Description
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cake:
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled, plus 1 tablespoon for blueberries
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Zest of 1/2 a lemon (optional, enhances flavor)
- 6 tablespoons (3 oz) salted butter, softened to room temperature
- 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt, room temperature
- 1/2 cup whole milk, room temperature
- 2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries (do not thaw if frozen)
For the Cinnamon Crumb Topping:
- 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) salted butter, melted and cooled slightly
- 3 tablespoons (38g) granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons (25g) packed light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
- 1/2 cup (63g) all-purpose flour
Optional Garnish:
- Powdered sugar (confectioners’ sugar), for dusting
Instructions
1. Make the Cake Batter:
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Spray an 8×8 inch square baking pan with nonstick spray and line with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal. Set aside.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the 2 cups all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and lemon zest (if using). Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Add the softened butter to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or use a large bowl and hand mixer). Cream the butter on medium-high speed for 1-2 minutes. Add the granulated sugar and continue to cream together for another 2 minutes, or until light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Add the room-temperature egg, vanilla extract, and room-temperature Greek yogurt. Beat until combined. Reduce the speed to low and gradually stream in the room-temperature milk until the mixture comes together. (Note: The mixture might look slightly curdled at this point, which is okay).
- Combine Wet and Dry: With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Prepare and Fold in Blueberries: In a separate small bowl, toss the blueberries (fresh or frozen) with the 1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour until lightly coated (this helps prevent sinking). Gently fold the floured blueberries into the batter using a rubber spatula. The batter will be thick.
2. Make the Crumb Topping:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the melted (and slightly cooled) butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and pinch of salt until smooth.
- Add the 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour and stir with a fork until the mixture is moistened and forms coarse crumbs resembling wet sand.
3. Assemble and Bake:
- Transfer Batter: Transfer the batter to the prepared pan, smoothing out the top evenly with a rubber spatula.
- Add Topping: Using your fingertips, crumble the topping mixture evenly over the surface of the batter.
- Bake: Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the crumble topping is golden brown, the center of the cake is set, and a wooden toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Let the cake cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before removing and slicing. Cooling completely allows the cake to set and prevents crumbling.
4. Serve: Once cool, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the cake from the pan. Cut into 9 squares. Finish with a generous dusting of powdered sugar, if desired.
Notes
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Using room-temperature butter, egg, yogurt, and milk helps the batter mix evenly and achieve a better texture.
- Measuring Flour: Spoon and level the flour into the measuring cup for accuracy, or weigh it.
- Blueberries: Fresh or frozen blueberries work. Do not thaw frozen berries before tossing in flour and adding to the batter.
- Do Not Overmix: Mix the batter just until the flour disappears to ensure a tender cake.
- Cooling: Allowing the cake to cool completely is important for texture and clean slices.
- Storage: Store leftover cake covered tightly at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.