Musings: Hoarding Pays Off

I'm sure I've mentioned this before but it's worth repeating, I love collecting recipes. I've talked about my large stash of cooking magazines and cookbooks, but I also have a large file box stuffed with magazine clippings, printouts, and handwritten notes. I'd like to say I have them sorted into categories and that I was very organized, but alas no, that would be lying. I'll often find a recipe that catches my imagination but the timing is all wrong - it's a Christmas recipe and I find it in the middle of June, or it's a recipe for a large group of people and I have a dinner party for 4 planned. So I file it away for later use. Every few months when I'm looking for something new to try, I'll fish out my file box and see if anything gets my attention.

I was searching for a new dessert recipe the other day for a quick dinner I had cobbled together for some friends. It was a trade - we'll feed you dinner, if you come over to help us with our bathroom remodeling project. I was looking for something quick and relatively easy because I knew I didn't have much time beforehand, so I'd be making it on the spot. I came across a recipe I'd picked up when we went to Maine a few years ago. I'll be honest, it was the name of the recipe that grabbed my attention at first. How can you resist a charmingly old fashioned dessert named Blueberry Buckle? The only thing missing from my pantry were the blueberries and ice cream, so it seemed like a perfect choice.

This dessert is very simple and can be prepared before dinner, then just put in the oven to bake while you're eating the main course. When served warm, the sponge bottom is like a pillow for the delicate blueberries dusted with a cinnamon kissed streusel topping. When cooled it becomes more like a delicious blueberry crumb cake.

Now the only question I keep asking myself is why did I wait so long to try making the Buckle? It was a real crowd pleaser and sure to be a regular in our house from now on. It would be a great dessert to take to a potluck dinner or if you're having a picnic because it will transport well once it's baked. It's also one of those desserts that can easily be doubled if you're feeding a large group.

So, the next time you've got people coming over for dinner and need something delicious and easy for dessert, try making a Blueberry Buckle, I'm sure you and your guests will love it. As for me, I'm going to keep rifling through my recipe clippings to find some more gems to share.