Buttermilk-Blueberry Breakfast Cake

I swear buttermilk is magic. I’ve dwelled on this before. Buttermilk seems to turn everything to gold. Super-moist, super-delicious gold.
Anyway, I needed a simple, summery, breakfasty, cake-like-but-not-dessert-like recipe to make this morning. One of Ben’s friends had crashed here last night, and I thought it only appropriate to treat him to a proper breakfast. In other words, I was craving sugar and carbs. The truth is I’ve been craving sugar and carbs and a cake like this for months. But seriously, who doesn’t crave having a good, seasonal, berry cake recipe in their morning-treat repertoire?
Nobody. And I think I’ve found the recipe that fits the bill. On an old photocopied sheet of paper in my mother’s hand writing, I spotted a note: “Baby Boy’s Favorite.” Oh Baby Boy. Baby Boy is my younger brother, my parents’ favorite child, and one of the most satisfying people to cook for. If it was Baby Boy’s favorite cake, it would soon be mine, too. This cake is delectable! I think you’ll like it, too.




Buttermilk-Blueberry Breakfast Cake
Serves 6-8
½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
2 tsp. lemon zest or more — zest from 1 large lemon
7/8 cup* + 1 tablespoon sugar**
1 egg, room temperature
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups flour (set aside 1/4 cup of this to toss with the blueberries)
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. kosher salt
2 cups fresh blueberries
½ cup buttermilk***
* 7/8 cup = 3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons
** This 1 tablespoon is for sprinkling on top
*** To make homemade buttermilk, place 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice in a liquid measuring cup. Fill cup with milk until it reaches the 1-cup line. Let stand for five minutes. Use only 1/2 cup of the prepared mixture for the recipe.
1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Cream butter with lemon zest and 7/8 cup of the sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until combined. Meanwhile, toss the blueberries with ¼ cup of flour, then whisk together the remaining flour, baking powder and salt.
3. Add the flour mixture to the batter a little at a time, alternating with the buttermilk. Fold in the blueberries.
4. Grease a 9-inch square baking pan (or something similar) with butter or coat with non-stick spray. Spread batter into pan. Sprinkle batter with remaining tablespoon of sugar. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes. Check with a toothpick for doneness. If necessary, return pan to oven for a couple of more minutes. (Note: Baking for as long as 10 minutes more might be necessary.) Let cool at least 15 minutes before serving.




alexandracooks
Aug 02, 2012 @ 20:35:28
Susan — Thanks so much for your response to Dana. And, yes, Dana, Susan’s got it right: You do not need to refrigerate the cake after it bakes. Hope it turned out well for you both!
alexandracooks
Aug 02, 2012 @ 20:42:24
Annie, bummer to hear about the loaf pan, and I’m sorry I didn’t get to you in time. I think this cake needs a pan with a larger surface area to let it bake properly. Sorry you didn’t get to see a pretty loaf! I hope it at least provided some sustenance on your camping trip!
Amie
Aug 03, 2012 @ 11:21:36
I may not get a response in time, but I am wondering if this would come out too dry as cupcakes? Thanks!
Eirian
Aug 03, 2012 @ 19:31:38
SO good! I converted it to a gluten free version for my dad and it was still moist and wonderful. Instead of regular flour I used 1 1/4 cups rice flour, 1/2 cup sweet rice flour, and 1/4 cup cornstarch. I also added a teaspoon of xanthan gum.
alexandracooks
Aug 03, 2012 @ 22:05:29
Eirian — So happy to hear this! Thanks for the gluten-free variation. That is awesome.
Kerry
Aug 04, 2012 @ 08:58:41
Found this on Pinterest and made this morning. Rave reviews from my family…especially the “baby boy” (my husband) who’s mom always makes him blueberry muffins
. Thanks!
Audra
Aug 04, 2012 @ 17:13:43
What do you think about subbing whole wheat flour for the regular flour in the recipe? Has anyone tried that?
Cheryl
Aug 04, 2012 @ 20:18:13
So there is no flour in this Breakfast Cake. Thanks and God Bless
Cheryl
Aug 04, 2012 @ 20:19:24
Sorry I just saw that there is flour. Have a Great Day
Jen
Aug 05, 2012 @ 08:00:09
Well my last attempt I added extra buttermilk because it was too dry and it still came out great. I have another one in the oven now and I was just more observant as I added the flour and buttermilk and ended up leaving out a little flour. I also added some cinnamon. I’ll let you know how it goes.
Lisa
Aug 05, 2012 @ 17:37:04
I’m wondering if anybody has made the mix the night before and baked in the morning? Was that successful?
Thanks!
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes and Desserts
Aug 07, 2012 @ 08:03:42
This is in my oven right now! Smells wonderful. I didn’t have buttermilk or milk (yeah, I need to go to the store), so I used yogurt – we will see how it comes out. Looks good so far!
anthonette
Aug 07, 2012 @ 17:38:27
I saw this on pinterest. Made it today using 100% whole wheat flour, delicious!!! Great recipe! Thank you so much
Nanette
Aug 08, 2012 @ 09:06:29
I tried this this morning. It is VERY tasty and I personally appreciate the fact that the sweetness in this recipe is from the blueberries and not from sugar. I was, however, surprised at how dry it was considering the use of buttermilk. I will definitely try it again, but tweak it to make it more moist. Thank you for the yummy recipe!!!!!
torie
Aug 09, 2012 @ 07:51:28
i used your recipe to make muffins and they were moist and absolutely delicious. thanks for sharing!
alexandracooks
Aug 09, 2012 @ 20:56:14
Lisa — yes, definitely mix the night before and bake in the morning. Works beautifully. You can store the batter right in the buttered pan you plan on baking it in. Good luck with it!
Shelly
Aug 10, 2012 @ 07:18:53
I’d like to try this recipe with small chunks of cream cheese! I used to make an awesome cake like this from doubling a Jiffy Blueberry Muffin Mix Coffee Cake recipe but I’ve misplaced my recipe and can’t find it on the Jiffy website.
Vanessa
Aug 11, 2012 @ 12:12:33
Shelly –
Here’s the link to the Jiffy BB Muffin Coffee Cake recipe:
http://wegottaeat.com/fromthebox/recipes/jiffy-blueberry-coffee-cake
Sabrina
Aug 12, 2012 @ 22:26:38
This looks like something my mom would whip up on a Sunday morning! Looks so delicious, reminds me something of pancake batter baked as a cake. Awesome!
Marissa
Aug 14, 2012 @ 10:25:58
I did half raspberries half blueberries and it turned out really good
Amnah
Aug 16, 2012 @ 22:02:14
I tried this tonight and it was absolutely delicious. Thank you for sharing the recipe. I plan on doubling it next time to make muffins.
Charmel
Aug 17, 2012 @ 21:00:49
This has become a family favorite. I use whole wheat flour, 1/2 c. sugar w/ none on top, and add 1/2 tsp. almond flavor. Love that we can eat “cake” for breakfast.
Afton
Aug 19, 2012 @ 13:47:44
Found this recipe on pinterest and finally got a chance to make it Saturday morning. Ohmygosh it was so stinkin’ good! It’s Sunday night and my hubs and I have almost finished it off. This is going to be a staple in our house from now on. Thanks for sharing!!
Marion
Aug 20, 2012 @ 07:23:36
I made this for my littles ones home daycare and it was a big hit. My provider said “AMAZING.” I did re-vamp the recipe to make it vegan. Made made my own buttermilk using almond milk and apple cider vinegar, used organic whole wheat flour and organic all purpose flour, egg replacer and a few other changes.
Aye
Aug 20, 2012 @ 17:20:00
I just made this today (found it on Pinterest) followed the recipe almost exactly and it was DELICIOUS, MOIST, flavorful and … DELICIOUS!!! I made buttermilk by adding 1 tbsp. white vinegar to 1 cup of 2% milk, and I used a whole lotta lemon zest because it ended up being more than 2 tsp. It makes it so fresh and lemony that it was just a gorgeous flavor. Also i used raw demerara sugar, and it was just fine. It didn’t cream like normal sugar does but after I baked it it was fine.
Thank so much Alexandra these recipes and your blog are a treasure!
natalia
Aug 21, 2012 @ 17:01:12
This has become a staple Saturday morning dish this summer. Thank you!
Clare
Aug 21, 2012 @ 18:16:04
This turned out superb! I made the accident of putting a full lemon’s worth of juice instead of zest, which turned out alright since I was planning on making my buttermilk substitute with milk + lemon juice anyways… instead of adding even more lemon juice I just added the 1/2 cup of milk. My batter was therefore not dry as some have commented. In fact, it was VERY fluffy, and light… so delicious.
My mother just mentioned that it is DELICIOUS, which is high praise and very honest – she doesn’t hesitate to tell me when my cooking goes horribly wrong.
Definitely a new favourite!
Rae L
Aug 22, 2012 @ 13:10:05
I was wondering how this would freeze. Has anyone tried that? I’m new to freezing foods and would love to freeze this for my postpartum time coming up. Any suggestions? Thanks!
Olivia
Aug 22, 2012 @ 22:12:31
Saw this recipe in pinterest and had to pin it instantly. Looked so delicious, anyways I’m baking it tonite for my mother. She’s coming to my house in the morning. Coffee and blueberry cake yummmm can’t wait. Will keep you updated on how it tasted, thanks Alexa
alexandracooks
Aug 23, 2012 @ 17:17:40
Olivia — I hope it turns out well for you! It’s such a treat in the morning.
alexandracooks
Aug 23, 2012 @ 17:21:59
Rae — wish I could help. I’m terrible in the freezer department.
alexandracooks
Aug 23, 2012 @ 17:28:01
Afton — so happy to hear this!
Gabby
Aug 25, 2012 @ 16:15:28
After this is made, how long before it gets stale?
Christie
Aug 25, 2012 @ 21:38:13
My 9 year old is in love with this cake! Thank you so much for sharing such a delicious recipe! I think it was even more delicious the 2nd day…if that is even possible. My husband loved it as well. We are taking it to share with our Sunday School class tomorrow! Thanks!
Misty
Aug 26, 2012 @ 08:56:25
This is absolutely the best in the whole world!!!!!!!!!!!! I double the recipe because we just can’t get enough! Thank you for posting.
Michaela
Aug 27, 2012 @ 09:20:19
I made this recipe this morning! I took the advice from others and added more buttermilk and it was great! I also used strawberries instead just because I didn’t have any blueberries on hand…we loved it!
Jessica
Aug 27, 2012 @ 19:59:27
Made it this morning!!!! So good thank you!!!
Olivia
Aug 27, 2012 @ 22:41:55
This is the best blueberry anything that I’ve had. My mom loved it as well. The buttermilk kind of gives it a cheesecake taste. We will surely be having this more often. Loved, loved loved it
AMC0808
Aug 28, 2012 @ 11:07:07
I made this for the teachers & staff at my kid’s school this morning as a welcome-back-to-school treat. Mixed the batter up the night before and popped it in the oven early this morning then delivered it still warm with coffee to the teacher. It smelled so incredible that I came one and immediately made one for the family too. My 13 year old daughter has declared it her favorite “blueberry recipe ever”. High praise from the jr high set!
I followed the directions exactly and it wasn’t dry or heavy at all. I probably cut ours too soon (who can wait 20 mins??) but it was very moist and delicious. Definitely a repeat. Can’t wait to try another of your recipes!
Nicole
Aug 28, 2012 @ 14:38:18
I made this yesterday (found it on pinterest) and it was really easy and so yummy!! Its very light and looked just like the pic. I’m sure that i will make this many more times and maybe substitute different fruits for the blueberries to switch it up.