Ina Garten’s Dreamy Blueberry Crumb Cake Recipe For Sunday Brunch

When summer berries burst with sweet, vibrant flavor, this Ina Garten blueberry crumb cake recipe becomes an instant favorite among home bakers.

Her classic approach turns simple ingredients into a mouthwatering dessert that sings with fresh blueberry goodness.

Rich, buttery crumbs cascade over plump berries nestled in a tender cake base.

The golden-brown top promises a delightful crunch with every single bite.

Delicate and not too sweet, this cake works perfectly for breakfast or an afternoon treat.

The recipe balances rustic charm with sophisticated flavors that will impress anyone who takes a slice.

Grab your mixing bowl and get ready to bake a dessert that celebrates summer’s most delicious fruit.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 8

Ina Garten’s Blueberry Crumb Cake Ingredient Line-Up

• Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel-like sweetness and helps create golden, crispy texture.
• Cinnamon: Brings warm, aromatic spice that complements blueberries perfectly.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides additional sweetness and helps with crumb formation.
• Nutmeg: Introduces subtle, exotic warmth to enhance overall flavor.
• Flour: Helps bind the crumb topping ingredients together.
• Melted Butter: Creates rich, buttery crumb that becomes wonderfully crisp when baked.

• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create tender cake texture.
• Butter: Delivers rich flavor and contributes to cake's smooth, soft consistency.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients, add structure, and provide moisture.
• Vanilla: Adds classic, aromatic flavor that enhances other ingredients.
• Lemon Zest: Introduces bright, citrusy notes that complement blueberries.
• Sour Cream: Ensures cake remains moist and tender.
• Flour: Forms the base of cake's structure.
• Baking Soda: Helps cake rise and creates light texture.
• Baking Powder: Provides additional leavening.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor.

• Blueberries: Bring burst of juicy sweetness and beautiful color throughout cake.

Kitchen Gear for Blueberry Crumb Cake Success

• Electric Mixer with Paddle Attachment: Essential for creaming butter and sugar, creating a fluffy cake base.
• Large Mixing Bowls: Needed for preparing crumb topping and cake batter.
• 9-inch Circular Baking Pan: Perfect for creating the classic cake shape.
• Spatula: Helps fold blueberries into batter and spread mixture evenly.
• Knife: Used to level batter in the pan.
• Cake Tester or Toothpick: Checks cake doneness by inserting near center.
• Sifter or Fine Mesh Strainer: Helps combine dry ingredients smoothly.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient proportions.

Bake a Beautiful Crumb Cake by Ina Garten

• Oven Preparation

Warm the oven to a cozy 350 degrees. Grease a round cake pan with a generous butter coating and light flour dusting.

• Crumb Topping Creation

Mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and other sweet spices into a delightful crumbly mixture. Fold in soft melted butter until the topping feels like sandy beach texture.

• Cake Base Foundations

Whip butter and sugar together until they transform into a fluffy cloud-like consistency. This takes about 4-5 minutes of energetic mixing.

• Wet Ingredient Fusion

Gently incorporate eggs one at a time. Splash in vanilla, sprinkle lemon zest, and swirl in smooth sour cream. These ingredients dance together creating a rich base.

• Flour Integration

Sift dry ingredients into the creamy mixture. Fold softly to maintain the cake’s tender personality. Carefully fold fresh blueberries throughout the batter.

• Pan Assembly

Transfer batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the surface. Scatter the crumb topping generously across the cake’s surface, using fingertips to create rustic peaks and valleys.

• Baking Magic

Bake for 40-50 minutes until a testing skewer emerges clean. Allow the cake to cool completely. Before serving, dust with a delicate snow of powdered sugar.

Make Crumb Cake Magic with These Flavor Tips

• Toss fresh blueberries in a tablespoon of flour before adding to the batter to prevent sinking and ensure even distribution throughout the cake.
• Experiment with adding chopped nuts like almonds or pecans to the crumb mixture for extra crunch and nutty depth.
• Prepare the cake a day in advance and store at room temperature, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap to maintain moisture and enhance flavor development.
• Replace blueberries with other seasonal berries like raspberries or blackberries for a delightful twist on the classic recipe.
• Substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt or dairy-free alternatives to create a lighter, allergy-friendly version of the crumb cake.

How to Present Ina Garten’s Blueberry Crumb Cake

• Savor Sweet Breakfast Moments: Pair this blueberry crumb cake with a steaming cup of hot coffee or freshly brewed tea for a delightful morning treat.
• Elevate Dessert Presentation: Serve a slice with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to add extra indulgence and creamy texture.
• Create Brunch Centerpiece: Arrange the cake on a beautiful serving platter with fresh blueberries scattered around, making it a stunning centerpiece for weekend gatherings or special occasions.
• Pack Perfect Picnic Treats: Slice the cake into portable squares, wrap individually in parchment paper, and pack for a delicious outdoor meal or afternoon snack.

Keep Crumb Cake Moist with These Storage Tips

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store the blueberry crumb cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent drying out.
• Freeze for Later: Slice the cake before freezing for easy individual servings. Wrap each slice in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Keeps well for 2-3 months.
• Room Temperature Trick: Let the cake sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to enhance its flavor and softness. Bringing it to room temperature helps restore its original texture.
• Freshness Tip: Keep the crumb topping crisp by avoiding direct plastic wrap contact. Place a layer of parchment paper between the cake and cover to prevent sogginess and preserve the delightful crumbly texture.

Heavenly Blueberry Crumb Cake Recipe

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4.7 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s blueberry crumb cake combines rich buttermilk batter with plump berries and a crisp streusel topping. Home bakers can master this classic dessert with simple ingredients and straightforward techniques.

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Ingredients

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• ¼ pound (113 g) unsalted butter, melted
• 6 tbsps (85 g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 cup fresh blueberries
• ⅔ cup sour cream
• 1 ⅓ cups (167 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 ¼ cups (156 g) all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
• ⅓ cup (70 g) light brown sugar, lightly packed
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• ½ tsp grated lemon zest
• Confectioners’ sugar for sprinkling

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F. Thoroughly grease a 9-inch round baking pan with butter and flour to prevent adhesion.
2. Crumb Topping: Combine brown sugar, cinnamon, granulated sugar, nutmeg, flour, and melted butter in a mixing bowl. Blend until a coarse, crumbly texture develops.
3. Butter Mixture: Cream granulated sugar and softened butter using an electric mixer until light, fluffy, and pale, approximately 4-5 minutes.
4. Wet Ingredients Integration: Gradually incorporate eggs, ensuring each is fully blended. Fold in vanilla extract, lemon zest, and sour cream until achieving a smooth consistency.
5. Dry Ingredients: Sift flour, baking soda, salt, and baking powder together, eliminating potential lumps and ensuring even distribution of leavening components.
6. Batter Assembly: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture on low speed, mixing minimally. Delicately incorporate blueberries using a rubber spatula to prevent berry breakage.
7. Pan Placement: Distribute batter evenly in prepared pan. Artfully sprinkle crumb topping across surface, using fingertips to create a textured landscape.
8. Baking Process: Bake for 45-55 minutes until a cake tester reveals minimal moist crumbs when inserted near the center.
9. Finishing Touch: Allow cake to cool completely in pan for one hour. Dust with powdered sugar before serving for an elegant presentation.

Notes

• Boost Butter Freshness: Use room temperature butter for smoother creaming and better cake texture, ensuring ingredients blend seamlessly.
• Prevent Blueberry Sinking: Lightly coat fresh blueberries in flour before folding into batter to prevent them from sinking during baking.
• Master Mixing Technique: Mix dry ingredients separately and fold gently into wet mixture to avoid overmixing, which can create a tough cake texture.
• Perfect Crumb Topping: Press crumb mixture lightly onto cake surface to create a crispy, defined layer that won’t completely dissolve during baking.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 28 g
• Sodium: 220 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 43 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg