Yummy Blueberry Loaf Cake

I love blueberry muffins and so do my children, so what a better to please your family than making a blueberry loaf cake. It is like a giant blueberry muffin!

This is a nice simple all in one sponge recipe and also has a streusel topping, which gives it a nice crunchy texture, plus adds some sweetness against the tart blueberries.

I often make loaf cakes, as I think having a small slice of cake with a cup of the afternoon tea is a daily ritual. However, a loaf cake generates smaller slices than say a sandwich cake. So it is 'slightly' less guilt free. I just have to be disciplined to stick to the one slice ;-)

Here is the recipe, I promise it is nice and simple:

Ingredients:

Streusel topping: 

50g Plain flour
25g caster sugar
25g unsalted butter or margarine

Cake:

150g margarine
150g caster sugar (or use half caster sugar half light brown sugar for a richer colour)
200g self raising flour
2 free range eggs (beaten)
2 tbsp of whole milk
1/2 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda
150g Blueberries - fresh or frozen are fine.

* if the streusel topping doesn't appeal. You can make make the cake as it is and dust with icing sugar afterwards. Or (tried and tested) you can make a water icing with icing sugar and lemon juice and drizzle on top. To make a lemon and blueberry loaf cake! 

Method:

Preheat your oven to 160 C (fan) and line your loaf tin.

Firstly make the streusel topping. Place the flour, butter and margarine in a bowl and rub together with your finger tips until they resemble breadcrumbs. Leave to one side.

Now, make the cake:

It is an easy peasy all in one recipe. 
Sieve the flour into the bowl along with the bi carb. Then add the sugar and margarine and beaten eggs and mix well. A wooden spoon is fine, or a electric hand whisk.
When nicely mixed add the milk followed by the blueberries mixing by hand slowly. You will notice the sponge will turn purple from the blueberries if you whisk too vigorously! 
Make sure the blueberries are evenly distributed. 

Place the mix into your prepared loaf tin. Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the top of the cake. 

Now bake in the oven for 45-50 mins. It will be nicely risen and golden brown on the top when it is ready. 

You can eat warm if you like. Try and make the cake last the rest of the day. It doesn't usually in our house!