Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Mini Blueberrry Cakes and Good News

Oh, ain't life grand? I've got a little spring in my step since I had a spot of good news this week. I've been invited to participate in the National Cornbread Cooking Festival in Tennessee next month. Do any of you live near South Pittsburg, TN? I'd love to see you there. I'll be making an Italian Four Cheese and Sausage Lover's Pie and hoping to impress the judges for a crack at the $5000 prize. I doubt I have much of a chance since I know a few of the other competitors, and they are seriously talented cooks. Still, I'm honored to even be invited, to be able to attend the fun festival and hopefully meet one or two of you. Good news calls for a sweet celebration of sorts, like this homey little blueberry cake. How convenient that I always need to celebrate just in time for my baking assignment with Tuesdays with Dorie. Greenspan doesn't specifically classify this charmer as a coffee cake, but it has brunchish leanings. Still, we gobbled it for dessert and would have been very pleased to have it for breakfast also. Had there been any leftovers, that is. I made a half batch (using half whole wheat, too) and it fit perfectly in three little 10 ounce ramekins. The warm cakes emerged moist and tender, polka dotted with blueberries. Mine were frozen blueberries, and they worked out beautifully. Feeling frugal still, I traded the walnuts in the topping with oatmeal. The buttery crumb topping makes these little blueberry cakes extra special. This is one I'll be making again, whether I need a reason to celebrate or not!
For the recipe, head over to Sihan's fun and pretty blog. You'll be able to turn out a half batch for around $3.00.Up Next:
20 minute Dinner: Patty Melts with Honey Balsamic Onions

38 comments:

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

Loooovely cakes.


Ahh so exciting!! Too bad I'm not in Tennessee though :-(

chocolatechic said...

Gorgeous.

I should have put mine in ramekins.

Marjie said...

They look adorable! Don't you just love foods in little mini containers, so you get your own? You must know what I'm talking about, coming from the large family as you do.

I used to live in Tennessee, but no longer...sorry!

Anne said...

Congrats Prudy- that's awesome! I'm sure you'll do great. Your little cakes look delicious, too!

Marthe said...

These look soooo cute! Great idea to use ramekins!

Katrina said...

Love the little mini cakes! This was a great cake. I thought of just adding oats (and walnuts), should have, but still delicious!

gigi said...

That's exciting to travel again. This should help with your wanderlust! And winning would sure help with your goal to get to Ireland :) Good luck!

Just love crumb cakes and blueberries.

Sihan said...

First time I've seen them in ramekins. Looks gorgeous. Like special little presents!

Jersey Girl Cooks said...

Now who wouldn't love these? CONGRATS on cornbread. It looks like such a fun cook off and a bunch of other sweet ladies are going. Good luck!

Babs Renouf said...

I had mine with a dab of vanilla ice cream, a drop or two of chocolate sauce....could have licked the bowl clean if I hadn't eaten every crumb.Delicious!!Babs

Michal said...

oooh. i want those for breakfast. right. now.

wish i could come to tennessee with you. your recipe sounds fab (i'm not surprised) and i'm sure you have a great chance at that $5000 grand prize.

Catherine said...

Congrats on the cornbread festival! I think you have a shot at that $5000 prize because you're a pretty amazing cook yourself! =) Your mini blueberry cakes looks adorable and delicious, I gotta get my hands on some ramekins!

Dr. Mom said...

Congrats on going to the cornbread festival! I hope you win! I live in Franklin, Tennessee which is about two hours north of where you will be. You will be near Chattanooga and the mountains. Check out the aquarium there if you get a chance. It is really great.

Erin said...

Wow- those look amazing!

Emily Rose said...

Prudy! My husband grew up in South Pittsburg- it is a VERY small town, but has plenty of rural Southern charm! We went to college in Sewanee which is about 20 min. away from S.P. You are in for a treat- the setting is absolutely breathtaking, especially this time of year when all of the wildflowers are blooming! You'll have to let me know what you think of it! I loved the blueberry cake too!

Coleens Recipes said...

These look fabulous! The only thing its missing is a nice swirl of whipped cream LOL. Congrats on the invitation.

Patsyk said...

That is good news! Good luck, I'm sure it will be fun as I've heard thats a fun competition to be a part of!

Those mini cakes look so cute! My hubby would love them!

Kerstin said...

Good luck at the contest - your recipe sounds yummy!

Cristine said...

Congrats on the invite to the festival! I bet you'll do awesome!!!

And your cake looks yummy! I love the idea of cooking it in ramekins!

Mary Ann said...

I guess I must have been thinking of you- I did half the recipe and subbed half whole wheat too. They look so cute in the little ramekins.
I like how you subbed in oats too.
What a fun trip! I love Tennessee. Good luck!

The Blonde Duck said...

Congrats! I'm so excited for you! I'm sure you'll win.

And come by the Pond. We miss you there.

And by next month, Miss Pickles will be a book!

Engineer Baker said...

Congrats! What an exciting opportunity! Oh, and I love the mini cakes - they puffed up so nicely.

Amanda said...

Yours looks so good! We loved this cake :)

Anonymous said...

Very cute cakes...this was such a tasty recipe.
Good luck!

Satisfying my Sweet Tooth said...

Congratulations! That is so exciting and will be so much fun! Best of luck and can't wait to hear all about the competition and recipes.

Your blueberry cake looks delicious too. Love the ramekin idea!

Anonymous said...

Hi Erin.. been thinking of you lately.. hope you are well darling!

These look absolutely marvelous, are those ramekins?

Andrea at Nummy Kitchen said...

Congratulations on getting invited to the cornbread festival! I am a huge cornbread fan and would just love to be a taste tester there :)

Your blueberry cakes look perfect, and I love that you used oatmeal in the topping, sound extra homey and comforting!

Welcome to our crazy blessed life said...

Love your cute little cakes! :) Congrats on being invited to TN. We'll wave at you as you pass Nashville.

Maria said...

That is great news! Have fun in TN and good luck. I know you will be fabulous!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! I'm sure you'll do great!

~Delta Whiskey

Anonymous said...

Just had to stop and say congrats on the festival. I'll be rooting for you!

Flourchild said...

Great idea to use your ramekins..I love it! This recipe was so good!

Pamela said...

Congrats on the invite to the festival and GOOD LUCK! The mini cakes look fabulous.

danielandjamaica said...

Mmmm. I got the 411 on your blog at violin lessons the other day and it all looks SO good. I've got some cookies that I want to make you and West for playing at the Festival, but need to run into you at your lessons... and now I know I'd better make them extra yummy! Good luck in TN, I can't wait to see how it goes!

Mary Bergfeld said...

Erin, best of luck in Tennesse. I'll be thinking of you.

Sophie said...

That sounds like a fun contest! I love cornbread, can never get enough. Your little cakes are very cute :).

Unknown said...

Congrats on your good news! Great job on the mini cakes - they look delicious!

Aunt Spicy said...

Congrats! If I didn't have a work trip (in Germany, yahoo!) I would take a little road trip to come see you!