Blueberry Lemon Bundt Cake

Blueberry Lemon Bundt CakeMy fridge has become packed with berries of all kinds, and while we are eating them plain or sprinkled on yogurt, cereal, and ice cream, I’m also coming up with all kinds of ways to use them in my baking. Pies, of course, and crisps. Muffins, scones, and bars also find their way into the rotation. This Bundt cake came about when I needed to feed some morning guests, and was a big hit with everyone. This cake gets better with age (I like to make it the day before), and the blueberries and lemon compliment each other well.

Blueberry Lemon Bundt Cake

ingredients:

For the cake:

  • 3 cups (600g) granulated sugar
  • Zest from 2 lemons
  • 3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon soda
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter
  • 6 ounces (170g) cream cheese
  • 6 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries

For the glaze:

  • 2 medium lemons
  • 3 cups (360g) confectioners’ sugar, sifted
  • Pinch salt

directions:

To make the cake:
Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 325ºF (160ºC). Butter and flour a 10-inch tube or Bundt pan very thoroughly.

Scrub the lemons with warm soapy water to remove any excess wax, then dry the fruit. Put the sugar into a medium bowl and zest the lemon directly into the sugar. Use your fingers to rub the zest into the sugar until evenly distributed and fragrant.

Sift the flour, baking soda, and salt together in a bowl. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large bowl with an electric mixer, mix the butter and cream cheese on medium speed for about 2 minutes. Add the sugar and zest mixture and turn the mixer up to medium-high. Mix for 3-5 minutes, making sure to scrape down the bottom and sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula periodically. The butter and sugar should be light, fluffy, and fragrant.

Add the eggs one at a time, mixing for about 30 seconds after each addition. Periodically stop the mixer and scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl to ensure even mixing. Add the vanilla and mix until combined.

On low speed, add the milk, followed by half the flour mixture, and mix until just combined. Add the lemon juice, and then the remaining flour mixture, and mix until just combined. Remove the bowl from the mixer, add the blueberries, and give the mixture a few more turns with a spatula to make sure it’s combined completely. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Tap the pan lightly on the counter to remove any large air bubbles.

Blueberry Lemon Bundt Cake

Bake the cake until it is golden and a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean, 60 to 75 minutes, depending on the pan. Let the cake cool in the pan for 20 minutes, then carefully unmold it onto a rack to cool a bit more before glazing.

To make the glaze:
Zest and juice the lemons. Add the zest, confectioners’ sugar, and a pinch of salt to a bowl. Whisk in about 6 tablespoons of the lemon juice. You want the glaze to be thick, but pourable. If the glaze seems too thick to pour, add a few more drops of lemon juice.

Blueberry Lemon Bundt Cake

When the cake has mostly cooled, use a skewer to poke a few holes into its surface. Drizzle half of the glaze on top of the cake, let it soak in for about 20 minutes, then whisk the remaining glaze until smooth and pour it over the top of the cake. Let the glaze set for a few minutes before serving.

Blueberry Lemon Bundt Cake