Description
To understand this dessert, you first have to understand the buckle. A buckle is an old fashioned American fruit cake that falls into the same family as cobblers, crisps, and grunts. The name comes from the way the weight of the fruit and the crumb topping causes the cake batter to “buckle” or indent as it rises in the oven. The result is a craggy, uneven surface that is visually rustic and incredibly inviting.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Brown Butter:
- ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter
For the Cake:
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1½ cups fresh or frozen blueberries
For the Crumb Topping:
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ cup brown butter (from above, cooled slightly)
Instructions
1. Make the Brown Butter
- Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Cook until it turns golden brown and smells nutty.
- Remove from heat and let cool.
2. Prepare the Batter
- Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease a baking dish.
- In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, mix sugar, egg, milk, vanilla, and half of the brown butter.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients until just mixed.
- Fold in blueberries gently.
3. Make the Crumb Topping
- Mix flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
- Add remaining brown butter and mix to form crumbs.
4. Assemble & Bake
- Pour batter into the prepared pan.
- Sprinkle crumb topping evenly over the top.
- Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
5. Cool & Serve
- Let cool slightly before slicing.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
With its tender crumb and golden, crunchy topping, this buckle tastes just like something from a cozy bakery. The brown butter adds a deep, rich flavor that takes it to the next level.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320 kcal
Keywords: Toasted butter blueberry cake, blueberry streusel buckle, old fashioned blueberry coffee cake, browned butter fruit bake