Nova Scotia Blueberry Cake Recipe: Sweet Summer Joy

Sweet Nova Scotia blueberry cake brings the maritime charm of Canada’s coastal regions right into your kitchen.

Bursting with vibrant flavor, this delightful dessert captures the essence of summer’s most beloved berry.

Local orchards and wild landscapes inspire this traditional treat that celebrates regional culinary heritage.

Generations of families have cherished this beloved recipe, passing down its delectable secrets through careful baking techniques.

Wild blueberries provide an extraordinary depth of taste, enhanceing a simple cake into a remarkable gastronomic experience.

Subtle nuances of sweetness and texture make this cake more than just a dessert—it’s a cultural expression.

Regional ingredients shine through in every tender, juicy bite, connecting you to Nova Scotia rich agricultural traditions.

Nova Scotia Blueberry Cake That Feels Like Home

• Burst of Fresh Blueberry Goodness: Packed with ripe, juicy blueberries that deliver a sweet and tangy flavor explosion in every single bite.
• Super Simple Baking Adventure: Requires minimal baking skills with straightforward steps that even novice bakers can nail perfectly, creating a delightful dessert without stress.
• Creamy Dreamy Texture Magic: The sour cream filling creates a luxurious, silky layer that balances the crumbly crust and fresh blueberries, offering a mouthwatering contrast of textures.
• Perfect Summer Celebration Treat: An ideal dessert for family gatherings, picnics, or weekend brunches that showcases the beautiful Nova Scotia blueberry harvest in a deliciously memorable way.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Nova Scotia Blueberry Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and texture for the cake base with a neutral, fine-grained quality.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with browning of the cake crust.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cake rise and creates a light, airy texture.
• Butter: Adds rich flavor and creates a crumbly, tender crust.
• Egg: Binds the ingredients and provides richness to the cake base.

• Fresh Blueberries: Sweet, juicy fruit that creates a vibrant and natural filling with a burst of flavor.
• Sour Cream: Adds moisture, tanginess, and creates a creamy, smooth texture for the cake.
• Sugar: Enhances the sweetness of the blueberry layer.
• Egg Yolks: Provide richness, color, and help thicken the filling.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth of flavor and complements the blueberries with its warm, sweet aroma.

• Springform Pan: Allows easy removal of the cake with its removable sides.

Follow These Steps to Bake Blueberry Cake With Love

Step 1: Prepare Oven and Pan

Warm up the oven to 375°F. Grease a springform pan thoroughly to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create Crumbly Crust Base

• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Baking powder

Cut cold butter into tiny cubes and work into the dry ingredients using a fork until the mixture looks like coarse breadcrumbs. Add one egg and blend until a soft dough forms.

Step 3: Shape Crust Foundation

Press the dough evenly across the bottom of the prepared springform pan, creating a smooth, uniform layer.

Step 4: Scatter Fresh Blueberries

Spread a generous layer of fresh blueberries across the entire crust surface, ensuring even distribution.

Step 5: Mix Creamy Topping

• Smooth sour cream
• White sugar
• Egg yolks
• Pure vanilla extract

Blend until the mixture becomes silky and well combined.

Step 6: Pour and Bake

Gently pour the creamy mixture over the blueberry-covered crust. Place in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 60 minutes, watching for a golden-brown edge.

Step 7: Cool and Serve

Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool completely in the pan. Carefully release the springform sides and transfer to a serving plate. Slice and enjoy this delightful Nova Scotia treat.

Tips That Make Blueberry Cake Juicier and Softer

• Select Fresh Berries: Choose plump, deep blue blueberries with a silvery sheen for the most vibrant flavor and best texture in your cake.
• Prevent Berry Sinking: Lightly dust blueberries with flour before adding them to the crust to help them stay evenly distributed during baking.
• Master the Crust Texture: Use cold butter and work quickly when cutting it into the flour mixture to create a flakier, more tender crust.
• Check Doneness Carefully: Insert a toothpick near the cake's center- it should come out mostly clean with just a few moist crumbs to ensure perfect baking.
• Enhance Serving: Allow the cake to cool completely before slicing to help it set properly and maintain a beautiful presentation when serving.

How to Store Blueberry Cake Without Drying It Out

• Refrigerate: Store leftover blueberry cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
• Freeze: Wrap individual slices or the entire cake in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months to maintain optimal flavor and texture.
• Reheat: Thaw frozen cake in the refrigerator overnight. Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a preheated oven at 325°F for 5-7 minutes until just heated through. Avoid overheating to prevent the cake from becoming dry or tough.

Pair This Cake With Tea or Ice Cream

• Brew Creamy Cold Brew Companion: Pair this blueberry cake with a smooth, chilled cold brew coffee that complements the cake's sweet and tangy flavor profile, cutting through the richness with its bold coffee notes.
• Citrus Sorbet Sidekick: Serve a light, zesty lemon or orange sorbet alongside the cake to refresh the palate and provide a bright, cleansing contrast to the dense, fruity dessert.
• Vanilla Bean Ice Cream Match: Top the warm cake with a scoop of premium vanilla bean ice cream, creating a delightful temperature and texture contrast that enhances the blueberry's natural sweetness.
• Sparkling Elderflower Refreshment: Accompany the cake with a crisp elderflower spritzer or light champagne to add an elegant, effervescent touch that elevates the dessert's delicate blueberry essence.

Blueberry Cake Twists to Add Some Zing

• Lemon Zest Blueberry Cake: Add fresh lemon zest to the crust mixture for a bright, citrusy flavor that complements the sweet blueberries and enhances the cake's overall taste profile.
• Gluten-Free Berry Delight: Substitute regular flour with almond flour or gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to make the cake suitable for those with gluten sensitivities while maintaining the original texture.
• Nutty Crumble Topping: Sprinkle chopped almonds or pecans over the sour cream mixture before baking to create a crunchy texture and add a rich, nutty dimension to the classic Nova Scotia blueberry cake.
• Maple Vanilla Infusion: Replace sugar with maple syrup in the filling and add an extra splash of pure vanilla extract to introduce a deeper, more complex sweetness characteristic of Canadian dessert traditions.

Nova Scotia Blueberry Cake Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Moist Nova Scotia blueberry cake celebrates local bounty with rich maritime flavors. Sweet berries and delicate crumb invite coastal comfort, drawing taste buds into a delightful Canadian culinary journey you won’t soon forget.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients (Fruit):

• 4 cups blueberries

Base Ingredients (Crust and Dry Components):

• 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 0.5 cup sugar
• 1.5 teaspoons baking powder
• 0.5 cup butter

Binding and Liquid Ingredients:

• 1 egg
• 2 egg yolks
• 2 cups sour cream
• 0.5 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Prepare a 375°F (190°C) oven environment for baking the Nova Scotia blueberry delicacy.
2. Create the foundational pastry base by combining flour, sugar, and baking powder in a mixing vessel.
3. Transform butter into tiny cubes and integrate into the dry ingredient mixture, using fork tines to break down and generate a sandy, crumbly texture.
4. Incorporate a single egg into the crumbly mixture, gently kneading until a cohesive dough forms.
5. Carefully transfer and press the dough uniformly across the surface of a pre-greased springform pan, ensuring an even layer.
6. Distribute fresh blueberries across the prepared pastry foundation in a consistent, attractive arrangement.
7. Craft a luxurious cream mixture by whisking together smooth sour cream, granulated sugar, rich egg yolks, and fragrant vanilla extract in a separate mixing bowl.
8. Delicately cascade the cream mixture over the blueberry-covered crust, allowing it to settle naturally.
9. Position the assembled cake into the preheated oven and bake for approximately one hour, monitoring until the edges transform into a golden-brown hue.
10. Allow the baked dessert to cool completely within the pan, enabling the layers to set and stabilize before gentle pan removal.

Notes

• This nostalgic Nova Scotia dessert celebrates the region’s abundant blueberry harvest with a rustic, homestyle cake that combines a buttery crust and creamy filling.
• Fresh blueberries create a vibrant, juicy layer that bursts with natural sweetness during baking, making each slice a delightful summer treat.
• The crumbly crust provides a perfect textural contrast to the smooth, rich sour cream topping, ensuring a complex and satisfying flavor profile.
• Springform pan is crucial for easy cake removal and maintaining the delicate structure of this traditional maritime dessert.
• Long baking time of 60 minutes allows the blueberries to caramelize slightly and the custard-like topping to set beautifully, developing deep, complex flavors.
• Cooling the cake completely before serving helps the filling stabilize and allows for cleaner, more elegant slicing.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 60 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Canadian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 15 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 43 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg