Gluten-Free Blueberry Buckle

This gluten-free blueberry crumble is the perfect combination of vanilla cake, fresh juicy blueberries, and a crispy, sugary crumble topping! Honestly, I love this dish for brunch, topped with a bit of homemade whipped cream. But of course, it shines as a dessert, paired with homemade ice cream, making dreams come true!

Blueberry Crumble was a staple in my house growing up—my mom’s favorite recipe, which she would make every June (blueberry season) after our annual blueberry picking extravaganza. I have loved transforming a family favorite desserts, into a gluten-free dessert that is such a beautiful blueberry cake with crisp topping – no one ever thinks it’s gluten free!

The Best Gluten Free Blueberry Buckle (SO easy!)

Why You Will Love This Recipe:

Simple Ingredients: Made with pantry staples and fresh blueberries. It makes for an easy dessert with basic ingredients!
Versatile: Great for brunch or dessert.
Nostalgic: Brings back memories of family traditions.
Delicious: The combination of sweet, tart, and buttery flavors is irresistible.

Ingredients Needed:

Cake:

Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour (I use my all purpose blend)
Baking Powder
Guar Gum (omit if your flour blend already contains a binder)
Potato Starch (omit if using a different flour blend)
Salt
Butter (room temp)
Sugar
Egg
Milk
Vanilla Extract
Fresh or Frozen Blueberries (tossed in a bit of fresh lemon juice, or lemon zest)

Crumble:

Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour (You can use half flour, flour gluten free oats)
Coconut Sugar or Brown Sugar
Cinnamon
Butter (chilled and cubed)

Instructions:

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×9 or 8×8 pie pan.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, guar gum, potato starch and salt.
Cream Butter and Sugar: In a stand mixer using a paddle attachment, beat the butter for 30 seconds. Add sugar and continue working the mix until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
Add Wet Ingredients: Add the egg to the stand mixer and combine. Then, alternating, add the milk and the dry ingredients to the stand mixer, mixing slowly to incorporate. Add in the vanilla, mix just to combine.
Layer Batter and Blueberries: Spoon the batter into the prepared baking dish and layer the blueberries on top.
Prepare the Crumble: In a separate bowl, prep the crumble. Combine the flour, sugar, and cinnamon, then cut in the butter with a pastry blender or by hand until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle atop the blueberries.
Bake: Pop the pie pan into the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes.
Cool and Serve: Let the crumble cool for 15 minutes before serving. If you’re feeling especially fancy, top with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

Storage:

Place any leftovers in an airtight container or cover the pie pan with plastic wrap. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Simply reheat in the oven or microwave to enjoy warm again.

Perfect Pairings:

Homemade Whipped Cream: Whisk together 1 cup of heavy cream, 1 tsp vanilla, and 1 tsp sugar until soft peaks form. Dollop on top of the crumble to serve!
Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream: (or store-bought will do). My family’s homemade ice cream recipe is coming soon! A scoop of ice cream is perfection on a summer night!
Afternoon Coffee Break: A perfect treat with your afternoon coffee or tea.

More About This Recipe:

This blueberry crumble is a delightful combination of textures and flavors. The soft, moist vanilla cake base is the perfect canvas for the juicy burst of blueberries, while the crumble topping adds a satisfying crunch and sweetness. It’s a dish that’s easy to make yet feels special and indulgent.

Tips and Tricks:

Use Fresh or Frozen Blueberries: Both work well in this recipe. If using frozen, there’s no need to thaw them before adding to the batter.
Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure the butter is at room temperature to achieve the best creaming consistency with the sugar. All room temperature ingredients for the cake, yields the best results!
Cutting in the Butter: If you don’t have a pastry blender, you can use two knives or your fingers to cut the butter into the flour mixture for the crumble.
Gluten-Free Flour Blends: While I recommend my own gluten-free flour blend, other reputable brands like Bob’s Red Mill or King Arthur Flour can also be used. Just check if they contain a binder like guar gum or xanthan gum and adjust accordingly.
Seasonal Fruit: You can swap out the blueberries for seasonal fruit based on the time of year, like apples in the fall!

Memories of Blueberry Picking:

One of my fondest childhood memories is of the annual blueberry picking trips with my family. We’d wake up early on a June morning, drive to the local farm, and spend hours picking the plumpest, juiciest blueberries we could find. The sun would be warm on our backs, and our fingers would be stained blue by the end of the day. Those fresh-picked blueberries would become the star of so many summer recipes, but the blueberry crumble was always the favorite. My mom would bake it that very evening, and the whole house would fill with the sweet, comforting aroma of baking blueberries and buttery crumble.

Customizing Your Crumble:

Feel free to get creative with this recipe! Here are a few ideas to customize your blueberry crumble:

Add Nuts: Incorporate chopped walnuts or pecans into the crumble topping for an extra crunch.
Mix Fruits: Combine blueberries with other fruits like raspberries, blackberries, or peaches for a mixed berry crumble.
Spices: Add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the cake batter for a warm, spiced flavor.

Serving Suggestions:

This gluten-free blueberry crumble is incredibly versatile. Serve it as a comforting breakfast treat, a delightful brunch addition, or a show-stopping dessert. For brunch, it pairs wonderfully with a fresh fruit salad and a mimosa. As a dessert, a scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream makes it truly irresistible.

Final Thoughts:

There’s something magical about a well-made blueberry crumble. It’s a dish that brings people together, evoking memories of family, tradition, and the joy of sharing delicious food. Whether you’re making it for a special occasion or just because you have a craving for something sweet and comforting, this gluten-free blueberry crumble is sure to become a favorite in your home, just as it has in mine. Happy baking, and enjoy every scrumptious bite! It’s such a great recipe!

Check out the recipe card below!