We're in the midst of summer berry season and summer camp season. Although experts tell us parents to stop hovering, it's difficult to temper the trepidations that come with sending one's child off to her first overnight camp. My approach toward self-composure was to bake this blueberry snack cake with my daughter before she left.
I soothed myself by thinking that the nutty top would fuel my daughter through her canoeing, zip lining, and archery, but really I just wanted the tender baked blueberries to burst in her mouth and taste like home.
Brooke Dojny's Blueberry Snack Cake with Toasted Pecan Topping
Serves 8
1 cup all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons cornmeal
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 pound (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup + 1 tablespoon sugar, divided use
2 eggs
1/3 cup whole or lowfat milk
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest
2 cups blueberries
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-inch square baking pan.
2. Whisk together the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.
3. Using an electric mixer or a food processor, cream the butter and 1 cup of the sugar together until smooth. Add the eggs, milk, vanilla, and lemon zest and process or beat until smooth. Spoon the flour mixture into the processor or bowl and pulse or beat just until the flour is incorporated. If the batter is in a food processor, transfer it to a large bowl.
4. Sprinkle the blueberries over the batter and gently fold them in, just until combined. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top. Sprinkle with the nuts and then with the remaining 1 tablespoon of sugar.
5. Bake until the nuts are deep brown and a tester inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes. Place the pan on a wire rack to cool. (The cake can be wrapped well and stored at cool room temperature for 1 day or frozen.)
6. Cut into squares or wedges in the pan to serve.
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