Buttermilk Blueberry Cake with Lemon Zest and Crumble Topping

Blueberry Cake with Streusel Topping

A Soft, Tangy Cake Packed with Juicy Berries and Buttery Crumble

There’s something magical about the pairing of sweet, juicy blueberries and a soft, tender crumb. Add in a buttery streusel topping, and you’ve got yourself a Blueberry Cake that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. This recipe is perfect for breakfast, brunch, snacking—or whenever you need a little bite of sunshine.

It’s simple to make, uses pantry-friendly ingredients, and stays moist for days. What more could you ask for in a blueberry bake?


❤️ Why I Love This Recipe

This blueberry cake walks the line between dessert and breakfast—sweet, but not too sweet, and just tart enough thanks to the lemon zest. The buttermilk ensures a tender crumb, while tossing the berries in flour helps keep them suspended throughout the batter.

If you’re a fan of berry bakes like our Blueberry Lemonade or whimsical cakes like the Unicorn Poke Cake, this will be a new favorite.


🛒 Ingredients

For the Cake:

  • ½ cup oil or melted, cooled butter
  • ⅔ cup buttermilk (room temperature)
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs (room temperature)
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting blueberries)
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 tbsp lemon zest
  • ¾ cup white sugar
  • 1½ cups fresh blueberries

For the Streusel:

  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • 5 tbsp unsalted butter (softened)
  • ⅓ cup white sugar

🔄 Ingredient Tips & Swaps

  • Oil vs. Butter: Both work—oil gives more moisture, butter gives richer flavor.
  • Buttermilk: No buttermilk? Mix 2 tsp lemon juice or vinegar into ⅔ cup milk and let sit 5 minutes.
  • Blueberries: Frozen can be used, just toss in flour and don’t thaw before baking.
  • Want more texture? Add 2–3 tbsp chopped nuts to the streusel.

👨‍🍳 How to Make Blueberry Cake

1. Prep the Pan and Oven

Preheat to 350°F (180°C).
Line the bottom and two sides of your baking pan with parchment paper. Grease the other sides.

2. Make the Streusel

In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, and softened butter.
Use your hands or a fork to mix until crumbly. Set aside.

3. Mix Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cornstarch. Set aside.

4. Lemon Sugar Boost

In a large bowl, combine sugar and lemon zest.
Rub together with your fingers for about 1 minute—this intensifies the lemon flavor.


5. Mix Wet Ingredients

Add oil (or melted butter), eggs, vanilla, and buttermilk to the lemon sugar.
Whisk until smooth.

6. Combine Wet and Dry

Fold the dry ingredients into the wet until just combined.
Do not overmix—this keeps the cake soft and fluffy.

7. Toss and Add Blueberries

Toss blueberries with 1–2 tsp flour.
Fold gently into the batter.


8. Bake

Spread the batter evenly in the pan.
Top with the prepared streusel.

Bake for 40–50 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Let cool, slice, and serve!


🔥 Tips for Blueberry Cake Success

  • Don’t skip the lemon sugar—it’s a flavor game-changer.
  • Tossing berries in flour prevents sinking.
  • Rotate the pan halfway through baking for even cooking.
  • Let it cool fully before slicing for clean edges and better texture.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions


🧊 Storage & Leftovers

  • Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 day or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days
  • To freeze: wrap individual slices and store in a freezer bag for up to 2 months

🔗 More Bakes You’ll Love


✨ Final Thoughts

This Blueberry Cake with Streusel Topping is everything a home-baked treat should be—soft, fresh, and filled with berry goodness. It’s easy to make, easy to love, and perfect for sharing (or freezing for later!).

👉 Love cozy, fruity bakes like this? Join the ChefManiac newsletter and get recipes like this one straight to your inbox! And if you make it, tag @ChefManiac—we want to see your berry delicious creation!Blueberry Cake with Streusel Topping

A Soft, Tangy Cake Packed with Juicy Berries and Buttery Crumble

There’s something magical about the pairing of sweet, juicy blueberries and a soft, tender crumb. Add in a buttery streusel topping, and you’ve got yourself a Blueberry Cake that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. This recipe is perfect for breakfast, brunch, snacking—or whenever you need a little bite of sunshine.

It’s simple to make, uses pantry-friendly ingredients, and stays moist for days. What more could you ask for in a blueberry bake?


❤️ Why I Love This Recipe

This blueberry cake walks the line between dessert and breakfast—sweet, but not too sweet, and just tart enough thanks to the lemon zest. The buttermilk ensures a tender crumb, while tossing the berries in flour helps keep them suspended throughout the batter.

If you’re a fan of berry bakes like our Blueberry Lemonade or whimsical cakes like the Unicorn Poke Cake, this will be a new favorite.


🛒 Ingredients

For the Cake:

  • ½ cup oil or melted, cooled butter
  • ⅔ cup buttermilk (room temperature)
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs (room temperature)
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting blueberries)
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 tbsp lemon zest
  • ¾ cup white sugar
  • 1½ cups fresh blueberries

For the Streusel:

  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • 5 tbsp unsalted butter (softened)
  • ⅓ cup white sugar

🔄 Ingredient Tips & Swaps

  • Oil vs. Butter: Both work—oil gives more moisture, butter gives richer flavor.
  • Buttermilk: No buttermilk? Mix 2 tsp lemon juice or vinegar into ⅔ cup milk and let sit 5 minutes.
  • Blueberries: Frozen can be used, just toss in flour and don’t thaw before baking.
  • Want more texture? Add 2–3 tbsp chopped nuts to the streusel.

👨‍🍳 How to Make Blueberry Cake

1. Prep the Pan and Oven

Preheat to 350°F (180°C).
Line the bottom and two sides of your baking pan with parchment paper. Grease the other sides.

2. Make the Streusel

In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, and softened butter.
Use your hands or a fork to mix until crumbly. Set aside.

3. Mix Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cornstarch. Set aside.

4. Lemon Sugar Boost

In a large bowl, combine sugar and lemon zest.
Rub together with your fingers for about 1 minute—this intensifies the lemon flavor.


5. Mix Wet Ingredients

Add oil (or melted butter), eggs, vanilla, and buttermilk to the lemon sugar.
Whisk until smooth.

6. Combine Wet and Dry

Fold the dry ingredients into the wet until just combined.
Do not overmix—this keeps the cake soft and fluffy.

7. Toss and Add Blueberries

Toss blueberries with 1–2 tsp flour.
Fold gently into the batter.


8. Bake

Spread the batter evenly in the pan.
Top with the prepared streusel.

Bake for 40–50 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Let cool, slice, and serve!


🔥 Tips for Blueberry Cake Success

  • Don’t skip the lemon sugar—it’s a flavor game-changer.
  • Tossing berries in flour prevents sinking.
  • Rotate the pan halfway through baking for even cooking.
  • Let it cool fully before slicing for clean edges and better texture.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions


🧊 Storage & Leftovers

  • Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 day or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days
  • To freeze: wrap individual slices and store in a freezer bag for up to 2 months

🔗 More Bakes You’ll Love


✨ Final Thoughts

This Blueberry Cake with Streusel Topping is everything a home-baked treat should be—soft, fresh, and filled with berry goodness. It’s easy to make, easy to love, and perfect for sharing (or freezing for later!).

👉 Love cozy, fruity bakes like this? Join the ChefManiac newsletter and get recipes like this one straight to your inbox! And if you make it, tag @ChefManiac—we want to see your berry delicious creation!