Blueberry Buckle

My parents were at the farm over the weekend, and whenever they come I always make sure to feed them. The main reason they come to visit is, of course, to play with their grandkids, but I usually have some project I need them to help me with when they are here. Making sure my folks are well-fed is a small price to pay for their help. Plus, I don't want them to start thinking I only keep them around for the cheap labor (just kidding, Mom and Dad!).

So, this weekend, I made a meal of yummy vegetable pasta salad, grilled corn-on-the-cob with a little lime butter, and London Broil marinated and seasoned in the Montreal style and cooked to medium over slow-burning charcoal. But to me, no meal is complete without something sweet at the end. I needed to whip up dessert quick, and also had fresh, plump, richly indigo blueberries on hand.

I decided to make this delicious Blueberry Buckle. I found the recipe in the Ginsberg's Cookbook that celebrates the company's 100th anniversary (Ginsberg's Foods was one of my clients, and I assisted them in the planning and publicity of their 100th anniversary celebration. Hi Nancy and David!!). The recipe is so easy, and the results are divine (this was my first buckle, and I think it turned out great).

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Dot's Blueberry Buckle

2 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup butter

1 egg

1/2 cup milk

1 cup fresh blueberries*

Crumb Topping (recipe follows)

Mix dry ingredients together. In a separate bowl blend sugar and butter until creamy; then add egg. Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk to egg mixture.** Fold in blueberries, batter will be thick. Pour batter into round greased cake pan. Equally distribute crumb topping over cake batter. Bake at 375 degrees for 40 minutes. This recipe doubles easily.

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Crumb Topping

1/2 cup sugar***

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon****

1/4 cup flour

1/4 cup butter, softened

Using a pastry cutter, blend ingredients.

*I think you could use frozen blueberries for this, but allow them to thaw and drain before use. Too much liquid will make this buckle heavy and soggy

**When alternating wet and dry ingredients, be sure to always incorporate dry ingredients last. This ensures the smoothest batter.

***I used brown sugar in this recipe, just because I could :-)

****I also doubled the cinnamon, again, just because.

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I think this is best served warm with a dollop (or two... or four) of homemade sweetened whipped cream. I add a little vanilla to mine. This buckle is very reminiscent of a light and airy blueberry muffin, but the crumb topping sweetens it to dessert level.

Ever had a "buckle" before? Do you prefer simple Americana desserts like this, or sweets that are more complex and indulgent?