Blueberry Coffee Cake Recipe

Blueberry Coffee Cake Recipe – Moist, Crumbly & Bursting with Berries

Have you ever wondered why some blueberry coffee cakes turn out dense and soggy while others achieve that perfect balance of moistness and crumb? The secret lies not just in the ingredients, but in the technique and timing that transforms simple components into a breakfast masterpiece.

This blueberry coffee cake recipe delivers a tender crumb texture with pockets of juicy blueberries and a buttery streusel topping that will make your kitchen smell like a professional bakery. Whether you’re hosting brunch or simply treating yourself to a special breakfast, this recipe guarantees satisfaction with every bite.

Ingredients List

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For the Cake:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened (substitute: coconut oil for dairy-free option)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup milk (substitute: almond or oat milk)
• 2 cups fresh blueberries (substitute: frozen blueberries, unthawed)
• 1 tablespoon flour (for coating blueberries)

For the Streusel Topping:

• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ⅓ cup brown sugar, packed
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

For the Optional Glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2-3 tablespoons milk or cream
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Timing

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Baking time: 45-50 minutes

Cooling time: 15 minutes

Total time: 1 hour 25 minutes

This blueberry coffee cake recipe is 30% faster to prepare than traditional yeast-based coffee cakes, making it perfect for weekend mornings when you want something special without spending hours in the kitchen.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Pan

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9-inch baking pan or 9-inch round cake pan with butter or cooking spray, then line with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides for easy removal. The parchment prevents the sugary streusel from sticking to the pan.

Step 2: Make the Streusel Topping

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add cold cubed butter and use your fingers or a pastry cutter to work the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Mix in nuts if using. Refrigerate while preparing the cake batter to keep the butter cold.

Step 3: Prepare the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. This pre-mixing ensures even distribution of leavening agents for a perfectly risen cake with consistent texture throughout.

Step 4: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Don’t rush this step – proper creaming incorporates air into the batter, resulting in a lighter, more tender cake.

Step 5: Add Wet Ingredients

Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is well incorporated. The emulsification of fats and liquids at this stage creates the foundation for your cake’s structure.

Step 6: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with milk, beginning and ending with flour (flour-milk-flour-milk-flour). Mix just until combined after each addition. Overmixing activates gluten, which can make your cake tough.

Step 7: Prepare the Blueberries

Toss blueberries with 1 tablespoon of flour until lightly coated. This prevents them from sinking to the bottom of the cake during baking. For frozen berries, use them straight from the freezer – thawing will release too much moisture.

Step 8: Fold in Blueberries

Gently fold the flour-coated blueberries into the batter using a rubber spatula. Use a light hand to prevent breaking the berries and turning your batter purple (unless that’s the look you’re going for!).

Step 9: Assemble and Bake

Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan. Sprinkle the streusel topping generously over the batter. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean with a few moist crumbs.

Step 10: Cool and Glaze

Allow the blueberry crumb cake to cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then use the parchment paper to lift it out onto a wire rack to cool completely. If desired, whisk together the glaze ingredients and drizzle over the cooled cake.

Nutritional Information

Per serving (based on 12 servings):

• Calories: 320
• Fat: 14g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Cholesterol: 65mg
• Sodium: 180mg
• Carbohydrates: 46g
• Fiber: 1.5g
• Sugar: 28g
• Protein: 4g

Blueberries add significant nutritional value to this recipe, providing approximately 3.6g of fiber per cup and delivering 24% of your daily vitamin C needs. They’re also packed with antioxidants that support heart health and cognitive function.

Healthier Alternatives for the Recipe

For a lighter version of this blueberry coffee cake recipe, consider these modifications:

• Replace half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat pastry flour for added fiber and nutrients
• Reduce sugar to ¾ cup in the cake and increase the blueberries to 2½ cups for natural sweetness
• Substitute Greek yogurt for half the butter to reduce fat while maintaining moisture
• Use almond milk instead of regular milk for fewer calories and no cholesterol
• Add 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseed to the batter for omega-3 fatty acids
• Skip the glaze entirely or use a light dusting of powdered sugar instead

Serving Suggestions

Elevate your blueberry coffee cake recipe with these serving ideas:

• Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla yogurt for a delightful contrast of temperatures
• Pair with fresh berries and a sprig of mint for a restaurant-quality presentation
• Offer alongside a cheese board for brunch – the cake’s sweetness balances perfectly with sharp cheddar
• Serve with lemon curd for a tangy complement to the sweet blueberries
• Create a coffee cake flight by cutting small squares and serving with different toppings: whipped cream, lemon zest, toasted coconut, and crushed pistachios
• For dessert, warm a slice and top with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Using cold ingredients: Room temperature eggs, butter, and milk blend more smoothly and create a better emulsion, resulting in a more tender crumb.
2. Overmixing the batter: This develops gluten and leads to a tough, dense cake. Mix just until ingredients are combined.
3. Skipping the flour coating for blueberries: Without this step, berries sink to the bottom instead of being evenly distributed.
4. Opening the oven door too early: This causes temperature fluctuations that can lead to uneven rising or sinking in the middle.
5. Under-creaming the butter and sugar: Properly creamed butter and sugar should be noticeably lighter in color and fluffy in texture.
6. Using the wrong pan size: A pan that’s too large will result in a thin, overcooked cake; too small and it may overflow or remain undercooked in the center.

Storing Tips for the Recipe

Keep your coffee cake fresh and delicious with these storage recommendations:

• Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days. The streusel will maintain its crunch best this way.
• Refrigeration: If keeping longer than 2 days, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Allow to come to room temperature before serving or warm slightly in the microwave.
• Freezing: Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
• Make ahead: Prepare the streusel topping up to 3 days in advance and store in the refrigerator. The cake batter can be made the night before and refrigerated; just add 5 minutes to the baking time.

Conclusion

This blueberry coffee cake recipe strikes the perfect balance between a tender crumb and juicy fruit, crowned with an irresistible streusel topping. The careful layering of flavors and textures creates a breakfast treat that feels both comforting and special.

Have you tried this recipe? I’d love to hear how it turned out! Share your experience in the comments below, or tag us in your photos on social media. For more delicious breakfast and brunch ideas, be sure to check out our collection of seasonal fruit recipes that make the most of nature’s bounty.