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4.6 from 48 votes

Blueberry Poppy Seed Squares

Blueberry Poppy Seed Squares, a unique coffee cake in the Eastern European tradition ~ it's packed with fresh blueberries and crunchy poppy seeds on a buttery shortbread crust.  This is one unforgettable snack cake!

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
1 hr
Servings: 16 servings
Calories: 398 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Eastern European

Ingredients

crust
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp salt
streusel
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup all purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 tsp salt
filling
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 pints fresh blueberries, about 18 ounces
  • 2 Tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 Tbsp cornstarch
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
poppy seed layer
  • 1 1/2 cups ground poppy seeds, see notes below
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Set the oven to 350F
  2. Butter and flour a 9x13 pan.
  3. Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Mix in the flour and salt until just combined. Press it into the bottom of your prepared pan. Chill for 20 minutes, then bake for 12 minutes, just until it starts to turn the faintest golden. Set aside to cool.
  4. Meanwhile put the filling ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar and cornstarch. Turn down the heat and continue to boil for about 15 minutes, or until the blueberries have released their juice and the mixture has thickened a bit. Set aside to cool.
  5. Use your fingertips to mix the streusel topping together. Break up the butter into small bits to create a nice crumb. Set aside.
  6. Stir together the poppy seeds and heavy cream. Spread across the bottom of the cooled crust.
  7. Add the blueberries over the top of the poppy seeds. Top with the streusel.
  8. Bake for 40 minutes, until it is bubbling and just begging to turn golden brown along the edges. Cool and cut into 16 squares.

Notes

  • Grind poppy seeds in a coffee grinder or high speed blender like Vitamix. If you can't grind them, use them whole.
  • *Recipe lightly adapted from Saveur
  •  
  • Grind poppy seeds in a coffee grinder or high speed blender like Vitamix. If you can't grind them, use them whole.
  • One of the commenters below suggests using a rolling pin to lightly crush the seeds.
  • You could theoretically leave out the poppy seed layer and just add some to the shortbread dough and streusel for a more subtle poppy seed presence.
  • You could use any number of berries in place of the traditional blueberries.
  • Frozen berries should work fine

Nutrition Information

Calories 398kcal (20%) Carbohydrates 49g (16%) Protein 5g (10%) Fat 21g (32%) Saturated Fat 11g (55%) Polyunsaturated Fat 4g Monounsaturated Fat 5g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 48mg (16%) Sodium 118mg (5%) Potassium 150mg (4%) Fiber 4g (16%) Sugar 25g (50%) Vitamin A 584IU (12%) Vitamin C 7mg (8%) Calcium 152mg (15%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 16servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 398

% Daily Value*

Calories 398kcal 20%
Carbohydrates 49g 16%
Protein 5g 10%
Fat 21g 32%
Saturated Fat 11g 55%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4g 24%
Monounsaturated Fat 5g 25%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 48mg 16%
Sodium 118mg 5%
Potassium 150mg 3%
Fiber 4g 16%
Sugar 25g 50%
Vitamin A 584IU 12%
Vitamin C 7mg 8%
Calcium 152mg 15%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.