May 31, 2011

To Try Tuesday - Mixed Berry Buckle



When I first saw the recipe for a Blueberry Buckle over at Tracey's Culinary Adventures I knew that I had to make it soon.  Like Tracey I had never made a buckle before, and her cake just looked so enticingly full of blueberries. In the fridge there was a punnet of blueberries, but I also had some raspberries so I decided to make a mixed berry buckle.  I am so glad I pushed it to the top of my To Try list.

A buckle is a is a type of rich, dense cake with a moist crumb which is sometimes compared to coffee cake.  It is made in a single layer with berries added to the batter and has a topping that is similar to a streusel, which gives it a buckled or crumpled appearance.




In a world where there is a huge emphasis on perfection there is something comforting about a cake that has a crumpled appearance.  It makes no apologies and is happy just the way it is, and so it should be.  Both warm from the oven, and cold the next day this cake was delicious.  The tartness of the berries played so well against the sweetness of the cake, that everyone kept going back for just another small piece.  

Growing up, coffee cakes were not very popular in my household.  We tended to have more loaf or pound cake, and sometimes, pie.  When I moved to the United States I was amazed that donuts, waffles, pancakes, and even coffee cake were also considered breakfast items.  My mind could hardly comprehend that the very things I had always though of as dessert could also be breakfast.  A whole new world opened up for me.  I am looking forward to making this buckle again soon, and maybe this time there will actually be some left for breakfast the next morning.





This buckle is not the only thing that I have enjoyed from Tracey's site.  She has so many good things going on over there - including her latest posts for Southwestern Black Bean Salad, Margarita Cupcakes, and Grilled Romaine with Blue Cheese-Bacon Vinaigrette.  If you aren't familiar with her site, Tracey's Culinary Adventures, I highly recommend that you check it out soon.


Mixed Berry Buckle
(Printer Friendly Recipe)

Ingredients
Streusel
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup packed light brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • pinch salt
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 8 pieces & softened
Cake
  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1½ teaspoons baking powder
  • 10 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • ⅔ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 2 cups fresh blueberries 
  • 2 cups fresh raspberries

Preparation
Streusel
  1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the flour, both sugar, cinnamon and salt on low to combine and break up any brown sugar lumps.
  2. With the mixer still on low, add the butter and beat until it is completely incorporated into the dry ingredients, about 2-3 minutes - the mixture will resemble wet sand.
  3. Transfer the streusel to another bowl and set aside.
Cake
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F with a rack in the lower third of the oven.
  2. Line the bottom of a 9-inch round pan with a round of parchment, then spray the parchment and the pan with nonstick cooking spray with flour.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk the flour and baking powder together then set aside.
  4. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter, sugar, salt and lemon zest at medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl as necessary.
  5. Beat in the vanilla. 
  6. Add the eggs, on at a time, beating well after each addition.
  7. With the mixer on low, gradually add the flour mixture, beating until just about incorporated.
  8. Remove the bowl from the mixer and use a rubber spatula to finish stirring - the batter will be very thick. Gently fold in the blueberries and raspberries. 
  9. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan; spread in an even layer.
  10. To top with the streusel - pick up a handful of streusel and squeeze to form a clump. Break this large clump into smaller pieces and sprinkle over the batter. Continue until you've used all of the streusel.
  11. Bake for about 55 minutes, or until the streusel is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  12. Transfer pan to a wire rack and cool for 15-20 minutes.
  13. Run a thin knife around the edges of the cake then invert it onto the rack.
  14. Remove the parchment then turn the cake streusel side up and let cool on the wire rack. 
Recipe from Cook's Illustrated via Tracey's Culinary Adventures.


29 comments:

  1. Wow this looks good! I'm not a big fan of berries, but this might just change my mind!

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  2. That berry photo is stunning!! I could eat buckle every day, love the topping. Unfortunately my waistline doesn't. I was doing so well, then last weekend I ate with abandon! Time to start new...!!

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  3. Oh I would love this with a cup of coffee right now!

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  4. A couple years ago Martha Stewart magazine had an issue that explained the difference between a cobbler,crumble, crisp and a buckle. I remember thinking I had them all wrong. This looks delicious! Love it that summer has brought the berry season.

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  5. Man, this looks amazing! Anything with all those berries has to be delicious...I'm dreaming of a slice :)

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  6. Oh my .... this looks amazing!! I love all that berry deliciousness in there. ;)

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  7. I love buckles! Yours looks beautiful especially with those colorful berries. Yum!

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  8. Thanks for your kind words Felice! I love that you used a variety of berries in your buckle - it looks gorgeous! Now you've got me wanting to run into my kitchen and whip up another one with the raspberries and blueberries in my fridge :)

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  9. Yummy! A buckle was one of the first things I made when I graduated from cookies to more grown up things. I'm glad to hear people still make!

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  10. I love the mixed berries in this. It is so colorful. That would not last long in my house.

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  11. I have never made a buckle before but I have the feeling that I will be trying one very soon. And with those mixed berries it must be delicious

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  12. wow Felice, this look so good. Love using berries this time of the year. mmmm wish I could have a slice!

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  13. This looks amazing, Felice. Hooray for buckles, yeah? :-)

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  14. Looks great Felice!! Come on over and get and award that is waiting for you here: http://ravienomnoms.wordpress.com/2011/06/01/the-versatile-blogger-award/

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  15. This cookie looks so yummie...can I use your recipe on my blog? I will show you as credit...
    luv your site..thnk for sharing...anna

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  16. I love all things buckle, crumble and cobbler! They just go so well with vanilla ice cream! Great looking buckle, looks so good with all that fruit!

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  17. Oh Wow! This really has my mouth watering!

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  18. I would take a few of these any time! I love the combination of cake, fruit and crumbled topping.

    Jason

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  19. We grow the berries (for our own consumption of course), love them fresh and love them in recipes - your berry buckle look gorgeous. Thanks for tagging me on Foodbuzz. I have joined your blog -- do hop over and visit mine when you have a moment - hope you will joint too:)

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  20. This looks fantastic! I love fresh berries in summer desserts...there's nothing better :)

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  21. Popping back over to let you know that the original salsa recipe I posted called for papaya instead of mango...so if you ever try it, that would be the perfect substitution :) Thanks for your sweet comment~

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  22. Diggin the buckle and thanks for the explanation. I didn't have a clue as to what it was.

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  23. I totally agree, a crumpled cake is like a big hug... a big delicious hug!

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  24. @Lizzy

    Thanks for letting me know. I'll try it with the papaya.

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  25. I agree, a crumpled cake is a good cake. I might try this and throw in some of the cherries I have sitting on my counter. Might have to bump this one up on my list too.
    -Gina-

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  26. We've always thought that "buckle" was such a charming name for a dessrt. Don't know why, it just sounds yummy. And your Buckle looks delicious, with those lovely berry flavors together... probably cause for a new buckle.. for Adam's belt!

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  27. Looks and sounds delicious - I love streusel toppings on cakes and you can't go wrong with berries.

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  28. This looks so good! I've made Streusel cakes before- but the term buckle is new to me! So cute- I love it:-)

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