Blueberry Tea Cake

Blueberry tea cake with crumb topping

Blueberry Tea Cake is a tender, old-fashioned blueberry cake baked in an 8x8 pan and topped with a sweet brown sugar–cinnamon crumb topping. It’s simple, moist, and perfect for breakfast, brunch, or afternoon tea.

🥮 Blueberry Tea Cake

A delicate, fine-crumbed snack cake loaded with juicy blueberries and finished with a sweet brown sugar streusel.

⏱️ Bake Time: 40–45 mins 🍽️ Yield: ~9 Squares 🍳 Pan: 8 × 8-inch Square Pan

Ingredients

The Cake Batter:

  • 2 cups sifted flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 egg (beaten)
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 cups blueberries

Spiced Crumb Topping:

  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup butter

Baking Instructions

🌡️ Oven Temp: 375°F

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F. Grease and flour an 8 × 8-inch baking pan.
  2. In a small bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
  3. In a larger mixing bowl, cream the butter and gradually beat in the sugar until smooth.
  4. Add the beaten egg, milk, and vanilla extract to the creamed mixture, beating well until completely uniform.
  5. Stir in the dry ingredients gently until just combined, then fold the blueberries into the batter with light strokes.
  6. Spread the batter smoothly and evenly into your prepared square pan.
  7. Prepare the Topping: Mix the brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon in a small bowl. Cut in the butter with a fork or pastry blender until it forms coarse crumbs. Sprinkle this evenly over the top of the cake batter.
  8. Bake at 375°F for 40 to 45 minutes, pulling it when the center is fully set and the streusel topping turns a light golden brown.

FAQ

Can I use frozen blueberries?

Yes. Use frozen blueberries straight from the freezer and fold them in gently to minimize color bleeding.

What does “sifted flour” mean?

Sifted flour is light and aerated. If you don’t have a sifter, spoon the flour lightly into the measuring cup and level it off.

How do I know when the tea cake is done?

The cake is done when the center is set and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.

How should I store blueberry tea cake?

Store covered at room temperature for 1–2 days, refrigerate for up to 4 days, or freeze individual slices for longer storage.

Search the Cookbook