Here’s the recipe from “The BEST Blueberry Cake for Afternoon Tea” video that was published today on YouTube. The sheet cake (or “traybake,” as it is known in Britain), is marvelously moist, fabulously fragrant, and definitely addicting. I love it for Afternoon Tea, but it is equally welcome for breakfast or dessert.
As mentioned in the video, this recipe is adapted from “The Perfect Afternoon Tea Recipe Book” by Antony Wild and Carol Pastor. The book was a gift from a very kind viewer. I have re-written the recipe below in my own words, and have provided extra details therein to ensure the cake turns out as beautifully for you as it did for me..
Whether you want it for Afternoon Tea or a midnight snack, I hope you will give this cake a try. It is beyond delicious.
Perfect Blueberry Cake
Equipment
- A stand mixer or electric beaters
Ingredients
For the cake batter:
- 2 cups (225g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 5 tablespoons (65g) butter, softened to room temperature
- 3/4 cup (150g) caster sugar (or substitute granulated sugar)
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup (250ml) whole milk
- The grated zest of one lemon
- 2 cups (1 pint or 225g) fresh blueberries
For the icing:
- 1 cup (115g) confectioners' sugar
- 2 teaspoons (or slightly more) freshly-squeezed lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease a 9x13 (or slightly smaller) baking dish, and line it with baking parchment.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy -- about 4 minutes. Beat in the egg. A little at a time, beat in the milk, followed by the lemon zest. With the mixer at its lowest speed, gradually beat in the flour. Increase the speed to "medium-high," and beat just until the batter appears smooth -- 5-10 seconds.
- Pour half of the batter into the prepared baking dish, and spread it all the way to the edges. (The layer will be quite thin.) Sprinkle with half the blueberries. Top with the remaining batter, and sprinkle on the remaining blueberries.
- Bake until the cake turns golden, and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean -- 35-45 minutes (my electric oven required the full 45 minutes).
- Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Then transfer the cake on its parchment liner to a wire rack, and let it cool to room temperature.
- To make the icing, whisk together the confectioners' sugar and enough lemon juice to achieve a thick but pourable glaze. Drizzle the icing over the cake.
- For easy slicing, remove the cake from its parchment liner (run an offset spatula between cake and paper if necessary to dislodge), and place it on a cutting board. Cut the cake into 12 rectangles.
Sue C says
This sounds really good, but how many eggs? Or only one? The directions mention an egg(s), but none are listed in the ingredients. Thanks (we have blueberry bushes, and they’re just about ready here in West Virginia).
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Sue C – Printable recipe is fixed now: 1 large egg. Hope you enjoy the cake — I certainly did!
Tressa says
That looks good! I’m currently fighting with the birds to save me some blueberries. I really miss your garden tours!
Sue C says
Made it today, used buttermilk and a pinch of baking soda in place of milk. Looks yummy!
Kim Martin says
Can I use frozen blueberries which are available year round? If I put them in when frozen they’ll soften but also might have too much liquid in them. Maybe I could coat in flour or corn starch?
Sue C says
It was absolutely yummy. I’m a chocolate lover, but this could be a favorite dessert for me.