I’ve been a bit under the weather. I don’t enjoy being tied down to the bed so it was not the best of times for me. I love standing on my two feet even if it means standing long hours without a break so this was a kind of situation-imposed rest from which I was desperate to recover. Not being able to bake or photograph or shop for ingredients can affect me in a big way and I was really looking forward to some baking action.
Finally I did. After a whole week.
As it turns out, this is my 100th post. I’ve been slow that way. Taking a little over a year to reach here while also enjoying every bit of this journey. So it goes without saying that this had to be a cake post. I would have loved to do a fancy one with a few candles but honestly I didn’t have the stamina to do so. This crumble cake has been on my mind since months…I wanted to use pistachios in a crumble cake and I had pictured this rustic blue-green pairing so clearly in my mind that I could hardly wait for the cake to finish baking. I was almost certain the cake would look the way it did.
This is the kind of cake I enjoy baking and eating. Simple yet satisfying. There’s something so gorgeous about a crumble cake. Especially if the base is as moist and soft as this one. So many textures with each mouthful…almost like eating a cake and cookie together. And juicy blueberries tying the two layers together.
I blitzed the pistachios in the food processor in a way so as to keep a mix of finely ground as well as coarser crumbs in the crumble. They taste and look better. Any other nut would work just as well. Or any other berry in the cake.
Blueberry Pistachio Crumble Cake
Serves 10-12
Melted butter, to grease
200g butter, room temperature
3/4 cup castor sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla essence
2 eggs, room temperature
1 cup self-raising flour
1 cup plain flour
3/4 cup milk
200g blueberries fresh or frozen (I used fresh)
Crumble Topping
1/2 cup plain flour
50 g butter, chilled and chopped into cubes
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup pistachios, skinned and ground to a coarse powder in the food processor
Preheat oven to 180 degrees C. Brush a round 20 cm spring form pan with melted butter to lightly grease. Line the base with non-stick baking paper. Place the prepared pan on a baking tray.
Using an electric mixer or with a hand mixer, beat the butter, sugar and vanilla until pale and creamy. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Use a large metal spoon to fold in the combined flour and the milk until well combined.
Spoon into the prepared pan. Use the back of the spoon to smooth the surface. Arrange the blueberries on the top.
To make the crumble topping, place all the ingredients in a bowl. Use your fingertips to rub the butter into the mixture until the mixture contains large and small crumbs.
Sprinkle the crumble topping over the blueberry layer. Bake in oven for 1 hour 10 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Set aside in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool slightly. Serve cake warm or at room temperature
Nava Krishnan says
I don’t like it either: being in bed. But that hardly happens because I still have to continue with housework. The cake is gorgeous and yes, perfect with tea or coffee.
Whatjessicabakednext says
The cake looks amazing! I love the combination of flavours!
Coffee and Crumpets says
I love crumble cakes, or streusel coffee cakes as we call them here. I like the pistachios in this crumble, makes a change from the usual nut! This cake really goes well with a cup of coffee or tea! I hope you are feeling better, my dear. There is nothing more frustrating than being tied to a bed, believe me I know. Take care of yourself xx
Denise Browning@From Brazil To You says
WOW!!! What a gorgeous crumble cake, Sonali! I think we should live close to each other…I would enjoy having tea time with you and your wonderful creations.
Evelyne@cheapethniceatz says
Blueberries and pistachios in one cake, I am sold. Happy 100th post and hope you are feeling much better.
deepti says
Beautifully baked and yes love the different textures involved in the making… looking for more wonderful recipes like this in the future… happy 100th post!
Abbe@This is How I Cook says
Hope you are feeling better, but I believe this cake would make me feel mighty fine! I love the crumble and the pistachios and the blueberries. Well, I just love this cake. And 100 in a year is pretty, pretty good!
Monica says
Kudos for hitting 100! : ) This is a lovely cake – you are so right about there being something special about a cake like this – gorgeously browned and delicious. I have an urge to pluck off that topping right away to devour but I know the rest is sensational too. It looks just divine.
Juliana says
I hope you are feeling better by now Sonali…this cake looks gorgeous…like that is loaded with blueberries and pistachio on the topping…great with a cup of tea or coffee.
Have a nice week dear 😀
Choc Chip Uru says
I love your crumble cakes, they look delicious, happy 100 😀
I wish I was there sharing a slice!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
David Crichton says
What a perfect cake. Fruit and crunchy crumble topping all in one.
laurasmess says
Crumble cakes are my absolute favourite kind! Love the look of that beautiful glistening fruit against the golden clusters of pistachio crumb. YUM! I seriously want some of this with a dollop of double cream xx