Blueberry Cream Cheese Crumb Cake: A Perfect Balance of Sweet and Tangy
This blueberry cream cheese crumb cake is the ultimate indulgence for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. Layers of moist vanilla cake, tangy cream cheese filling, juicy blueberries, and buttery crumb topping create a symphony of textures and flavors in every bite. The contrast between the sweet berries and rich cream cheese makes this recipe irresistible.
Perfect for any occasion, this blueberry cream cheese crumb cake combines classic coffee cake comfort with elegant dessert appeal. The golden crumb topping adds delightful crunch, while the cream cheese layer provides luxurious creaminess. Fresh blueberries burst with flavor, complementing the rich components beautifully. Whether served warm with coffee or as an afternoon treat, this cake is sure to impress.
Quick Recipe Highlights
- Flavor Profile: Sweet vanilla cake balanced with tangy cream cheese and tart blueberries creates a perfectly harmonious taste experience.
- Texture: Buttery crumb topping provides crunch, while the cream cheese layer adds velvety smoothness against the moist cake base.
- Aroma: The scent of baking vanilla, cinnamon, and fresh blueberries will fill your kitchen with irresistible warmth.
- Visual Appeal: Vibrant purple-blue berries peek through golden crumbles, making this cake as beautiful as it is delicious.
- Skill Level Needed: Requires basic baking skills like mixing batters and making crumb toppings, but detailed instructions make it accessible.
- Special Equipment: 9×13 baking pan, stand or hand mixer recommended for cream cheese layer, and basic measuring tools.
Recipe Overview
- Difficulty Level: This blueberry cream cheese crumb cake is intermediate level due to the layered components, but each step is straightforward with proper guidance.
- Category: Perfect as a breakfast pastry, brunch showstopper, or dessert for any occasion.
- Cuisine: American-style coffee cake with cream cheese twist, inspired by classic New York cheesecake flavors.
- Cost: Moderate cost using pantry staples with splurge on fresh blueberries and cream cheese.
- Season: Ideal for summer when blueberries are plentiful, but works year-round with frozen berries.
- Occasion: Excellent for weekend brunches, potlucks, or as a special homemade dessert for gatherings.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
The blueberry cream cheese crumb cake offers an irresistible combination of textures and flavors that make it stand out from ordinary coffee cakes. The moist vanilla cake base provides the perfect foundation for the rich cream cheese layer, while fresh blueberries add bursts of juicy sweetness. The buttery crumb topping creates delightful contrast with its crisp texture and cinnamon warmth.
This recipe delivers restaurant-quality results with home kitchen convenience. The preparation is straightforward, with most ingredients likely already in your pantry. Unlike fussy desserts that require precise timing, this cake is forgiving and maintains excellent quality even when made ahead. The layers bake together beautifully, creating a stunning presentation with minimal effort.
Nutritionally, this blueberry cream cheese crumb cake offers benefits from antioxidant-rich blueberries and protein from the cream cheese. While certainly an indulgence, you can feel good about serving a homemade treat with real ingredients rather than processed alternatives. The portion size can easily be adjusted to suit different appetites and occasions.
For entertaining, this cake shines as a crowd-pleaser that appeals to all ages. It travels well for potlucks and makes an impressive gift when baked in disposable pans. The familiar flavors with gourmet twist ensure it will disappear quickly at any gathering. Plus, it requires no fancy plating – just slice and serve!
Cost-wise, this recipe makes excellent use of seasonal blueberries when they’re most affordable, though frozen berries work perfectly too. The ingredients provide excellent value compared to bakery versions, yielding 12 generous portions for about the price of two coffee shop slices. The cake keeps well, meaning you can enjoy it over several days.
The Recipe
Blueberry Cream Cheese Crumb Cake
Serves: 12
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 45 mins
Total Time: 65 mins
Kitchen Equipment Needed
- 9×13 inch baking pan
- Parchment paper
- Stand mixer or hand mixer
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Rubber spatula
- Whisk
Ingredients
- For the Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup sour cream
- For the Cream Cheese Layer:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- For the Blueberry Layer:
- 2 cups fresh blueberries
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- For the Crumb Topping:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on two sides for easy removal.
- Make the cake batter: In medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at time, then vanilla. Alternate adding flour mixture and sour cream, beginning and ending with flour.
- Spread batter evenly into prepared pan.
- Make cream cheese layer: Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add egg and vanilla, mixing until combined. Dollop over cake batter and gently spread.
- Prepare blueberries: Toss blueberries with flour and lemon juice. Scatter evenly over cream cheese layer.
- Make crumb topping: Combine flour, brown sugar and cinnamon. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle evenly over blueberries.
- Bake 40-45 minutes until golden and center is set. Cool in pan 30 minutes before lifting out using parchment.
- Cool completely before slicing. Store covered in refrigerator up to 5 days.
Recipe Notes
- For frozen blueberries: Use without thawing and add 5 minutes to bake time
- Dust with powdered sugar before serving for extra presentation points
- Can be made gluten-free using 1:1 gluten-free flour blend
