Old-Fashioned Blueberry Buckle

There are some desserts that never go out of style, and an Old-Fashioned Blueberry Buckle is one of them. This nostalgic treat combines a tender, buttery cake with sweet, juicy blueberries and a cinnamon-kissed streusel topping that “buckles” beautifully as it bakes.

Every slice is warm, comforting, and bursting with pure blueberry goodness—like sunshine baked into a pan. Whether served for brunch, shared at summer picnics, or enjoyed with a quiet cup of coffee, this simple dessert always feels special.

What makes a buckle truly irresistible is its texture: soft, moist cake on the bottom, juicy fruit swirled throughout, and a crumbly golden topping that adds the perfect crunch. Best of all, it’s incredibly easy to make, uses everyday ingredients, and tastes even better the next day.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✔ A true vintage dessert with timeless flavor
✔ Soft cake + juicy blueberries + crunchy streusel
✔ Easy to make and perfect for beginners
✔ Works with fresh or frozen berries
✔ Great for brunch, dessert, or snacking

Ingredients

For the Cake (Buckle)

2 cups cake flour
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
4 tbsp butter, softened
¾ cup sugar
1 large egg
½ cup whole milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 cups fresh or frozen blueberries

For the Streusel Topping

½ cup sugar
⅓ cup cake flour
½ tsp cinnamon
4 tbsp cold butter, cubed

How to Make Old-Fashioned Blueberry Buckle

1. Preheat the Oven

Heat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Grease a 9×9-inch (23×23 cm) baking pan and set aside.

2. Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together:

cake flour
baking powder
salt

Set aside.

3. Make the Cake Batter

In a large bowl:

Beat softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
Alternate adding the dry ingredients and the milk, mixing gently just until combined—don’t overmix.

4. Add the Blueberries

Gently fold in the blueberries, being careful not to crush them.
Pour the batter evenly into your prepared baking pan.

5. Prepare the Streusel

In a small bowl, combine:

sugar
cake flour
cinnamon
cold cubed butter

Use your fingertips or a pastry cutter to form coarse crumbs.
Sprinkle the streusel evenly over the batter.

6. Bake

Bake 35–40 minutes, or until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

7. Cool & Serve

Let cool at least 10 minutes before slicing.
Serve warm or at room temperature.

✨ For extra indulgence, enjoy with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a dusting of powdered sugar.

Helpful Tips

Using frozen blueberries? Do not thaw—fold them in straight from the freezer.
Want more crumble? Double the streusel ingredients.
No cake flour? Replace with all-purpose flour minus 2 tbsp per cup.
Add lemon zest to the batter for a bright, fragrant twist.