A twist on a blackberry buckle: easy cornbread cake covered by a blanket of luscious blackberries, topped by oat streusel.
I've had a hankering to make a blackberry buckle for a long time. Every since, in fact, I saw this recipe on Food52 for Blackberry Cornbread Buckle by janeofmanytrade. So, a couple of weeks ago when Carnivorous Maximus and I stopped by a farm stand in the Central Valley selling boxes brimming with fat blackberries, I knew immediately what I would make.
But would they be good enough for this dessert that I'd been planning in my head for, like, a YEAR? After all, the expectations of any dish I make are inversely proportional to how long I procrastinate in actually making it. When I put off making my own hummus for five years, I expected my first go at it to be rock star. Good enough for the Food Network. Giada should be calling me.
So purely in the interest of research, I slipped one of those juicy babies into my mouth when the farm stand operator wasn't looking, and it softly burst open with warm berry sweetness and just a touch tart. Sold. Money was quickly exchanged (thanks Myles!). I reserved one box just for snacking and morning yogurt. The rest were destined for buckle greatness I would serve at a casual dinner party with friends.
What's a buckle? Cake batter generously covered with luscious, juicy fruit and finished with a streusel topping. The weight of the fruit buckles the cake as it bakes, creating a very rustic, farmhouse-like cake. It might not win prizes for how it looks, but it's one of my favorite ways to eat cake in the summer. It's tender and moist with a burst of fruit. Summer perfection on a plate.
Farmstand Blackberry Cornbread Buckle: #SundaySupper BBQ
Ingredients
Blackberry Buckle
- 4 cup fresh blackberries
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tsp freshly grated lemon zest
- 1 tsp rosewater
- 3/4 tsp ground cardamom
- 6 oz unsalted butter softened
- 1 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3 eggs
- 1 1/2 cup all purpose flour
- 3/4 cup cornmeal
- 2 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1 cup buttermilk
- Oat Crumb Topping below
Oatmeal Crumb Topping
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp baking soda
- 4 Tbsp unsalted butter cold and cut into cubes
Instructions
Blackberry Buckle
- Combine the blackberries, sugar, lemon zest, rosewater, and cardamom in a bowl. Set aside.
- Preheat the oven to 350° F. Grease and flour a 10" deep dish pie plate, 10" x 10" pan, or 11" pie plate, and set aside.
- Cream the butter with the sugar, vanilla, and salt in the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until light, about 2-3 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, waiting until each egg is completely mixed in before adding the next. You may need to scrape the bowl in between adding the eggs, particularly after the first one.
- Whisk the flours and baking powder together to thoroughly distribute the baking powder through the flours. Even though this is a buckle, it's nice to have an even buckling, so to speak. Fold the flour mixture into the batter in thirds using a spatula until combined. Pour in the buttermilk and continue folding until no streaks remain.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth out the surface. Top the cornbread evenly with the berries. By now, there should be some juices in the berry bowl - make sure you add those too! The berries should cover the entire cake.
- Sprinkle the Oat Crumb Topping evenly over the fruit, and bake until a pick comes out clean, about 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes. Because of all the berries, it's good to test the cake in a few areas. This cake is fantastic served warm or cold, but warm is just a little better. And don't forget a scoop of ice cream.
Oatmeal Crumb Topping
- Combine the dry ingredients in a bowl and toss around with your fingers. Add the butter cubes and rub the ingredients together with your fingers until pea sized crumbs are formed.
This week #SundaySupper celebrates BBQs and we're all sharing recipes to serve at your next one, whether it's a small dinner for two or a neighborhood block party BBQ. Big thanks to Jenny of The Messy Baker and Melanie of Melanie Makes blogs for co-hosting us this week! If you're pulling together a BBQ tonight or anytime soon, we've got a bazillion fabulous ideas for you. From beverages (including wine pairing ideas) all the way through dessert, we've got you covered here at #SundaySupper.
Beverages
- Best Wines For A Summer BBQ Party from ENOFYLZ Wine Blog
- Grilled Peach and Cinnamon Whiskey Sour from Peaceful Cooking
- How To Make Fresh Squeezed Lemonade from Life Tastes Good
- Pineapple Margaritas from The Messy Baker
- Stone Fruit Sangria from Because I Like Chocolate
- Strawberry Lemonade from Basic N Delicious
Appetizers
- BBQ Stuffed Calimari from Jane's Adventure in Dinner
Sides and Accompaniments
- Cucumber Salad with Blackberry Browned Butter Vinaigrette from Nik Snacks
- Easy Fruity Salad from Hot Momma's Kitchen Chaos
- Grilled Corn on the Cob with Lime Butter from The Redhead Baker
- Jacques' Cucumber Salad with Onions from Food Lust People Love
- Mango Peanut Slaw from The Texan New Yorker
- Mom's Classic Macaroni Salad from Webicurean
- Roasted Strawberry BBQ Sauce from Bobby's Kozy Kitchen
- Two Tomato Chutney from What Smells So Good?
Main Dishes
- Asian-Style Pasta with Gochujang Peanut Sauce from Wallflour Girl
- Barbecue Ribs from girlichef
- BBQ Stuffed Peppers from Small Wallet, Big Appetite
- Bistecca from Confessions of a Culinary Diva
- Competition Baby Back Ribs with Apple-Bourbon Barbecue Sauce from Crazy Foodie Stunts
- Grilled Cedar Plank Salmon from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Grilled Clams with Chorizo from Noshing With The Nolands
- Grilled Sanma from A Mama, Baby & Shar-pei in the Kitchen
- Grilled Shrimp with Lemon Basil from Nosh My Way
- Grilled Swordfish and Eggplant with Fusilli and Tomatoes from Cooking Chat
- Grilled Wings from Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
- Lemon Oregano Spatchcock Chicken from Kudos Kitchen by Renee
- Mango Beef Kebabs from Curious Cuisiniere
- Steak Skewers with Chimichurri from Jelly Toast
- Sweet and Tangy Blueberry BBQ Chicken Pizza from Simply Gourmet
Desserts
- Amazing S'mores 7-Layer Bars from Flavor Mosaic
- Banana Pudding Pie from A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
- Blackberry Cake from Peanut Butter and Peppers
- Blueberry and Raspberry Galette from Rhubarb and Honey
- Farm Stand Blackberry Buckle from The Wimpy Vegetarian
- Grilled Peach Crumble from Try Anything Once Culinary
- Grilled Peaches with Mascarpone Cream and Sweet Balsamic Syrup from La Bella Vita Cucina
- Hot Fudge Ice Cream Pie from Melanie Makes
- Lemon Ricotta Bars from The Foodie Army Wife
- Old Fashioned Sour Cherry Pie from Pies and Plots
- Pineapple Upside Down Cake from Take A Bite Out of Boca
- S'mores Chocolate Cookie Cups from Cupcakes & Kale Chips
Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. To get more great Sunday Supper Recipes, visit our website or check out our Pinterest board.
Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.
Ala says
Susan, I’m in love with how you put it: my ideas most definitely fulfill the inverse procrastination-epicness relationship you described! How’d your hummus turn out–was it as rock star as you’d hoped? I once put off these layered brownies for a bajillion months and was horrified when I pulled them out to find layers oozing everywhere over an overbaked crust. Yech! But you really can’t go wrong with a solid buckle, especially this one–looks lovely! It’s great to meet you over here for Sunday Supper!
apuginthekitchen says
I just saw that buckle on Food52 the other day and thought that I really need to make it. Your buckle is gorgeous Susan and I bet CM really enjoyed!! I love blackberries and can’t wait for them to show up at the farmers market haven’t seen one berry yet.
Cheryl says
LOOKS SO GOOD! I love the way it buckles! So cool. I would love it if you would bring this recipe to my recipe link party The Yuck Stops Here this week. It will start Tuesday evening at 8pm ET on my blog, Hot Momma’s Kitchen Chaos. I hope to see you there. HUGS
cheri says
Hi Susan, blackberries are ripening up much earlier here than usual, this looks like the perfect way to enjoy them with others. Pinned!
Tara says
What a great recipes, I don’t think I have ever had Buckle!! Love when desserts are called funny names. Yours looks great!!
Simply Gourmet says
I need a big plate of this–looks so good! I love berry buckles but don’t make it very often. I need to print this today. Thanks for a great summer recipe.
Mallory @ Because I Like Chocolate says
What an interesting dessert, cornbread and crumble all rolled into one!
Sarah says
One of these days I’ll need to taste a buckle, never had one before
Laura Dembowski says
I so wish my farmers’ market had blackberries, but it never does. Buckle is one of my favorite treats, but I’ve only made it with blueberries. Both the blackberries and cornmeal sound like inspired additions.
Emily {Jelly Toast} says
I love how you made this a cornbread buckle – and the blackberries sound perfect! Beautiful photos, too!
Melanie | Melanie Makes says
Love the cornbread component of this dessert!
Roz says
What a perfect summer treat to bring to a BBQ! Love it!
Amy Kim says
Susan – congrats again on your award-winning huevos rancheros! And it was a pleasure meeting you, albeit brief!
I love this buckle and am now going to make this for my potluck next week!
Liz says
Susan, it was such a thrill to meet you…and share dinner last night! I need to make hubby a blueberry dessert and yours looks like a winner!
mjskit says
Thanks for introducing me to a buckle! I’ve never heard of it. You certainly sold it with those mouthwatering pictures! What a delicious treat.
Barb | Creative Culinary says
Just picked up some fresh blackberries this weekend too…this looks like a great use for them.
Choc Chip Uru says
I have never seen cornbread buckle before, you are so creative! I can just imagine all that fruity goodness combined with delicious fluffiness 😀
Fantastic!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction says
This is gorgeous! It’s been a long time since I’ve had a buckle!
Martin D Redmond says
I’ve never had a buckle before. It looks fabulous!
Courtney @ Neighborfood says
Susan, I am so bummed I didn’t get a chance to talk with you more at the conference! I can’t believe how quickly the weekend flew by. Too many people to talk to, so little time! I’m glad we had our moment during the photo though. 🙂 It was great to at least say hello face to face! This cake is gorgeous. Pretty sure I would eat it for breakfast.
Maureen says
I haven’t had a buckle since I lived in Maine a VERY long time ago. This one looks better than anything I remember but I do remember how much I loved it.
Norma Chang says
That is one good looking buckle and it should win a prize both for looks and taste.
Kimberly says
Oh my … this looks gorgeous!
I love a good “buckle” … and this one totally fits the bill!
Christy says
What a great recipe – I’m craving blackberry buckle now!
I noticed you are going to IFBC – looking forward to meeting you!
Terra says
Love buckle recipes! Your addition of cornmeal must make this recipe rock! Your recipe looks fabulous! Hugs, Terra
Laura says
This looks delicious, I wonder if I can justify having it for breakfast. 🙂
Dionne Baldwin says
I would absolutely love to try a buckle, especially this blackberry buckle. I’ve never made one before and now I am inspired to try it!
Shikha @ Shikha la mode says
Hey, taste always comes first – no use otherwise! And this still looks gorgeous!
Alice says
I havent seen a cornbread buckle before – how interesting! I love these kinds of desserts for breakfast… : ) thanks for sharing!
Oui, Chef says
I don’t think I’ve ever had a cornbread buckle…love the look of it!
Claudia says
So tasty! That appears to be amazing!