This is the best blueberry cake EVER – it is truly delectable. The secret ingredient in the recipe is cream cheese – it makes a moist, rich, and amazing cake you’ll be craving for days after it’s gone!
For a little something different, swap out the icing with Homemade Whipped Cream. It’s an indulgent twist the whole family will love.
Fresh Blueberry Cake with Cream Cheese Icing Perfection
What’s the one thing that sets this Blueberry cake apart from others? The rich taste of the cream cheese that’s mixed right into the batter. It’s the perfect pairing with fresh blueberries.
I’m not exaggerating when I say this is not only one of the best cakes I have ever made, but it’s one of the best cakes I have ever tasted! I am truly proud of this creation! Oh, and that Cream Cheese Icing! It’s so good you’ll want to eat it with a spoon!
Why This Recipe Works:
- The cream cheese baked into the cake adds moisture and flavor.
- The thick batter helps keep the blueberries from sinking to the bottom of the cake.
- The cream cheese icing is the perfect way to finish off this luscious cake.
A Blueberry Cake with No Sinking Berries
I think the key to a good blueberry cake is to have a thick batter to help combat the sinking blueberries, so instead of milk, I used cream cheese and sour cream.
I’ve had many people tell me the only thing that stops blueberries from sinking is to coat them in flour. I’ve been known to do that, but in this case, I think the thick batter made a big difference.
In researching the whole coating of blueberries in flour, I found this great article on Serious Eats that’s worth a read. Great tips to be found.
Making Blueberry Cake with Frozen Blueberries:
- To prevent your frozen blueberries from bleeding into the batter, don’t leave them out to defrost. Instead, rinse the frozen blueberries to defrost them.
- Rinse the blueberries in cold water several times until they are defrosted and the water is relatively clear when you drain them. As they defrost, the water may start dark blue but gradually lighten to a watery reddish blue.
- Dry the blueberries with paper towels by spreading them out evenly and pressing another layer on top. Press gently and leave until you need them.
- Before adding the defrosted blueberries to the batter, coat them with a tablespoon of flour (be sure to stir gently when folding them into the batter).
How to make Best Blueberry Cake {EVER}
Start by softening the butter and cream cheese together in the microwave until very soft but not completely melted.
Next, mix all the wet ingredients and sugar with the cream cheese mixture until combined.
Mix in the remaining dry ingredients by hand.
Fold in the blueberries.
Add the batter evenly to the pan.
After filling the pan, I reserved some of the blueberries, which I added to the top of the cake. This also helped to give a nice, even look to the cake.
Bake for 50-60 minutes until a cake tester comes out clean and the top is nicely browned.
Since I used cream cheese in the batter, I also decided on cream cheese icing. I’m not a big fan of overly sweet icing, so I use cream cheese to tone down the sweetness. This icing is so good, you can eat it with a spoon!
To make the icing, start with melted butter and softened cream cheese.
Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and some milk (I used 3 tablespoons because I like my icing a little thick).
Blend until smooth.
Drizzle the icing over the cake and top with fresh blueberries.
My husband (who rarely strays from chocolate desserts) took one bite of this cake and said it was the best cake I ever made! Coming from a man that eats chocolate on a regular basis, I’ll take that as a really big thumbs up!
This cake lasted really well, for a good three days.
Erren’s Top Tips
- When baking with sour cream, it’s important to use full-fat sour cream, not low-fat or fat-free. Low-fat and fat-free sour cream liquefies when heated and turns watery.
- Be careful not to overmix the batter: Once the flour is added, try mixing with a wooden spoon instead of a mixer. Over-mixing will result in a tough, dense cake.
- You can substitute sour cream in this recipe with buttermilk. You can use store-bought buttermilk or make your own by mixing 1½ teaspoons of lemon juice with ½ cup of whole milk.
- For maximum flavor, let the mixture sit for 5 minutes before using it in a recipe.
- This cake batter will be very thick (if none of your butter melted during the softening); be very gentle when you fold the blueberries so they don’t get damaged.
- Testing to ensure the cake is fully cooked: The middle of the cake should spring back when you gently press your finger against it. I use this method of cake testing alongside inserting a cake tester for this cake.
- Use foil to avoid over-browning the cake. Starting at halfway through the baking time, check to see if the cake is getting too brown (you should never open the oven before halfway through the baking process). If so, cover with foil and return to the oven to finish baking.
- Don’t forget to leave some fresh blueberries to decorate the top!
- This cake can be frozen (without the icing) well-wrapped or in an airtight container for up to three months.
Other Great Blueberry Recipes
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Let’s Make Best Blueberry Cake {EVER}
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup butter softened
- ¼ cup cream cheese
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups blueberries washed and dried
For the icing:
- ¼ cup butter melted
- ½ cup cream cheese softened
- ¾ cup confectioners sugar sifted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3-5 tablespoons milk
Instructions
For the cake:
- Preheat the oven to 350f/175c Grease a 9-inch spring-form pan and set aside.
- In a small heat-safe bowl, soften the butter and cream cheese together in the microwave until very soft, but not completely melted (don’t worry if some of the butter melts).
- Mix all the wet ingredients and sugar with the cream cheese mixture until combined. Mix in the remaining dry ingredients by hand.
- Fold in the blueberries (reserving some of them for after the batter is added to the pan).
- Add the batter evenly to the pan and then place the blueberries evenly across the top of the batter.
- Bake for 55-65 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean, and when gently pressed, the middle of the cake should feel firm & springy. If the cake starts to brown too much cover in foil and return to the oven.
- Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes before removing from the pan and transferring to a wire rack.
For the icing:
- In a mixing bowl whisk together the butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract.
- Add the milk as needed 1 tablespoon at a time until it is the desired consistency.
- Once the cake has cooled, drizzle with the icing and serve.
Tips + Notes
Nutrition Information:
Update Notes: This post was originally published on July 18, 2014, but was republished with updated photos, a video, step by step instructions and tips in May of 2019.
Kim Wisner says
I had the challenge of making large Birthday cake for a group of 25 to enjoy. The challenge…..it had to be sugar free. I double the recipe and used swerve for the sugar in the cake and swerve powdered sugar in the icing. it was fabulous, a little dense, but the flavor was terrific. Very few knew it was sugar free until they came to tell me how good it was and wanted the recipe. ii can’t wait to make it with real sugar to see if it taste any different. thank you for the recipe and such great directions!
Erren Hart says
Thank you for the great feedback! We’re so glad you enjoyed the cake and that it was a great success without any sugar. If you ever have any questions or issues with the recipe, please don’t hesitate to let us know. We’re always happy to help!
Cheryl Cooper says
Would thawed frozen blueberries work?
Erren Hart says
Frozen blueberries can be used in place of fresh ones; no need to defrost them, just throw them in.
Meghan says
Delicious, moist cake. Brought it to a potluck and everyone loved it! Didn’t have any left to bring home. I did not have sour cream, so that was the only change I had to make. I substituted equal parts mayonnaise. It worked! However, I want to make it again with sour cream. I bet that will be even better! Thank you for the recipe.
Meghan says
I forgot to put 5 stars!!
Erren Hart says
It’s very kind of you to come back to leave the stars! 🙂
Erren Hart says
Hi Meghan, Thanks for trying our recipe and leaving a review. We’re glad you enjoyed it! The substitution of mayonnaise for sour cream is common, and it works well. We hope you’ll try the recipe again with sour cream soon – we think you’ll love the results! Be sure to let us know!
Emi says
I love this recipe even my family loves it . I have made it twice so far
Erren Hart says
Thank you, Emi! We’re so glad you and your family love this recipe. It’s one of our favorites too. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Lauren Moser says
What if I don’t have a spring form pan? Can I use something else?
Erren Hart says
Hi Lauren, thanks for reaching out! You can definitely use another type of baking pan like a bundt pan – just be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly. Happy baking!
Kelsey says
I’ve made this cake a few times and absolutely love it! I’m wondering if it would be possible to adjust the cook time and use this recipe for cupcakes?
Erren Hart says
Of course! Check them after baking 20. Glad you enjoyed the recipe!
jane doe says
I replaced the blueberries with some huckleberries and it was amazing. Thanks for the awesome recipe! <3
Carla Carver says
Long history of MAINE Blueberry Cakes…..
Move over Marjorie Standish!
Erren Hart says
I won’t lie; coming from NJ, I had to look up Marjorie Standish, but after doing so, I’ll it as high praise! Thanks, Carla!
Helene says
This IS the best blueberry cake! I added some lemon zest because I like blueberry and lemon. It was so moist and did hold the berries nicely. My new go to cake!
Erren Hart says
I’m so glad you enjoy the cake so much! Thanks for taking the time to comment!
Emily says
I made this cake yesterday for Father’s Day and it was a huge hit! It was absolutely delicious and is mine, as well as other members of my family, new favorite cake. It will definitely be a new regular for family holiday celebrations!
Erren Hart says
I’m so happy everyone likes the cake so much! Thanks a ton for taking time out of your day to let me know.