Blueberry Crumb Cake Is Bursting With Juicy Flavor

Blueberry crumb cake is tender and golden. It is scented with the floral flavors of lemon and bejeweled with juicy blueberries throughout. The crumb topping is delicately spiced and wonderfully crisp, providing an incredible contrast to the soft cake underneath.

For parties, book clubs, or any other type of gathering, blueberry crumb cake is a great choice because it's sweet but not covered in a sticky frosting, and it's easy to transport as it's baked in a single layer.

Learn how to make blueberry crumb cake. You'll be ready for blueberry season so you can make this weekly.

Ingredients for Blueberry Crumb Cake

The primary ingredients for blueberry crumb cake are baking staples, but a few additions make this dessert extra special. Here are a few of the significant ingredients for this recipe:

• Unsalted butter: For a tender cake with rich finish, butter is used in both the batter and the crumb topping. The butter keeps the topping from crisping up too much, but it ends up being a nice contrast to the fluffy cake.
• Light brown sugar and granulated sugar: Both types of sugars are used for the crumb topping, giving it great sweetness but also a rich caramel-like flavor. Sugar is also used in the cake for sweetness and to keep the cake more tender.
• Ground cinnamon and ground ginger: These warming spices are added to the crumb topping as a great contrast to the sweet-tart flavors of lemon and blueberry. You could add others like cardamom and cloves if you prefer those.
• All-purpose flour: This type of cake provides the just-right texture for the cake, and it's sturdy enough to keep the fruit from slipping all the way to the bottom of the cake.
• Sour cream: Sour cream is a secret weapon for a moist and tender cake. It helps to activate the leaveners, too, giving the cake its final rise.
• Lemon zest: Lemon zest lends a floral flavor to the cake without adding any tartness, so don't shy away from it. You could also use orange zest or a combination of the two if you like. But you only have to use 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon orange zest as it can be quite strong.
• Vanilla extract: An essential baking ingredient, vanilla extract helps to warm up all the flavors of the cake and balance everything.
• Baking powder and baking soda: Use both leavening ingredients so the cake will rise fluffy and tall.
• Fresh blueberries: The fresher, the better. Some will go in the batter and some on top.
  

How To Make Blueberry Crumb Cake

The full recipe for this crumb cake is below, but here's a brief outline and some handy tips.

• Step 1. Make the topping: Combine the topping ingredients until the mixture is crumbly. Set aside.
• Step 2. Make the cake batter: Mix the ingredients for the cake batter, beginning with the wet ingredients, then adding the dry ones.
• Step 3. Add the blueberries: Toss some of the blueberries with flour. We coat the blueberries lightly in flour before folding them into the batter to help them stay more suspended and not sink to the bottom in a single layer.
• Step 4. Assemble the cake: Add the batter to a prepared baking pan. Sprinkle the crumble topping on top, and add the remaining blueberries.
• Step 5. Bake the cake: Bake until the cake is golden brown and a wooden pick inserted in the middle comes out clean. If the cake is browning too quickly, cover it with aluminum foil to slow the browning.
• Step 6. Cool slightly: Once baked, let the cake cool slightly before removing it from the pan. Then let it cool completely or serve warm.

What's the Difference Between Coffee Cake and Crumb Cake?

The two types of cakes are very similar, but there are important differences. Coffee cake does not necessarily have to be topped by a crumb or streusel mixture. Also, crumb cakes tend to have a more ample layer of streusel.

How To Store Blueberry Crumb Cake

Store blueberry crumb cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days or in a refrigerator for up to four days. If refrigerated, gently warm the cake, or let come back to room temperature before serving. 

Tips for the Best Blueberry Crumb Cake

To get a truly great blueberry crumb cake, consider these notes from the Southern Living Test Kitchen:

• Size right: Blueberries from store-bought pints can be oversized. For best results, we like to use medium- to small-sized blueberries. 
• Get ahead: You can mix your Topping, crumble it, and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to use.