Are you craving a moist, flavorful cake that's perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon treat? Look no further! This blueberry loaf cake recipe is incredibly easy to make, requiring minimal ingredients and effort. It’s the perfect example of homemade cooking at its finest, delivering a delicious dish without hours in the kitchen. This recipe is ideal for those seeking quick dinner ideas (even if it’s more of a dessert!), healthy meals (with a few tweaks!), and of course, the best recipes for satisfying sweet cravings. Let's get baking!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries (if frozen, do not thaw)
Instructions:
Getting Started:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x5 inch loaf pan. This simple step ensures your cake releases easily from the pan once baked.
Combining Dry Ingredients:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This ensures even distribution of leavening agents, resulting in a light and fluffy cake.
Creaming Butter and Sugar:
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This is best achieved using an electric mixer, but can be done by hand with a bit more elbow grease.
Adding Wet Ingredients:
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined; don't overmix. Overmixing can lead to a tough cake.
Incorporating Blueberries:
- Gently fold in the blueberries. Be careful not to overmix, as this can crush the blueberries.
Baking the Loaf:
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Keep an eye on your cake during the last 10 minutes of baking as ovens can vary.
Cooling and Serving:
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents the cake from becoming soggy.
Tips for the Best Blueberry Loaf Cake:
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Using room temperature butter and eggs ensures proper emulsification and a smoother batter.
- Don't Overmix: Overmixing develops gluten, resulting in a tough cake. Mix until just combined.
- Fresh Blueberries: Fresh blueberries offer the best flavor, but frozen work perfectly well too.
- Glaze (Optional): A simple glaze made with powdered sugar and milk or lemon juice can elevate the cake’s presentation and taste.
Variations:
- Lemon Blueberry Loaf: Add the zest of one lemon to the batter for a zesty twist.
- Streusel Topping: Create a streusel topping by combining flour, brown sugar, oats, and butter. Sprinkle it over the batter before baking.
- Nutty Delight: Add ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter for added texture and flavor.
Nutritional Information (per slice, approximate):
This will vary depending on the exact ingredients and portion size. It is recommended to use a nutrition calculator for a precise analysis. Generally, you can expect this recipe to be a source of carbohydrates and some healthy fats depending on the type of butter used.
This easy blueberry loaf cake recipe is a delightful addition to your repertoire of food recipes. It's a perfect example of how delicious and simple healthy meals can be. Enjoy!