Blueberry Breakfast Cake Recipe

There's nothing quite like the smell of a fresh blueberry breakfast cake baking in your oven on a weekend morning. This delightful treat combines the comfort of homemade cake with the wholesome appeal of a breakfast dish, making it perfect for lazy Sunday brunches or special family gatherings. The tender, moist crumb studded with juicy blueberries creates a cake that's both satisfying and not overly sweet.

What makes this blueberry breakfast cake truly special is its versatility and foolproof nature. Whether you're hosting friends for brunch or simply want to elevate your morning routine, this recipe delivers consistent results every time. The combination of buttermilk and fresh blueberries creates a perfect balance of tang and sweetness that pairs beautifully with your morning coffee or tea.

Background & Why This Blueberry Breakfast Cake Stands Out

This particular blueberry breakfast cake recipe draws inspiration from classic American coffee cake traditions but with a modern twist that makes it lighter and more suitable for morning enjoyment. Unlike heavy dessert cakes, this version strikes the perfect balance between indulgent and wholesome, making it acceptable for breakfast while still feeling special enough for entertaining.

The secret lies in using buttermilk, which adds a subtle tang and helps create an incredibly tender crumb that practically melts in your mouth. Fresh blueberries are gently folded into the batter, ensuring they stay plump and don't sink to the bottom. This blueberry breakfast cake has become a go-to recipe for many home bakers because it's forgiving, requires no special techniques, and uses ingredients you likely already have in your pantry.

Jump to:

• Background & Why This Blueberry Breakfast Cake Stands Out
• Ingredients
• For the Cake Base
• Instructions
• Step 1 - Prepare Your Pan and Oven
• Expert Cooking Tips
• Recipe Variations & Substitutions
• Equipment Recommendations
• Storage & Meal Prep Tips
• Grandma's Secret That Changed Everything
• FAQ
• H2: Perfect Pairings for Your Morning Table
• Related
• Pairing
• Blueberry Breakfast Cake Recipe

Ingredients

For the Cake Base

• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Melted butter
• Egg
• Buttermilk
• Vanilla extract

For the Blueberry Addition

• Fresh blueberries (or 1 ¼ cups if using frozen)
• Flour (for coating berries)

For the Streusel Topping

• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Cold butter, cubed
• Cinnamon

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Step 1 - Prepare Your Pan and Oven

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan with butter or cooking spray.
3. Lightly dust the pan with flour, tapping out any excess.
4. Line the bottom with parchment paper for easy removal.

Step 2 - Mix the Dry Ingredients and Prepare Berries

1. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
2. In a separate bowl, toss blueberries with 2 tablespoons of flour to coat.
3. Create a well in the center of your dry ingredients.
4. Set both bowls aside while you prepare the wet ingredients.

Step 3 - Combine Wet Ingredients and Create Batter

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together melted butter, egg, buttermilk, and vanilla extract.
2. Pour the wet ingredients into the well of dry ingredients.
3. Gently fold the mixture together until just combined; don't overmix.
4. Carefully fold in the flour-coated blueberries, ensuring even distribution.

Step 4 - Add Streusel and Bake

1. Pour batter into your prepared pan and spread evenly.
2. Mix streusel ingredients with your fingers until crumbly.
3. Sprinkle streusel topping evenly over the batter.
4. Bake for 35-40 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.

Include the main keyword naturally in your instructions to help readers find this perfect blueberry breakfast cake recipe.

Expert Cooking Tips

Creating the perfect blueberry breakfast cake requires attention to a few key details that can make all the difference in your final result.

Berry Preparation Secrets:

• Always coat fresh or frozen blueberries in flour before folding them into the batter
• If using frozen berries, don't thaw them first; add them straight from the freezer
• Gently fold berries in with a spatula, not a mixer, to prevent bursting

Batter Consistency Tips:

• Don't overmix the batter; lumps are perfectly fine and actually preferred
• Room temperature ingredients blend more easily, so take eggs and buttermilk out 30 minutes early
• The batter should be thick but pourable; if too thick, add 1-2 tablespoons of buttermilk

Baking Excellence:

• Test doneness with a toothpick in the center; it should come out with just a few moist crumbs
• Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before serving to allow it to set properly
• For extra flavor, add a teaspoon of lemon zest to the batter

This attention to detail ensures your blueberry breakfast cake turns out perfectly every single time.

Recipe Variations & Substitutions

Transform this basic blueberry breakfast cake into something uniquely yours with these creative variations and dietary substitutions.

Flavor Variations:

• Lemon Blueberry: Add 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon zest and 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Almond Version: Replace vanilla with almond extract and add ¼ cup sliced almonds to streusel
• Spiced Cake: Include ½ teaspoon cinnamon and ¼ teaspoon nutmeg in the dry ingredients

Dietary Substitutions:

• Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in place of regular flour
• Dairy-Free: Substitute buttermilk with non-dairy milk mixed with 1 tablespoon vinegar
• Reduced Sugar: Cut sugar by ¼ and add ½ teaspoon stevia extract

Berry Alternatives:

• Mixed berries (strawberries, raspberries, blackberries)
• Diced apples with cinnamon
• Fresh or dried cranberries for a tart twist

Each variation maintains the essential character of this beloved blueberry breakfast cake while offering new flavor profiles to keep your breakfast table exciting.

Equipment Recommendations

Having the right tools makes preparing this blueberry breakfast cake much easier and ensures better results every time.

• 9x13 inch metal baking pan: Provides even heat distribution for perfect browning
• Large mixing bowls: At least two medium-large bowls for proper ingredient separation
• Wire whisk: Essential for combining dry ingredients without creating lumps
• Rubber spatula: Perfect for gentle folding that won't burst your blueberries
• Measuring cups and spoons: Accurate measurements are crucial for consistent results
• Parchment paper: Makes removal easy and prevents sticking

Having quality equipment transforms your baking experience and helps you achieve bakery-quality blueberry breakfast cake at home.

Storage & Meal Prep Tips

Proper storage keeps your blueberry breakfast cake fresh and delicious for days, making it perfect for meal prep and entertaining.

Short-Term Storage:

• Cover tightly with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container
• Keeps at room temperature for up to 3 days
• Refrigerate if your kitchen is particularly warm or humid

Long-Term Storage Options:

• Freeze individual slices wrapped in plastic wrap for up to 3 months
• Thaw overnight in refrigerator or 30 seconds in microwave
• Whole cake can be frozen for up to 2 months when properly wrapped

Make-Ahead Tips:

• Mix dry ingredients the night before and store covered
• Bake the evening before serving; flavors actually improve overnight
• Reheat individual slices for 15 seconds in microwave for fresh-baked taste

This advance preparation ensures you can enjoy fresh blueberry breakfast cake whenever the craving strikes.

FAQ

H2: Perfect Pairings for Your Morning Table

This delightful blueberry breakfast cake pairs wonderfully with other morning treats that complement its sweet, fruffy texture and bright berry flavors. The versatility of this recipe makes it a perfect centerpiece for any brunch spread.

Consider serving alongside our Blueberry Crumble Cheesecake Recipe for guests who want an extra indulgent option, or pair it with Blueberry Cream Cheese Muffins for a complete blueberry-themed breakfast buffet. Both recipes share similar flavor profiles while offering different textures and presentation styles. This blueberry breakfast cake also works beautifully with fresh fruit salads, yogurt parfaits, and strong coffee or tea to balance its sweetness and create a well-rounded morning meal that everyone will remember.

With love from my kitchen to yours,
Ashley Johnson

Related

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with this blueberry breakfast cake recipe: