A delicious, creamy blueberry dessert bake made with juicy blueberries, sweet cream cheese, and a buttery crumble topping. This easy dessert is perfect for family gatherings, brunch, or a sweet afternoon treat.
Ingredients
For the Blueberry Layer
- 4 cups fresh blueberries
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
For the Cream Cheese Layer
- 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
For the Crumble Topping
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease an 8 × 8-inch baking dish.
2. Prepare the blueberries: In a bowl, combine blueberries, sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, and cornstarch. Toss gently until the berries are coated.
3. Make the cream cheese mixture: Beat the softened cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and sour cream. Mix until creamy and well combined.
4. Prepare the crumble: In a separate bowl, combine flour, sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Pour in the melted butter and mix with a fork until small crumbs form.
5. Assemble the bake: Spread the blueberry mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Spoon the cream cheese mixture over the berries and gently spread it out. Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the surface.
6. Bake: Bake for 35–45 minutes, until the topping is lightly golden and the cream cheese layer is set. If the center is still loose, bake for another 5 minutes.
7. Cool: Allow the dessert to cool for at least 30–45 minutes before serving. For cleaner slices and a firmer texture, refrigerate for 2 hours.
8. Serve: Cut into squares and serve chilled or slightly cool.
Recipe Information
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Cooling Time: 30–45 minutes
- Total Time: Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes
- Servings: 9
- Course: Dessert
- Cuisine: American-inspired
- Cooking Method: Oven-baked
Nutrition Information
Estimated per serving, based on 9 servings.
- Calories: 290 kcal
- Protein: 4 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Total Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 130 mg
Nutrition values are approximate and may vary depending on the ingredients and brands used.
Nut Information and Allergens
- Tree nuts: No tree nuts are included in this recipe as written.
- Peanuts: No peanuts are included.
- Dairy: Contains cream cheese, butter, and sour cream.
- Eggs: Contains one egg.
- Gluten: Contains wheat flour. Use a suitable gluten-free flour blend if needed.
- Soy: Not intentionally included, but check packaged ingredients.
- Cross-contact: Check labels for allergen warnings and possible cross-contact.
Nut-free note: This recipe contains no nuts as listed, but it cannot be guaranteed allergen-free unless all ingredients and preparation surfaces are verified safe.
Questions and Answers (Q&A)
Q1: Can I use frozen blueberries?
Yes. Use frozen blueberries straight from the freezer. Do not thaw them first, as thawing can release excess liquid. You may need a few extra minutes of baking time.
Q2: Can I use a different fruit?
Yes. Strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, or a mixed berry combination work well. Cut larger fruits into small pieces.
Q3: How do I know when the dessert is ready?
The crumble should be lightly golden, the blueberries should be bubbling around the edges, and the cream cheese layer should be mostly set.
Q4: Can I make this dessert ahead of time?
Yes. Bake it a day ahead, let it cool, and refrigerate it in a covered container until ready to serve.
Q5: How should I store leftovers?
Because this recipe contains cream cheese and egg, refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours. Store in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.
Q6: Can I freeze this blueberry bake?
Yes. Cool completely, cut into portions, and freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months for best quality. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
Q7: Can I reduce the sugar?
Yes. You can reduce the sugar slightly in the blueberry and cream cheese layers, although the dessert will taste less sweet and may have a tangier flavor.
Q8: Can I make it gluten-free?
Yes. Replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking flour blend suitable for crumble toppings. Check all ingredient labels for gluten.
Q9: Do I need to refrigerate this dessert?
Yes. The cream cheese and egg filling require refrigeration after cooling.
Q10: Can I serve it warm?
Yes. Let it cool until the filling has set, then serve slightly warm. Refrigerating it first will make the pieces easier to cut.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with a dollop of whipped cream.
- Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Sprinkle with a little powdered sugar before serving.
- Pair with coffee or tea for a sweet brunch treat.
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