Nectarine and Berry Buckle
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Bring a taste of summer to your table with this Nectarine and Berry Buckle. Juicy nectarines, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries are baked into a light, fluffy cake, then topped with a sweet, crunchy cinnamon topping; a dollop of whipped cream adds the perfect finishing touch.
I love desserts like this. Give me a cobbler, crisp, crumble, or buckle, and I’m happy. Top it with ice cream or whipped cream, and I’m in heaven. Lately, I’ve been on a nectarine kick, so baking them into something special felt like the perfect idea. That’s how this Nectarine and Berry Buckle came to be.
Served warm with a dollop of whipped cream, it’s a cozy, comforting, and unmistakably summer dessert. The soft cake swirled with fresh berries and nectarines is a match made in heaven. And that topping, my goodness, I want it on everything. It’s simple, but the cinnamon sweetness and light crunch it brings to the table are just perfect. If you’re looking for a dessert to make, this one’s a must-try. I think you’re going to love it as much as I do.
Why You’ll Enjoy This Recipe
- This buckle is the perfect blend of fruit and cake. Buttery batter surrounds juicy nectarines and sweet berries, giving you the comfort of homemade cake with the brightness of fresh summer fruit.
- The topping is irresistible. Cinnamon-scented crumbs melt into the fruit and cake as they bake, adding a light crunch and hint of spice you’ll want on every fruit dessert.
- It’s easy to switch up the fruit. Swap nectarines and berries for peaches, cherries, or whatever’s in season so you can enjoy it all year long.
Ingredients
Before I walk you through the recipe for this fruity buckle, let’s gather up all the ingredients you’ll need to make this dessert.
- all-purpose flour – Provides structure for both the cake and the crumb topping, helping everything bake up light yet sturdy.
- brown sugar – Adds sweetness with a hint of molasses, giving the topping a deeper, richer flavor.
- ground cinnamon – Brings a warm, cozy spice that pairs perfectly with the sweet fruit.
- butter – Used in both the topping and the batter for richness, tenderness, and a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- sugar – Sweetens the batter and enhances the natural flavor of the fruit.
- eggs – Give the cake structure and help create a soft, tender crumb.
- vanilla extract – Adds a warm, fragrant flavor that complements the fruit and spice.
- baking powder – Helps the cake rise so it’s light and fluffy.
- salt – Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors in the dessert.
- milk – Adds moisture to the batter for a smooth, tender texture.
- blueberries – Juicy bursts of sweetness that bake beautifully into the cake.
- nectarines – The star of the show, bringing a sweet, slightly tangy flavor and a pop of sunny color.
- raspberries – Add bright, tart notes that keep the dessert from feeling too sweet.
- blackberries – Provide a deep, jammy flavor that pairs beautifully with the other berries and nectarines.
- Whipped cream – A light, creamy topping that’s the perfect finishing touch for serving (or you can use ice cream). If needed, you can use my recipe for homemade whipped cream.
How To Make
And with all of our ingredients assembled, I think we’re ready to make this Nectarine and Berry Buckle! I’ll walk you through the steps below. I’ve also provided a full ingredient list and instructions in the printable recipe card below.
- To make the topping, combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a small bowl. Whisk to blend, then cut in the butter until the mixture is crumbly. Set aside.
- For the batter, in a large bowl, cream the butter and 3/4 cup sugar until light and fluffy, about five minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add this to the creamed mixture alternately with the milk, beating well after each addition. Set aside 3/4 cup of the batter.
- Fold the blueberries into the remaining batter.
- Spoon the blueberry batter into the prepared baking dish. Arrange the nectarines on top and sprinkle with the remaining tablespoon of sugar. Drop the reserved batter by teaspoonfuls over the nectarines. Sprinkle with the raspberries, blackberries, and prepared topping.
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- Bake at 350°F for 35 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Serve warm with whipped cream.
If you can even handle waiting for this to cool, it will be a miracle. Ha! Serve warm with homemade whipped cream and get ready to indulge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to peel the nectarines?
Peeling the nectarines gives the dessert a softer texture, but you can leave the skins on if you prefer. The skins will soften as they bake and add a bit of extra color.
How should I store leftovers?
Cover the cooled buckle and store it in the refrigerator for up to three days. For the best texture, reheat slices in the oven to crisp up the topping before serving.
Can I change the fruit combination?
Absolutely. This recipe works well with peaches, cherries, plums, or any combination of berries. Just keep the total amount of fruit the same to ensure proper baking.
More Fruity Baked Desserts You’ll Love
If you’ve never made a buckle before, this is a great one to start with. The recipe is straightforward and easy to follow. I know you’re going to be adding this Nectarine and Berry Buckle to your yearly summer baking list. Once you make it, I’d love to know what you think. Please stop back and leave a comment and a 5-star rating below.
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Nectarine and Berry Buckle
Ingredients
Topping:
- 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 6 tablespoons cold butter
Batter:
- 6 tablespoons butter softened
- 3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar divided
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1 pound nectarines peeled, sliced, and patted dry
- 1/2 cup fresh raspberries
- 1/2 cup fresh blackberries
- Homemade whipped cream for serving
Instructions
- Line a 9×13-inch pan with baking paper and spray with baking spray. Set aside.
- To make the topping, combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a small bowl. Whisk to blend, then cut in the butter until the mixture is crumbly. Set aside.
- For the batter, in a large bowl, cream the butter and 3/4 cup sugar until light and fluffy, about five minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add this to the creamed mixture alternately with the milk, beating well after each addition. Set aside 3/4 cup of the batter.
- Fold the blueberries into the remaining batter.
- Spoon the blueberry batter into the prepared baking dish. Arrange the nectarines on top and sprinkle with the remaining tablespoon of sugar. Drop the reserved batter by teaspoonfuls over the nectarines. Sprinkle with the raspberries, blackberries, and prepared topping.
- Bake at 350°F for 35 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Serve warm with whipped cream.