Blackberry Apricot Buckle Cake
This Blackberry Apricot Buckle Cake is a moist, tender, and fruity dessert bursting with fresh blackberries and sweet apricots. Featuring a buttery crumb that melts in your mouth and a crunchy cinnamon-sugar topping, this cake is perfect for any occasion from casual teatime to special gatherings. Simple to make with pantry staples and seasonal fruit, it’s a delightful way to enjoy summer’s freshest flavors.
- Author: Kathy
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (with substitution)
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup milk or buttermilk
Fruit
- 1 ½ cups fresh blackberries, washed
- 1 ½ cups fresh apricots, sliced into bite-sized pieces
Topping (Optional)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Wash the blackberries and apricots thoroughly. Slice the apricots into bite-sized pieces. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease your baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon if using. This forms the base structure for your buckle cake.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using an electric mixer or a whisk, cream the unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and pale in color. This step is crucial for a tender crumb.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract to enrich the flavor.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Alternately add the dry mixture and milk to the butter mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix gently after each addition until just combined to avoid a tough cake.
- Fold in the Fruit: Gently fold the blackberries and apricot pieces into the batter, distributing them evenly but carefully to prevent crushing.
- Transfer and Top: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly. Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar topping over the surface for a sweet, crunchy crust.
- Bake Until Golden: Bake for 45 to 50 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Let the cake cool before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Use room temperature eggs and butter to achieve a smooth batter and a better rise.
- Handle the blackberries and apricots gently to prevent the batter from turning watery or purple.
- Spread the batter evenly in the pan to avoid dense or uneven baking.
- Begin checking the cake for doneness 5 minutes before the end of baking time to avoid drying out.
- Choose fresh, ripe blackberries and apricots for optimal flavor and color.
- For a gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend that contains xanthan gum.
- For dairy-free, replace butter with coconut oil and milk with almond or oat milk.
- Try adding nutmeg or ginger to the topping for a spiced twist.
- Thaw and drain frozen berries well before use to maintain cake texture.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- Freeze tightly wrapped for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
- Reheat in microwave for 15-20 seconds or warm in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes to refresh.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/10 of cake)
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
Keywords: Blackberry Apricot Buckle Cake, summer fruit cake, buckle cake, fruit dessert, berry cake, apricot cake, gluten-free cake, dairy-free option