texture resembles damp sand.
How much flour is used in total for the recipe?
A total of 2 cups of unbleached all-purpose flour is used, divided between the cake and the topping.
What is the purpose of lemon zest in the cake?
The 1/2 teaspoon of lemon zest adds a bright flavor that complements the blueberries.
How many eggs are required?
The recipe requires 2 large eggs at room temperature.
How long should the cake bake?
Bake the cake for approximately 55 minutes until it is deep golden brown.
How do I know when the coffee cake is finished baking?
The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes 8 servings.
What is the total amount of butter needed for the whole recipe?
A total of 14 tablespoons of unsalted butter is required.
Why is the batter mixed by hand at the end?
Folding by hand helps ensure the thick batter is not overmixed before adding the blueberries.
Should the blueberries be fresh or frozen?
The recipe specifically calls for 4 cups of fresh blueberries.
What should I do to the cake pan before baking?
Coat the baking pan with a nonstick cooking spray.
How long should the cake cool before serving?
Allow the cake to cool on a wire rack for 15 to 20 minutes, then let it sit until warm or room temperature for at least one hour.
What flavor profile does this cake have?
It offers a balance of buttery cake, sweet-tart blueberries, and a cinnamon-sugar crumb topping.
Does this recipe taste like any store-bought versions?
The description mentions it is reminiscent of Einstein Bagel’s famous blueberry coffee cake.
Where should the oven rack be positioned?
The rack should be positioned in the lower-middle slot of the oven.
What type of sugar is used in the cake batter?
The cake batter uses 2/3 cup of granulated sugar.
How much vanilla extract is used?
The recipe uses 1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla extract.
Is the batter thin or thick?
The batter is described as thick and heavy, especially once the blueberries are folded in.
Can I use salted butter?
The recipe calls for unsalted butter to better control the salt content.
What is the preparation for the blueberries?
The blueberries should be picked over to remove any stems or damaged fruit.
How long should I cream the butter and sugar?
Cream them on medium-high speed for about 3 minutes until light and fluffy.
Does the cake deflate after baking?
Yes, the cake may slightly deflate while cooling on the wire rack.
What category of food does this recipe fall into?
It is categorized as a breakfast item, dessert, or a tea time treat.