4.20 from 5 votes

Blueberry Buckle

Blueberry Buckle is a scrumptious single layer cake with juicy blueberries and a sweet crumbly streusel topping. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

Blueberry buckle in a glass pan.


This flavorful cake is going to be an instant family favorite and is my go-to recipe during blueberry season. It’s the perfect treat to serve up for breakfast, brunch, or even an afternoon snack with a cup of coffee. 

We live in an area where blueberries are plentiful during the summer months. You can pick wild blueberries on the side of the road or visit the local blueberry farm for a few hours of fun.

I have been making this Blueberry Buckle recipe for years, and let me say it is always an absolute delight to dish up. This is such a simple recipe that is great to make and serve for last minute guests, holiday gatherings, or a treat for you and your family. Truly, there is no wrong time to serve up this Blueberry Buckle Cake. 

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    This cake is not overly sweet, which is nice. I love the fresh blueberries and tender crumb in every bite. If you like fruit desserts, give this easy blueberry buckle recipe a try.

    recipe binder image

    Why You’ll Love This Classic Blueberry Buckle Recipe

    • Makes a delicious moist cake with loads of juicy berries
    • Perfect way to use up your blueberry picking
    • ​Can substitute other fresh seasonal fruit in place of the blueberries
    • Simple ingredients
    • Great choice for dessert, breakfast or a snack
    • An old-fashioned cake recipe

    ​Ingredients

    The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.

    • Unsalted butter
    • Sugar
    • Large eggs
    • ​Vanilla extract
    • All-purpose flour
    • Baking powder
    • Salt
    • ​Cinnamon
    • Buttermilk
    • Fresh blueberries

    Streusel Topping Ingredients

    • All-purpose flour
    • Sugar
    • Brown sugar
    • Cinnamon
    • Cold butter
    Blueberry buckle ingredients.

    How to Make Blueberry Buckle

    • Step One: Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease an 8-inch baking pan with butter or nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
    • Step Two: Add butter and sugar to a large bowl. Cream together with an electric mixer on medium until blended. Beat in eggs and vanilla.
    Steps to make blueberry buckle.
    • Step Three: In another bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon.
    • Step Four: Stir flour mixture and buttermilk into the sugar mixture until well blended.
    • Step Five: Stir in blueberries and spoon the batter into the prepared pan.
    Steps to make blueberry buckle.
    • Step Six: For the Streusel topping, combine all the ingredients except the butter in a medium bowl. Add butter in and mix until it becomes crumb-like in small pieces. You can use your clean hands or a pastry cutter. Sprinkle the streusel evenly over the top of the batter.
    Steps to make blueberry buckle.
    • Step Seven: Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick comes clean from the center of the cake. Let the cake cool before cutting into pieces.
    Steps to make blueberry buckle.

    Equipment Needed

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    What to Serve with Blueberry Buckle

    • Vanilla ice cream: Try my homemade vanilla ice cream.
    • Whipped cream: Try my homemade Cool Whip.
    • Fresh blueberries to sprinkle on top.
    • Lemon zest sprinkled on top to complement the blueberries.
    • Coffee, tea or a glass of milk.
    A spatula lifting up a slice of blueberry buckle.

    Variations and Substitutions

    • Switch out the fruit. Instead of blueberries, try raspberries, strawberries, or blackberries.
    • Add nutmeg or cardamom to the streusel mixture for more spice.
    • Add chopped pecans, walnuts or almonds to make a crunchy streusel.
    • Add lemon zest or almond extract to the cake batter for a flavor variation.
    • Make your own buttermilk if you don’t have any on hand.
    A spatula lifting out a piece of blueberry buckle cake.

    Storage Instructions

    If you plan to eat the buckle cake in the next day or two, you can store it on the counter at room temperature covered in plastic wrap or aluminum foil or in an airtight container. If your home is on the warm or humid side, it’s best to store in the fridge.

    For longer storage, store in an airtight container or covered in plastic wrap/aluminum foil for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. If you don’t like the cake served cold, heat it up for a few seconds in the microwave. 

    Can I Freeze Blueberry Buckle?

    Yes, you can freeze your blueberry buckle for longer storage. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then again in aluminum foil. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

    To thaw, let it sit at room temperature for a few hours or overnight in the refrigerator.

    A stack of three pieces of blueberry buckle on a plate.

    How to Make Your Own Buttermilk

    It’s easy to make your own buttermilk. All you need is milk and lemon juice (or white vinegar)!

    Add ½ cup milk to a bowl or measuring cup. Add ½ tablespoon of lemon juice OR white vinegar to the milk. Stir gently until combined. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes at room temperature until it thickens and curdles.

    What is A Buckle Cake?

    ​Buckle cakes are popular in New England and have similar ingredients to a coffee cake. They are made with fresh fruit like blueberries, blackberries or raspberries and sometimes have a streusel topping. 

    It’s called a “buckle” because the cake batter sinks (buckles) around the fruit as it bakes. This American dessert is popular in the summertime when it’s berry season.

    A piece of blueberry buckle with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.

    Optional Toppings

    • Whipped Cream. Add a dollop of whipped cream right on top of the cake. Dust with a little cinnamon for color and added flavor and dive right in.
    • Ice Cream. Go all out and serve it a la mode style. Scoop up some vanilla bean ice cream and serve warm.
    • Lemon Glaze. Make a simple glaze from powdered sugar and lemon juice to drizzle on the cake. You can also use lemon sauce.
    • Caramel Sauce. Drizzle caramel sauce for extra richness.
    • Blueberry Sauce. To really amp up that blueberry vibe!
    • Vanilla Sauce. I love this recipe because it’s easy to make and pairs perfectly with the sweet blueberries.
      Fresh berries. Add more blueberries (or other berries) for fresh colorful flavor.

    Recipe Tips 

    • Fresh Is Best. I reach for fresh blueberries when I make this cake for best taste and texture. 
    • Dust Blueberries in Flour. Adding a teaspoon of flour to your fresh blueberries will help them from sinking to the bottom of the cake. Just mix four around and dust off any excess before dumping into the batter. 
    • Frozen Blueberries. In a pinch you can easily use frozen blueberries. You might need to adjust the cooking time for frozen, and then also note that the more you stir, the more blue color will leak over the cake. 
    • Don’t Overmix. Overmixing the batter will result in a tough and dense cake. Mix until just combined.
    Pieces of blueberry buckle in a pan.

    FAQ

    Can You Use Other Fruits In Buckle Cake?

    You bet! I have tried all types of fruit, and let me say the combination is always a winner. Fresh strawberries, rhubarb, blackberries, raspberries, and more. The possibilities are endless. I have even made a mixed berry buckle cake that was full of fresh and vibrant flavors. 

    The Difference Between A Cobbler and Buckle Cake 

    A cobbler is a baked dessert that offers a fruit topping with either a biscuit-like batter spread over the top. You will find all the fruit is at the bottom and then the cake-like topping baked on top. 
    The buckle cake is a fruit filled cake that has a streusel topping. So when the fruit bakes along with the cake it resembles a buckled look. You could also say this is very similar to a coffee cake. 

    Can I Use Frozen Blueberries Instead of Fresh?

    Yes, you can use frozen blueberries in blueberry buckle. Don’t thaw the blueberries. Use them frozen in the recipe. If you thaw them, it will make the batter too wet and the cake might not rise properly. Make sure to toss them in flour to prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the cake. 
    You also may need to increase the baking time since they are colder than using fresh blueberries. Check the buckle with a cake tester or toothpick at the recommended baking time to see how much more time you’ll need to add. 

    Blueberry Desserts

    You’ll also like this Hot Fudge Pudding Cake and Peach Coffee Cake.

    Follow me on Instagram @simplystacieblog, Facebook at Simply Stacie, TikTok @simplystacierecipes or Pinterest at @simplystacie and let me know how you liked this recipe and my other recipes.

    4.20 from 5 votes

    Blueberry Buckle

    Created by Stacie Vaughan
    Servings 8
    Prep Time 15 minutes
    Cook Time 35 minutes
    Total Time 50 minutes
    A single layer of blueberry cake with a sweet streusel topping. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

    Ingredients
     
     

    • ¼ cup unsalted butter
    • ¾ cup granulated sugar
    • 2 large eggs
    • 1 tsp vanilla extract
    • 2 cups all-purpose flour
    • 2 tsp baking powder
    • ½ tsp salt
    • ½ tsp cinnamon
    • ½ cup buttermilk
    • 1 cup fresh blueberries

    Streusel Topping

    • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
    • ¼ cup granulated sugar
    • ¼ cup brown sugar dark or light
    • ½ tsp cinnamon
    • ½ cup unsalted butter hardened butter; make sure its not too soft!

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease an 8-inch baking pan and set aside.
    • Beat sugar and butter together with an electric mixer on medium until blended. Beat in eggs and vanilla.
    • In another bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon.
    • Stir flour mixture and buttermilk into the sugar mixture until well blended.
    • Stir in blueberries and spoon the batter into the baking pan.
    • For the Streusel topping, combine all the ingredients except the butter. Add butter in and mix until it becomes crumb like. Sprinkle the streusel evenly over the batter.
    • Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick comes clean from the centre of the cake. Let cool before cutting into slices.

    Notes

    Adding a teaspoon of flour to your fresh blueberries will help them from sinking to the bottom of the cake. Just mix four around and dust off any excess before dumping into the batter. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1g | Calories: 436kcal | Carbohydrates: 62g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 93mg | Sodium: 454mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 33g

    The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

    Course Desserts
    Cuisine American
    Keyword Blueberry Buckle

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    65 Comments

    1. I add freshly grated lemon zest to both the cake and the streusel when I make this. Really kicks it up a notch!

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