It’s blueberry season! I love pie, but most nights I’m too lazy to make a pie crust. A buckle is an easy alternative: a simple cake base studded with lots of fruit and finished with an oat crumble.
This version is adapted to be oil-free, vegan, soy-free, and nut-free. It uses sugar, but you can experiment with your preferred sweetener. You can also swap the whole wheat pastry flour for a gluten-free baking mix to make the recipe gluten-free.
The method is straightforward: spread the cake batter in the pan, layer fresh blueberries on top, then crumble the oat topping over everything and bake until set.
This buckle works with almost any berry, though it’s traditionally made with blueberries. I’m planning to try a peach version next, using vanilla instead of lemon for a different flavor.
Vegan Lemon Blueberry Buckle – No Oil Added!
Kathy Hester
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour or gluten-free baking mix
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon ground flax seed mixed with 3 tablespoons warm water
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup nondairy milk
- 1/4 cup applesauce
- 1/4 teaspoon lemon oil or 1 teaspoon lemon extract
Topping Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour
- 1/4 cup sugar : vegan, coconut, or date
- 1/4 cup nondairy milk
- pinch salt
- 2 cups fresh blueberries
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9-inch square baking dish or equivalent; use a parchment lining for a completely oil-free bake.
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Whisk the dry ingredients together in a small bowl. In a separate bowl, combine the wet ingredients, including the flax-and-water mixture.
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Mix the topping ingredients in a bowl and set aside to crumble over the fruit later.
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Combine the dry ingredients with the wet until just mixed. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan, then sprinkle the blueberries over the top and press them in gently.
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Crumble the oat topping over the berries. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until a fork or toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool slightly before serving.