Fix this lemon blueberry buckle for dessert ... or breakfast

A rustic dish dating back to early America, the buckle is a simple cake studded with fruit, usually berries. Sometimes the fruit is folded into the batter before baking, sometimes it’s sprinkled over the top.

Make the most of the summer blueberries available right now with this recipe, which combines the fresh berries with lemon and a touch of nutmeg in a buttermilk-based cake. The dish is topped with a sweet crumb topping. It makes a great dessert, a warm slice topped with a scoop of ice cream. But it also makes an incredible breakfast, that is, if you have any leftover.

LEMON BLUEBERRY BUCKLE

Total time: 1 hour, 15 minutes | Serves 6 to 8

Note: Adapted from “Rustic Fruit Desserts” by Cory Schreiber and Julie Richardson.

CRUMB TOPPING

1/2 cup flour

1/3 cup sugar

1/8 teaspoon salt

Zest of 1 lemon

1/4 cup ( 1/2 stick) butter, cubed, at room temperature

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, salt and lemon zest. Add the butter, using a fork or your fingers to cut in the butter until it is reduced to the size of peas. Loosely cover the bowl, and place it in the freezer while you mix the cake batter.

CAKE AND ASSEMBLY

6 tablespoons butter, at room temperature, plus extra for greasing the pan

1 1/2 cups plus 2 tablespoons flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

3/4 cup plus 1/3 cup sugar, divided

Zest of 1 lemon

2 eggs

1/2 cup buttermilk

2 cups blueberries, fresh or frozen, divided

Crumb topping, chilled

Juice of 2 lemons (about 6 tablespoons)

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9-inch square baking pan.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and nutmeg.

3. In the bowl of a stand mixer, or in a large bowl with a hand mixer, cream together the butter, three-fourths cup sugar and lemon zest until light and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, scraping down the sides of the bowl after each addition.

4. Stir the flour mixture into the bowl, a third at a time, alternating with the buttermilk, until both the flour mixture and buttermilk are evenly incorporated into the batter. Gently fold 1 cup of the blueberries into the batter.

5. Spread the batter into the prepared pan and distribute the remaining blueberries evenly over the top of the batter. Remove the crumb topping from the freezer and sprinkle it over the berries.

6. Bake the cake until it is lightly golden and firm on top, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 45 to 50 minutes. Rotate the pan halfway through for even baking.

7. While the cake is baking, make a lemon syrup: In a small saucepan, combine the remaining one-third cup sugar with the lemon juice and whisk until blended. Heat the pan over medium-low heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the liquid thickens to a syrupy consistency, 6 to 8 minutes. (The glaze will bubble while cooking and may need to be removed from the heat to check that it is the proper consistency.) Remove from heat and set aside in a warm place.

8. Remove the cake from the oven and drizzle the warm glaze over. Cool to room temperature. The cake will keep at room temperature for 2 to 3 days, covered in plastic wrap.

Each of 8 servings: 436 calories; 6 grams protein; 69 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams fiber; 16 grams fat; 10 grams saturated fat; 92 mg. cholesterol; 319 mg. sodium.

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