Berry Crisp Cake Recipe

By
María del Mar Cuadra
A headshot of Maria del Mar Cuadra, a contributing writer at Serious Eats.
María del Mar Cuadra
María del Mar Cuadra is a food stylist, recipe developer, and art director. She has written three cookbooks and worked for America's Test Kitchen.
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Updated Aug. 30, 2018
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Maria Del Mar Sacasa

Once baked, the berries sink into the cake and burst, becoming a built-in layer of fresh jam, while the crumble melts and crisps into a cookie-like crust that provides wonderful textural contrast. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or at room temperature with a cup of steaming coffee in the morning.

Recipe Details

Berry Crisp Cake Recipe

Active 30 mins
Total 2 hrs 15 mins
Serves 12 to 16 servings

Ingredients

  • For the Crisp Topping:
  • 1/2 cup (about 3 1/2 ounces) packed light brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup (about 1 2/3 ounces) all-purpose flour
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
  • 2/3 cup rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup sliced toasted almonds
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  •  
  • For the Cake:
  • Baking spray
  • 2 1/2 cups (about 12 1/2 ounces) all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup sweet white wine, such as riesling or moscato
  • 1/2 cup mascarpone cheese
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 3/4 cups (about 12 1/4 ounces) granulated sugar
  • 2 sticks (8 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest
  • 3 large eggs, at room temperature
  •  
  • For the Fruit Layer:
  • 20 ounces fresh mixed berries, such as blackberries and raspberries
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt

Directions

  1. For the Crisp Topping: In medium bowl, combine brown sugar and flour. Add butter, and with fingertips, rub together and toss until mixture resembles coarse meal. Stir in oats, almonds, and salt. Refrigerate until needed.

  2. For the Cake: Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat oven to 350°F. Coat 13- by 9-inch baking pan with baking spray.

  3. In medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In small bowl, whisk together wine, mascarpone, and vanilla until blended.

  4. Beat sugar, butter, and lemon zest on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Reduce speed to low and add flour mixture in 3 additions, alternating with wine mixture, scraping down sides and bottom of bowl with rubber spatula as needed. Scrape batter into prepared pan.

  5. For the Fruit Layer and Assembly: In large bowl, toss together berries, sugar, lemon juice and salt. Distribute berry mixture in even layer on top of cake batter. Sprinkle berries with reserved crisp topping.

  6. Bake until cake tester inserted in center of cake comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Transfer cake to cooling rack and cool to room temperature, about 1 hour.

Special equipment

Electric mixer or stand mixer, 13- by 9-inch baking dish

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