Blueberry Cake

Blueberry Cake: A Sweet and Aromatic Delight

If you're looking for a quick and delicious dessert, blueberry cake is the perfect choice! This recipe will not only delight your taste buds but will also bring a touch of freshness to your table. Blueberries, with their sweet-tart flavor, are ideal for creating a light and fluffy cake that everyone will surely enjoy.

Preparation time: 25 minutes
Baking time: 1 hour
Total time: 1 hour and 25 minutes
Number of servings: 12

Ingredients:

For the dough:
- 250 g flour
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 125 g margarine (or butter, for a richer taste)
- 1 egg
- a pinch of salt
- 1 packet vanilla sugar

For the cheese cream:
- 50 g butter (at room temperature)
- 500 g full-fat cottage cheese (you can also use low-fat cottage cheese, but the taste will be different)
- 100 g sugar
- 5 tablespoons sour cream
- 3 eggs (separate the yolks from the whites)
- 2 tablespoons corn flour (starch)
- 1 packet vanilla sugar
- grated zest of 1 lemon (for extra flavor)
- 150 g fresh blueberries (or frozen, if out of season)

For the crispy flakes:
- 125 g butter
- 100 g sugar
- 125 g flour

Preparation:

1. Preparing the dough
In a large bowl, add the margarine (or butter) at room temperature, sugar, salt, and vanilla sugar. Using a mixer or spatula, mix the ingredients until the sugar is completely dissolved and the mixture becomes creamy. This is when the butter will release its aroma, so don't rush!

2. Adding the egg
Add the egg to the butter mixture and continue to homogenize until you achieve a uniform composition. Make sure the egg is well incorporated to have an even dough.

3. Incorporating the flour
Start adding the flour gradually, mixing gently with a spatula or your hands. The dough should be homogeneous and easy to shape. If it is too sticky, you can add a little more flour.

4. Chilling the dough
Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. This step helps to firm up the dough, making it easier to roll out.

5. Preparing the mold
Meanwhile, prepare a round cake pan (about 24 cm in diameter). Cut a piece of parchment paper to fit the size of the pan to prevent the cake from sticking.

6. Rolling out the dough
After the dough has been in the fridge, take it out and roll it on a floured surface or directly on the parchment paper. Place the dough in the prepared pan, ensuring that the edges are well covered. Use a fork to prick the bottom of the crust to help prevent air bubbles from forming during baking.

7. Preparing the cheese cream
In another bowl, mix the cottage cheese with the soft butter, sugar, sour cream, egg yolks, corn flour, vanilla sugar, and lemon zest. Make sure all the ingredients are well combined and creamy.

8. Beating the egg whites
Beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form and, very carefully, fold them into the cheese mixture with a spatula, using gentle up-and-down motions to maintain airiness.

9. Assembling the cake
Pour the cheese cream over the dough crust and level it well. Then, add the blueberries, previously mixed with a little flour to prevent them from sinking to the bottom during baking.

10. Baking the cake
Preheat the oven to 180°C. Bake the cake for 15 minutes. In the meantime, you can prepare the crispy flakes.

11. Preparing the crispy flakes
In a bowl, mix the butter, sugar, and flour. Do not knead too much, just enough to bind the ingredients. The crispy flakes will add a delicious texture to your cake.

12. Finalizing the baking
Remove the cake from the oven and sprinkle the crispy flakes on top. Put the cake back in the oven for 50-60 minutes, until it becomes golden and firm to the touch.

13. Cooling and serving
Once baked, let the cake cool completely in the pan, then carefully remove it onto a platter. It is recommended to cut it cold for nice, even portions.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Can I use other fruits instead of blueberries?
Sure! You can replace blueberries with raspberries, blackberries, or even peaches, depending on your preferences.

2. How can I make the cake less sweet?
You can reduce the amount of sugar in the recipe or use a natural sweetener like stevia.

3. Is it possible to use low-fat cottage cheese?
Yes, but keep in mind that the cake will have a less creamy and rich taste.

Nutritional benefits:
Blueberries are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, having anti-inflammatory properties and heart health benefits. Additionally, cottage cheese provides quality protein and calcium, making it an excellent choice for a nutritious dessert.

Possible variations:
For an even more intense flavor, you can add some chopped nuts or almonds to the cheese cream. You can also experiment with different spices like cinnamon or nutmeg to add a touch of warmth.

Ideal combinations:
This cake pairs perfectly with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a serving of sweet cream. Also, green tea or a cappuccino will perfectly complement the meal, bringing a pleasant contrast to the fruit's flavor.

Personalization:
If you want to add a surprise element, you can drizzle the cake with fruit syrup or melted chocolate before serving. This will transform your cake into a true culinary indulgence!

Enjoy! This blueberry cake will surely become a favorite in your family, and the moments spent in the kitchen will be just as enjoyable as the final taste. Create sweet memories and enjoy every slice!