Description
This farmhouse-style layer cake highlights the natural sweetness of fresh blueberries paired with a tangy cream cheese frosting. It is a tender, rustic bake that avoids complex decorations in favor of honest ingredients and a reliable, moist crumb.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 lemons (zest and juice)
- 2 cups fresh blueberries
- 1 tablespoon flour (for coating berries)
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Prepare oven and pans. Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease two 9-inch round cake pans with butter and flour, lining the bottoms with parchment paper.
- Cream butter and sugars. Beat the softened butter with granulated and brown sugars on medium speed for five minutes until light, pale, and fluffy.
- Mix wet ingredients. Add eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract and sour cream, mixing on low speed until combined.
- Combine dry ingredients. Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt into the wet mixture, stirring on the lowest speed until just incorporated.
- Prepare berries and citrus. Grate the zest and squeeze the juice of three lemons into the batter, then toss blueberries in one tablespoon of flour.
- Fold and bake. Gently fold the floured blueberries into the batter, divide into prepared pans, and bake for 25 to 30 minutes.
- Cool and frost. Allow cake layers to cool completely on a rack before frosting with a mixture of cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and lemon zest.
- Assemble the cake. Spread frosting between the two layers and over the top and sides, leaving a rustic finish, then garnish with extra berries.
Notes
- Ensure all dairy ingredients reach room temperature to achieve a perfect emulsion and rise.
- Tossing blueberries in flour before adding them to the batter is essential to keep them suspended and prevent sinking.
- For the best structure, use block-style cream cheese rather than tub-style spread for the frosting.
- Avoid over-mixing the flour into the batter to ensure the final crumb remains tender rather than dense.
- If your frosting feels too soft, chill it briefly in the refrigerator before spreading it onto the cooled layers.
- Prep Time: 30 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American Farmhouse
