Blueberry Crumb

Once upon a time, I went to bed with a cookbook and a stack of post its. OK, it wasn’t that long ago…no worries, I have fully accepted and embraced my nerd status. I’m ok with it.

Actually, I tend to purchase cookbooks and read them like novels. There is something about a back story to a recipe or the person creating it. Enter websites and food blogs, and I am one happy reader. Listen, some people binge watch reality tv, recipes are my thing…it’s all good.

As a teacher note- if you or your loved one doesn’t consider yourself, “a reader,” but you find yourself drawn to reading online articles, sports magazines, book about bugs, how-to books, or say, cookbooks…guess what? You are a reader. You just prefer non-fiction. I am a balanced reader, in that I read whatever, but for some people (and students in particular young students who don’t love reading) non-fiction is my in. I am teaching about bugs, and trucks, and tigers, oh my. If they are interested in what they are reading, leave it alone and let them read. 

We also have this staff breakfast on Fridays at my work where we take turns supplying the eats. It’s a collaborative friendly celebration of survival and academic excellence. So my inner breakfast bossy-pants wants to bring my best to the table, I want my staff to know I love them enough to make the good stuff.

Practice makes perfect. So, I tried out another recipe.

This recipe started out with one from the justapinch food blog. The original recipe can be found here: https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/dessert/cake/blueberry-crumb-coffee-cake.html I did make some changes because I don’t want to just use another person’s recipe, and I am also always struggling with the density of coffee cakes and muffins, and am on a cake flour bender.

I made this recipe using a springform pan, which is another new thing for me, but I think the effect of the finished cake was beautiful, and enabled me to slice it into perfect wedges for sharing.

The crumb topping for this cake is beautiful. I added more spices than the original and in truth, felt it needed more. I asked my tasters (fresh out of the gym, yes I am the bad friend who hands baked goods over after people work out) and the response was, “What? It doesn’t need anything.” Granted, it could be the boot camp talking. They work hard in those classes. Anything may have tasted good at the moment.

I once read about how one of the makers of Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream had a condition which made him not be able to taste efficiently, which is why the flavors in that ice cream are so intense. I wonder sometimes if I suffer from the same thing? The need for more cinnamon is a thing, right? Right?

So, in addition to messing with the flour, I also added a little more sugar, more blueberries, and like aforementioned, more spice.

This deliciousness will be coming to Friday breakfast for sure, and even though it is close to perfection, I can be absolutely sure it won’t be my last recipe when it comes to blueberries, crumb topping, and the oven. Like my nerd awareness, I am ok with it. I really am.

I hope you like this recipe, and as always, thank you for coming to the table!

Chrissy