Blueberry Coffee Cake: The Last Recipe You’ll Ever Need

There’s something uniquely comforting about a warm slice of homemade Blueberry Coffee Cake. The tender, buttery cake, the burst of juicy blueberries, and the crunchy, cinnamon-infused streusel topping create a symphony of flavors and textures that’s simply irresistible. This recipe is the culmination of years of testing, designed to deliver a perfectly moist crumb and a generous, crumbly topping every single time. It’s the perfect companion to your morning coffee, a delightful afternoon treat, or even a simple, satisfying dessert. Forget the dry, disappointing coffee cakes of the past; this is the one you’ll bake again and again.

We’ve crafted this guide to be straightforward and foolproof. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting, you’ll find our step-by-step instructions clear and easy to follow. We’re not just giving you a recipe; we’re sharing the secrets to achieving that perfect balance of sweetness, spice, and fruit. Get ready to fill your kitchen with the incredible aroma of cinnamon and baked blueberries.

Why This is the Best Blueberry Coffee Cake Recipe

This isn’t just any Blueberry Coffee Cake; it’s a recipe perfected for the home cook. What sets it apart? It’s the use of sour cream in the batter, which is the secret to an incredibly moist and tender cake that stays fresh for days. We also don’t skimp on the streusel. Our topping provides a thick, crunchy layer that perfectly complements the soft cake beneath. Plus, this recipe works beautifully with both fresh and frozen blueberries, making it a year-round favorite. If you love this, you might also enjoy our classic pie crust recipe for your next baking adventure.

Key Ingredients for the Perfect Coffee Cake

The magic of this Blueberry Coffee Cake lies in its simple, high-quality ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in creating the final, delicious product. Here’s what you’ll need:

For the Streusel Topping:

• All-Purpose Flour: Forms the base of our crumbly topping.
• Light Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and a slight molasses flavor that pairs beautifully with cinnamon.
• Ground Cinnamon: The essential warm spice that defines a classic coffee cake.
• Salt: A pinch is all it takes to balance the sweetness.
• Unsalted Butter: Cold and cubed, this is what creates those irresistible crunchy crumbles.

For the Cake Batter:

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the structure for our tender cake.
• Baking Powder & Baking Soda: These leaveners work together to give the cake a beautiful lift.
• Salt: Enhances all the other flavors in the cake.
• Unsalted Butter: Make sure it’s softened to room temperature for a smooth, well-incorporated batter.
• Granulated Sugar: For sweetness and a tender crumb.
• Eggs: Room temperature eggs mix more evenly into the batter, creating a more uniform texture.
• Vanilla Extract: A splash of pure vanilla extract adds depth and warmth.
• Sour Cream: The star ingredient for a super moist cake. Room temperature is key!
• Blueberries: Fresh or frozen will work. If using frozen, don’t thaw them first.

Step-by-Step Guide to Baking Blueberry Coffee Cake

Ready to bake? Follow these simple steps for a flawless coffee cake experience. We’ve broken it down to ensure you succeed from the first crumb to the last.

1. Prepare the Streusel Topping

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, light brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add the cold, cubed butter. Using a pastry blender or your fingertips, cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces remaining. Set it aside—try not to snack on it all before it makes it onto the cake!

2. Mix the Dry Ingredients

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×9 inch baking pan. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This step ensures the leavening agents are evenly distributed, which is key for a perfect rise.

3. Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar on medium-high speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. This process, called creaming, incorporates air into the batter, which results in a lighter cake texture.

4. Add Wet Ingredients

Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Next, reduce the mixer speed to low and add the flour mixture in three additions, alternating with the sour cream in two additions, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix only until just combined—over-mixing can lead to a tough cake.

5. Fold in Blueberries

Gently fold the blueberries into the batter using a rubber spatula. If you’re using fresh blueberries, you can toss them in a tablespoon of flour before adding them to the batter. This little trick helps prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the cake during baking.

6. Assemble and Bake

Spread the batter evenly into your prepared pan. Sprinkle the reserved streusel topping evenly over the batter, covering it completely. Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs attached. Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack before slicing and serving.

Expert Tips for Success

Want to take your Blueberry Coffee Cake from great to absolutely spectacular? Here are a few professional tips to ensure a perfect bake every time.

• Use Room Temperature Ingredients: For the cake batter, using room temperature butter, eggs, and sour cream is crucial. They emulsify together much better, creating a smoother batter and a more uniform, tender crumb.
• Don’t Over-mix the Batter: Once you combine the wet and dry ingredients, mix only until they are just incorporated. Over-mixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can make your coffee cake tough and dense instead of light and fluffy.
• Measure Flour Correctly: The most accurate way to measure flour is by weight. If you don’t have a kitchen scale, use the “spoon and level” method: spoon the flour into your measuring cup until it’s overflowing, then level it off with the back of a knife. This prevents a dry, heavy cake. For a different kind of comforting meal, try this crock pot potato soup recipe.

Variations and Substitutions

While this classic Blueberry Coffee Cake is a star on its own, it’s also incredibly versatile. Feel free to customize it to your liking with these simple swaps and additions.

• Different Fruits: No blueberries? No problem! This cake is delicious with raspberries, chopped strawberries, or even cranberries for a festive twist.
• Add Nuts: For extra crunch and flavor, add 1/2 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts to the streusel topping.
• Citrus Zest: A teaspoon of lemon or orange zest added to the cake batter can brighten up the flavors and beautifully complement the blueberries.
• No Sour Cream?: You can substitute full-fat plain Greek yogurt for the sour cream in a 1:1 ratio with excellent results.

Thinking about a savory dish next? This Baked Italian Angel Chicken is a wonderful option for a weeknight dinner.

How to Store Your Coffee Cake

This cake is so delicious, you might not have leftovers! But if you do, proper storage will keep it tasting fresh. Store the coffee cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you need to store it for longer, you can refrigerate it for up to a week. For best results, allow it to come to room temperature or gently warm a slice in the microwave before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Perfect Blueberry Coffee Cake Recipe

Blueberry Coffee Cake: The Last Recipe You'll Ever Need

The ultimate Blueberry Coffee Cake recipe! This guide delivers a perfectly moist and tender cake bursting with juicy blueberries, all topped with a generous, crunchy cinnamon streusel. Easy, foolproof, and absolutely delicious.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 50 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Servings: 12 slices

Course: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Calories: 385

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 2/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 2 cups all-purpose flour spooned and leveled
• 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, at room temperature
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup sour cream, at room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups blueberries, fresh or frozen Do not thaw if frozen

Equipment

• 1 9x9 inch baking pan
• 3 Mixing Bowls
• 1 Electric mixer Hand or stand mixer

Instructions

 

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, 1/2 cup flour, cinnamon, and 1/4 tsp salt. Cut in the cold butter with a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside.
2. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x9 inch baking pan.
3. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the 2 cups of flour, baking powder, baking soda, and 1/2 tsp salt.
4. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
5. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then beat in the vanilla. On low speed, add the flour mixture in three parts, alternating with the sour cream in two parts, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix just until combined.
6. Gently fold in the blueberries.
7. Spread the batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the batter. Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until a tester inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs attached. Cool on a wire rack.

Notes

For best results, use room temperature eggs and sour cream to ensure a smooth, uniform batter.
If using frozen blueberries, do not thaw them before adding to the batter to prevent the batter from turning purple.
Store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Share Your Creations!

We are so excited for you to try this amazing Blueberry Coffee Cake recipe! It’s truly a crowd-pleaser and a personal favorite. If you bake it, we would absolutely love to see your beautiful creations. Please leave a comment below with your feedback or share a photo on Pinterest and tag us! Your shares help our community grow and inspire other home cooks. Happy baking!