The Zesty Blueberry Cake with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

My recent obsession with blueberry cake featuring zesty lemon cream cheese frosting started during a lazy weekend experiment in my kitchen.

Spontaneous baking adventures often lead to delightful surprises when ingredients dance together unexpectedly.

Sweet bursts of ripe blueberries complement the tangy cream cheese perfectly, creating a dessert that feels both comforting and elegant.

Creamy frosting with bright lemon notes adds a sophisticated twist to this classic cake.

Soft, moist cake layers studded with juicy berries promise a decadent experience for anyone seeking a memorable treat.

Bold flavors and simple ingredients make this recipe accessible to bakers of all skill levels.

Indulge your senses and let this blueberry cake become your next delectable culinary triumph.

Blueberry Cake with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting Magic

• Burst with Fruity Freshness: Packed with juicy blueberries and zesty lemon, this cake delivers an explosion of vibrant, refreshing flavors that dance on your taste buds.
• Master Baker's Delight: Perfect for baking enthusiasts who love creating stunning desserts with multiple layers, intricate frosting techniques, and professional-level presentation.
• Crowd-Pleasing Celebration Cake: Ideal for special occasions like birthdays, bridal showers, or summer gatherings where you want to impress guests with a gorgeous, homemade dessert that looks as amazing as it tastes.
• Customize Your Colorful Creation: Offers flexibility with optional pink gel coloring and decorative options like fresh blueberries or lemon slice garnishes, allowing personal artistic expression in cake design.

Blueberry Cake Ingredient Checklist for Lemon Frosting

• Cake Flour: A soft, fine flour that creates a tender and delicate cake texture.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Leavening agents that help the cake rise and become light and fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the cake.

• Butter: Provides rich flavor and helps create a smooth, creamy cake base.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with the cake's texture and browning.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add structure to the cake.
• Sour Cream: Adds moisture and creates a tender crumb.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures the cake remains moist and soft.

• Blueberries (Whole and Pureed): Fresh blueberries add bursts of fruity flavor and natural sweetness to the cake.
• Lemon Zest, Lemon Juice: Adds bright, citrusy notes to the frosting.
• Pink Coloring Gel (Optional): Provides a vibrant color to the cake.

• Cream Cheese: Creates a tangy, creamy base for the frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps create a smooth frosting texture.

Baking Instructions for Blueberry Lemon Cake Perfection

Step 1: Whip Up Blueberry Goodness

Grab your blueberries and transform them into a magical puree.

Toss them in a pan with water and simmer until they reduce to a thick, luscious sauce.

Let the puree cool completely – patience is key!

• Fresh blueberries
• Water
• Saucepan
• Blender or food processor

Step 2: Prepare Baking Station

Warm up the oven to a cozy 350°F.

Lovingly coat three cake pans with butter and flour, ensuring no cake will stick behind.

• Cake pans
• Butter or cooking spray
• Flour

Step 3: Create Dry Ingredient Magic

In a bowl, dance your whisk through cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until perfectly combined.

• Cake flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Whisk

Step 4: Blend Wet Ingredient Wonderland

Mix sour cream, cooled blueberry puree, and vegetable oil into a silky smooth liquid treasure.

• Sour cream
• Blueberry puree
• Vegetable oil

Step 5: Cream Butter To Perfection

Grab your mixer and transform butter and sugar into a fluffy cloud.

Add eggs one at a time, giving each a loving beat.

• Butter
• Sugar
• Eggs
• Stand mixer

Step 6: Build Cake Batter Symphony

Alternate dry ingredients and wet mixture into your butter base.

Optional: Add a touch of pink gel for a playful color pop.

• Dry ingredients mix
• Wet ingredient mixture
• Pink gel coloring (optional)

Step 7: Sprinkle Blueberry Surprises

Gently fold whole blueberries into the batter, creating delightful bursts of flavor.

• Whole blueberries

Step 8: Bake With Love

Divide batter evenly into prepared pans.

Bake for 22-25 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

• Cake batter
• Toothpick

Step 9: Cool Down

Allow cakes to rest in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to cooling racks.

• Cooling racks

Step 10: Whip Creamy Frosting Base

Beat butter until smooth, then welcome cream cheese to create a dreamy foundation.

• Butter
• Cream cheese
• Mixer

Step 11: Finish Frosting Flourish

Gradually blend powdered sugar, lemon juice, and zest into a creamy, tangy masterpiece.

• Powdered sugar
• Lemon juice
• Lemon zest

Step 12: Assemble Showstopper Cake

Layer cake with lemon cream cheese frosting.

Decorate with blueberries, lemon slices, or artistic frosting designs.

Tips for Frosting Blueberry Cake with Lemon Cream Cheese

• Toss whole blueberries in a light dusting of flour before folding into the batter to prevent them from sinking during baking.
• Use room temperature ingredients like eggs and sour cream to ensure a smooth, evenly textured cake with optimal moisture.
• Boost the lemon notes by adding extra lemon zest directly into the cake batter for a more intense citrus profile.
• Add a tiny drop of pink gel food coloring for a subtle, soft blush tone that complements the blueberry and lemon flavors.
• Ensure cream cheese and butter are at room temperature and beat thoroughly to create a smooth, spreadable frosting without lumps.

Blueberry Cake Flavor Variations for Summer Parties

• Gluten-Free Blueberry Cake: Replace cake flour with a gluten-free flour blend and add xanthan gum for better texture and structure.
• Vegan Blueberry Delight: Substitute eggs with flax eggs, use coconut oil instead of butter, and swap cream cheese with a plant-based alternative like cashew cream cheese.
• Low-Sugar Berry Cake: Use a sugar substitute like stevia or monk fruit sweetener, and reduce overall sugar content while maintaining moisture with applesauce.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Replace sour cream with coconut yogurt, use dairy-free butter alternatives, and select a non-dairy cream cheese for the frosting.

Blueberry Cake Lemon Frosting Serving Inspiration

• Brunch Showstopper: Present this blueberry cake as a stunning centerpiece for weekend brunch gatherings, complemented by fresh coffee or mimosas.
• Summer Dessert Delight: Serve chilled on a warm afternoon with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, creating a refreshing and indulgent treat that celebrates seasonal flavors.
• Afternoon Tea Elegance: Slice delicately and pair with Earl Grey tea, making an sophisticated dessert perfect for elegant afternoon gatherings with friends or family.
• Celebration Stunner: Decorate with fresh blueberries and edible flowers around the cake's base for birthdays, bridal showers, or special occasions that demand a memorable dessert.

Blueberry Cake with Lemon Frosting Storage Advice

• Store the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Wrap each layer separately with plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent absorbing other flavors.
• Carefully wrap the entire frosted cake in two layers of plastic wrap, then add a layer of aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 1 month, ensuring no air pockets can cause freezer burn.
• Cut cake into individual portions, wrap each slice tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Thaw slices in the refrigerator for 3-4 hours before serving.

FAQs

• Can I use frozen blueberries instead of fresh ones?

Yes, you can use frozen blueberries. Thaw and drain them before pureeing and adding to the cake batter to prevent excess moisture.

• What if I don't have cake flour?

You can substitute cake flour with all-purpose flour. For each cup of cake flour, remove 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour and replace with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch.

• How do I prevent blueberries from sinking in the cake batter?

Toss the blueberries in a little flour before folding them into the batter. This helps prevent them from sinking to the bottom during baking.

Blueberry Cake Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

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4.8 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Heavenly Blueberry Cake delights with rich lemon cream cheese frosting, marrying sweet and tangy flavors in a perfect dessert symphony. Moist crumb and creamy topping promise pure indulgence you’ll savor down to the last delectable bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cake Ingredients:

Main Dry Ingredients:

• 3 cups cake flour (342g)
• 2 teaspoons baking powder (8g)
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda (3g)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (3g)

Wet Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softened (170g)
• 2 cups sugar (400g)
• 3 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 cup sour cream (227g)
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil (54g)

Blueberry Components:

• 1 1/2 cups blueberries, pureed and reduced to 3/4 cup (198g)
• 1/2 cup whole blueberries (66g)

Optional Ingredient:

• A small amount of pink coloring gel for vibrant color

Frosting Ingredients:

Butter and Cheese Base:

• 3 sticks unsalted butter, softened (339g)
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened (226g)

Citrus Components:

• 1/4 cup lemon juice (57g)
• Zest of 1 lemon

Sweetening Agent:

• 7 1/2 cups powdered sugar (863g)

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Instructions

1. Create a vibrant blueberry puree by simmering blueberries with water over medium heat until reduced to 3/4 cup. Allow the mixture to cool completely at room temperature.
2. Heat the oven to 350°F. Thoroughly grease and flour three 8-inch round cake pans to prevent sticking.
3. Combine cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl, whisking until evenly mixed.
4. In a separate bowl, blend sour cream, cooled blueberry puree, and vegetable oil until smooth and well incorporated.
5. Using a stand mixer, cream butter and sugar until light and airy. Incorporate eggs individually, ensuring thorough mixing after each addition.
6. Gradually add dry ingredients and wet mixture to the butter mixture, alternating between the two and starting and ending with dry ingredients. Optional: Add a touch of pink gel coloring for visual appeal.
7. Carefully fold whole blueberries into the batter, distributing them evenly without overmixing.
8. Distribute batter equally among prepared pans. Bake for 22-25 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
9. Allow cakes to rest in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to cooling racks to reach room temperature.
10. Beat softened butter in a stand mixer until smooth and creamy. Integrate cream cheese, mixing until fully combined.
11. Slowly incorporate powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Beat until frosting reaches a silky, uniform consistency.
12. Layer and frost each cake tier with lemon cream cheese frosting. Embellish with fresh blueberries, lemon slices, or decorative frosting patterns as desired.

Notes

• Puree Precision Ensure blueberry puree is completely cooled before adding to wet ingredients to prevent butter from melting and affecting cake texture.
• Flour Power Use cake flour for a lighter, more delicate crumb that creates a tender cake with soft, melt-in-your-mouth consistency.
• Gentle Folding Fold blueberries gently to prevent breaking berries and bleeding color throughout batter, maintaining beautiful cake appearance.
• Dietary Flexibility Swap vegetable oil with coconut oil for a subtle tropical twist or use gluten-free flour blend for celiac-friendly version.

• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 563
• Sugar: 61 g
• Sodium: 293 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 73 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg