I Made Blueberry Boy Bait and It’s the Best Way to Use Fresh Blueberries

If you love a good coffee cake, this recipe for blueberry boy bait is what to bake next. Don’t let the retro name deter you—this coffee cake is the ideal treat to enjoy for breakfast, as an afternoon snack or for dessert, and it will definitely turn out to be one of your favorite blueberry dessert recipes.

This recipe produces an incredibly light, airy, buttery cake. It’s dotted with fresh blueberries for pops of flavor and has a hint of crunch on top thanks to a cinnamon-sugar topping. It’s beautifully golden and yields a large enough cake to share with family or friends.

The History of Blueberry Boy Bait

This treat dates back to the ’50s, when a 15-year-old girl won second place for it in a Pillsbury baking contest. It received its tongue-in-cheek name at that time, when she announced it was irresistible to teenage boys. Since then, it has been adapted and modern versions of the recipe have been baked time and again, including adaptations from Cook’s Country and Smitten Kitchen.

How to Make Blueberry Boy Bait

Using easy-to-find ingredients from your local store, along with fresh picked blueberries, this delicious dessert comes together in minutes. This recipe was adapted from Smitten Kitchen’s version of the vintage recipe.

Ingredients

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• 2 cups plus 1 teaspoon flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 3/4 cup fresh blueberries

Topping:

• 1/2 cup fresh blueberries
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

Step 1: Prep the dry ingredients

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 13×9-inch baking dish with cooking spray. In a separate bowl, add two cups flour, baking powder and salt. Whisk to combine and set aside.

Step 2: Cream the butter and sugars

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In a mixing bowl with a hand mixer, or the bowl of a stand mixer, cream the butter and sugars until fluffy. Mix in the eggs one at a time, scraping down the bowl as needed.

Step 3: Finish the batter and add the blueberries

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With the mixer on medium, mix in one-third of the flour mixture, half of the milk, another third of the flour mixture and the remaining milk. Mix in the remaining flour mixture.

Coat the blueberries with the teaspoon of flour. Fold the blueberries into the batter. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan.

Step 4: Add the topping and bake

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In a small bowl, mix together the cinnamon and sugar. Sprinkle the remaining blueberries over the top of the batter. Sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar mix. Bake the cake for 38 to 40 minutes until the top is golden and a tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool for 20 minutes. Serve warm.

How to Serve Blueberry Boy Bait

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This treat is best served warm after allowing it to have a bit of time to cool slightly. It can also be served at room temperature if preferred. Slice the cake and serve it on a plate on its own for breakfast or dessert. To make it even better, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream on top.

Cover any leftovers tightly with plastic wrap and keep the remaining cake at room temperature for two to three days.