The markets are bursting with blueberries these days! That makes me very happy because not only are they yummy, they’re super healthy. Packed with antioxidants, research shows blueberries can help with anti-aging, controlling blood sugar and in muscle recovery. Use them to make jam, add a handful to your yogurt, or incorporate them in my favorite way… dessert!
I love Cynthia Guptill’s (Pahrump, NV) light and refreshing Berries and Cream Pinwheel Cake. “My best friend turns 60 today and I wanted to bake her a special cake,” explains Cynthia. “She adores strawberries and blueberries so I threw this together for her.”
The sweet and sour combination from the strawberries and blueberries is wonderful. Cynthia uses whipped cream as icing which makes this cake very light. It’s not overly sweet so pairs wonderfully with the berries.
I did make Cynthia’s cake she suggests and it was moist and delicious with the filling. But, use any white or vanilla cake recipe you prefer and the results will still be fantastic.
When a recipe is called Thank God For Berries Cake! like Barbara Heckenlively’s (Spokane, WA) is, you know it’s a dessert to make when berries are best.
“This started out as a blueberry upside down cake, but then I added a filling and made it a layer cake,” shares Barbara. “It has a heavy, moist texture, like an old fashioned, homemade shortcake.”
The whole crew adored this delicious lemon-berry cake. It’s tangy and creamy with a pop of flavor from the raspberries and blueberries. A wonderful and refreshing summertime treat!
“This my all time favorite fruit salad,” says Nadine Mesch (Mount Healthy, OH) of her Summer Fruit Salad with Mint & Limoncello recipe. “The fresh mint and the limoncello add a wonderful addition to your summer fruits… I promise you will love it.”
I did enjoy this fresh, light and satisfying recipe. It doesn’t just feature blueberries. There’s watermelon, strawberries, and cantaloupe – all fruits that are super fresh right now. The addition of limoncello gives this salad a slight lemon flavor that, when paired with the refreshing mint, is absolutely divine.
Bobbie Weiner’s (Columbus, OH) Pineapple Blueberry Chess Pie is quite the delightful summer dessert. Blueberries and pineapple aren’t things I’d think to pair together, but wow does the flavor combination work.
“I was looking for something tangy and I have always loved the texture and simplicity of a chess pie,” reveals Bobbie. “My husband loves anything pineapple and I have a love of blueberries. This pie is best served chilled and is fantabulicious on a summer day!”
If you’re not familiar with chess pie, it’s a classic Southern dessert typically made with eggs, butter, sugar, vanilla, and cornmeal. While Bobbie’s doesn’t have the cornmeal, it definitely has the custard-like texture. Make sure to let this chill for a while before cutting a slice so the custard has time to firm up.
There are a few steps in Patti Jones’ (Wrightstown, NJ) Blueberry Cream Cheese Crumb Cake, but don’t let that scare you off. It’s easy to make and scrumptious.
Patti’s blueberry crumb cake is delightful. The cake dense and slightly sweet. There’s a great surprise when you bite in and taste the cream cheese and blueberries in the middle. The crumb topping adds a little crunch. This is great if you don’t like overly sweet desserts.
Besides our Blue Ribbon, Patti shared she won 2nd price at the Burlington County Farm Fair in New Jersey with this recipe. Go Patti!
Hopefully one of these blueberry dessert recipes will inspire you to head to the market, pick up some blueberries and get baking. If you do, don’t forget to share the recipe. Happy Pinching!