The Ultimate Lemon Blueberry Cake in a Loaf Pan Recipe features a delightful blend of ingredients that harmoniously create an undeniably scrumptious cake. From the rich butter to the tangy cream cheese, each component contributes to the overall decadence of this dessert. The irresistible crumble topping adds a delightful crunch and complements the soft, moist texture of the cake. Additionally, the crumble adds visual appeal to the cake. Once baked, it forms a golden brown crust that not only looks inviting but also adds an enticing aroma to the kitchen. Each slice becomes a work of art, with the crumble scattering across the top, tempting you to dig in. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just starting out, this recipe is sure to impress your taste buds and leave you craving for more.
Why is this the best recipe?
It all starts with the perfect balance between the tangy brightness of lemon and the natural sweetness of blueberries. The lemon flavor in this cake is irresistible. The recipe calls for freshly squeezed lemon juice, which ensures a vibrant and authentic citrus taste that instantly refreshes your palate. The zesty notes of lemon permeate every bite, creating a delightful burst of refreshing and satisfying flavor. But it’s not just the lemon that steals the show; the blueberries are equally as important in making this cake truly exceptional. Bursting with juicy goodness, the blueberries provide a burst of sweetness that complements the tartness of the lemon. As you take a bite, the plump blueberries burst open, releasing their natural sweetness and adding a delightful pop of color to every slice. Aside from the heavenly flavors, this recipe boasts a moist and tender texture that keeps you returning for more. The combination of butter, cream cheese, and sour cream creates a luscious and velvety base for the cake. With each forkful, you’ll experience a melt-in-your-mouth sensation that is pure bliss. The inclusion of a crumble topping takes this cake to the next level. Not only does it add visual appeal, but once baked, it forms a golden brown crust that looks inviting and adds an enticing aroma to the kitchen. Each slice becomes a work of art, with the crumble scattering across the top, tempting you to dig in. With its tantalizing flavors, moist texture, and irresistible crumble topping, this lemon blueberry cake undoubtedly earns its title as the best recipe you’ll come across.
Ingredients and substitutes
Butter takes a starring role in this recipe, bringing a depth of flavor and velvety texture to the cake. Its creamy richness sets the foundation for the delightful combination of lemon and blueberry. Cream cheese adds an extra layer of richness while also contributing to the cake’s moistness. Its tangy undertones perfectly balance the sweetness of the other ingredients. Sugar, in just the right amount, brings sweetness to the cake and helps create a tender crumb. The eggs play a vital role in binding the ingredients together, resulting in a cake that holds its shape while remaining wonderfully moist. The vanilla extract enhances the flavors, adding a warm and inviting aroma to the kitchen. Lemon juice infuses the cake with a burst of citrusy brightness, complementing the sweetness of the blueberries. The combination of these two flavors creates a symphony of tanginess that dances on your taste buds. Flour and leavening agents provide the structure and rise that allow the cake to bake into a fluffy, heavenly treat. All-purpose flour serves as the main ingredient that holds all the other components together, giving the cake structure. Sour cream adds a velvety smoothness, ensuring that the cake is wonderfully moist and tender. Its tangy creaminess also brings a unique dimension to the overall flavor profile of the cake. Cream cheese makes the cake moist, rich and creamy that just melts in the mouth. We have reduced the butter in this recipe. So, I highly recommend using a good fat content in your cream cheese. Like I said above, the disadvantage of using cream cheese is it reduces the shelf life of your cake. Which in this case is ok because it’s a small cake and gets over in an instant.
Step by step – Lemon blueberry cake
Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F /175°C/ Gas mark 4. Grease and flour a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan.
Crumble Topping: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt for the crumble topping. Add the cold butter cubes and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work the butter into the dry ingredients until you have a crumbly texture. Place the crumble mixture in the refrigerator while you prepare the cake batter.
Dry Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add a tablespoon of flour to fresh blueberries and toss them to coat. This will prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the cake. Wet ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, cream cheese, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract and lemon juice. Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and the sour cream until combined. Be careful not to overmix. Gently fold in the blueberries.Pro tip: If you use frozen blueberries, add them straight from the freezer.
Assemble: Mix the cake batter into the prepared loaf pan evenly. Take the crumble mixture from the refrigerator and sprinkle it evenly over the cake batter. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 45-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean and the crumble topping is golden brown. Cool: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips and tricks to ensure success
Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter, cream cheese, and eggs are at room temperature. This helps create a smooth and well-incorporated cake batter. Cream Butter, cream cheese, and Sugar Well: Creaming the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy helps create a tender cake with a nice crumb texture. This process should take about 2-3 minutes. Don’t Overmix: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, be careful not to overmix the batter. Overmixing can lead to a dense and tough cake. Mix just until the ingredients are combined. Fold in Blueberries Gently: When adding the blueberries, fold them into the batter gently to avoid smashing them. This ensures even distribution throughout the cake. Prevent Sinking Blueberries: If using fresh blueberries, toss them in a tablespoon of flour before folding them into the batter. This can help prevent them from sinking to the bottom during baking. Prepare the Loaf Pan Properly: Grease and flour the loaf pan to prevent the cake from sticking. You can also line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper for easy removal. Chill the Crumble Topping: Refrigerating the crumble mixture before sprinkling it over the batter helps it hold its shape and creates a crisp topping during baking. Check for Doneness: To ensure the cake is fully baked, insert a toothpick into the center. It should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs when the cake is done. Be cautious not to overbake, as it can result in a dry cake. Cool Before Slicing: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack. Cooling it in the pan helps it set, making it easier to slice.
Creative variations and additions you can consider
Lemon Glaze Drizzle: After the cake has cooled, drizzle it with a simple lemon glaze made from powdered sugar and lemon juice for extra lemony flavor and a glossy finish. Zesty Lemon Zest: Add lemon zest to the cake batter for an extra burst of citrusy flavor. This complements the lemon juice beautifully. Mixed Berry Medley: Instead of just blueberries, use a mix of berries such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries for a colorful and flavorful berry blend. Cream Cheese Swirl: Create a cream cheese swirl by dropping spoonfuls of sweetened cream cheese onto the cake batter and gently swirling it in with a toothpick for a marbled effect. Nutty Crunch: Add chopped nuts like almonds, pecans, or walnuts to the crumble topping for a nutty crunch and extra texture. Lavender Infusion: Infuse the cake batter with dried lavender buds (use them sparingly) for a unique floral and citrusy twist. Be sure to strain the buds out before baking. Streusel Topping: Replace the crumble with a cinnamon-spiced streusel topping made from brown sugar, cinnamon, flour, and butter for a comforting and sweet addition. Mini Loaves: Instead of one large loaf, bake the batter in mini loaf pans to create individual-sized Lemon Blueberry Cakes, perfect for sharing or gifting. Citrus Blend: Experiment with a blend of citrus flavors by adding orange zest or lime zest along with the lemon for a citrusy medley. Lemon Blueberry Muffins: Use the same batter to make muffins instead of a loaf. Top each muffin with the crumble and bake in a muffin tin for a convenient breakfast or snack option.
Creative ways to serve that can elevate the experience and impress your guests.
Warm Slice with Whipped Cream: Serve a warm slice of the loaf cake with a dollop of freshly whipped cream. The contrast between the warm cake and the cold cream is delightful. Vanilla Ice Cream Sundae: Transform your slice into a dessert by serving it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and drizzling it with warm lemon sauce or caramel. Lemon Curd and Fresh Berries: Spread a layer of lemon curd on top of each slice and garnish with fresh blueberries and raspberries for a burst of citrus and berry flavors. Lemon Blueberry Trifle: Cube the loaf cake and layer it with lemon-flavored mascarpone or whipped cream and fresh berries in a trifle dish. Repeat the layers for a beautiful dessert presentation. Cake Pops: Crumble the cake, mix it with cream cheese or frosting, and roll it into bite-sized cake pops. Dip them in white chocolate and decorate with blueberry compote drizzle. Lemon Blueberry Ice Cream Sandwiches: Slice the cake into squares and sandwich lemon blueberry ice cream between two slices for a cool summer treat. Tea Time: Serve small slices of the loaf cake with a pot of hot tea for a classy afternoon tea experience. Cake and Coffee: Enjoy a slice with a cup of your favorite coffee or espresso for a simple and satisfying dessert.
Best Blueberry Pie Filling at HomeLemon Blueberry CupcakesBlueberry Cream Cheese TartletsEasy Blueberry CrumbleBlueberry Cheesecake – Baked
Frequently asked questions
Cranberry pound cake Fresh peach cake with crumble Classic Vanilla Bundt Cake Cinnamon coffee cake
Did you LIKE this recipe? Save it for later. You can find my recipes on Pinterest. Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.Subscribe, and I’ll send you new recipes right to your inbox. Thank you for sharing - Save for later
