Blueberry Crunch Recipe
Blueberry Crunch is a dessert that features a simple crumble on top of baked blueberry pie filling. It’s a very simple recipe with 4 ingredients, and is often enjoyed enjoyed warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. The “crunch” refers to the texture of the topping, which is buttery and crispy, baked on top of the blueberries.
We’ve been making this Blueberry Crunch Recipe for 30+ years! I say, put it on your regular baking list for desserts, because it’s not only popular for dinner guests, it’s a great 9×13 desser to bring to a potluck or to serve to last-minute company! If you love blueberries like we do, give our Best Blueberry Cobbler a try. It has a nice thick crust on top of the baked berries.
Some call this dessert a dump cake,” because it involves a few ingredients (and a cake mix). Our family has always made Cherry Crunch Dessert. That is … up until now–we love the blueberry filling!
Ingredients needed to make Blueberry Crunch Recipe
Blueberry filing: The base is typically made with a couple cans of blueberry pie filling. You can find this in most grocery stores, and in various flavors like apple, lemon, strawberry, and the most popular is cherry.
Crunch topping: This layer is the “crunch” part and is made with a white cake mix, butter, and nuts. Yes, it’s that simple! We use macadamia nuts for this recipe, but you can use any crunchy nuts like pecans or almonds for added texture and flavor.
Serving: Serving this dessert warm is the best ever! We love vanilla ice cream (thus, the pictures), but fresh whipped cream is also delicious. I say “fresh” but of course you can also grab a can of whipped cream from the grocery store. It’s not quite as good as fresh whipped!
How do you make Blueberry Crunch Recipe?
- Preheat oven to 350. Lightly grease a 9×13 pan.
- Spread the blueberry filling in the pan.
- Mix together the cake mix, melted butter, and toasted chopped nuts. Sprinkle over the blueberry filling.
- Bake for 40-50 minutes or until brown on top.
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream!
Sandy’s tips and substitutions:
- Use your favorite pie filling – cherry, lemon, apple, raspberry, or strawberry.
- Optional to swap out the white cake mix for a yellow cake mix. Really mix it up and use a chocolate cake mix. It’s great!
- Not a macadamia nut fan? Use any nuts, like chopped almonds, pecans, or walnuts.
- Make ahead and freeze. Defrosting it will make the pie filling a bit more runny though.
- Store leftovers on the counter for up to 3 days!
Serving
Oh, this dessert is the best served warm with ice cream. You can try a variety of ice creams as well, or make fresh whipped cream.
Think dessert makes the best “Fourth of July” dessert. It’s great to make ahead. Perfect for company. Everyone’s favorite to bring to a party, picnic, or gathering. And it’s always first to be devoured – completely! You may even see a person licking the 9×13 pan. HA. We love this served in the summer with burgers, Grinder Pasta Salad, and Pine Nut Avocado Salad.
How do you make fresh whipped cream?
Start with 1 cup of heavy whipping cream. With a hand mixer, mix it on high for about 3-5 minutes until it starts to get thick. Add about 1/4 cup of powdered sugar and 1 tsp of vanilla – gently mix.
The whipped cream can be made ahead and stored in the fridge until ready to serve with a dessert. Take a large spoon and add it to the dessert and enjoy!
More blueberry desserts to try while you are here:
Get the Recipe:
Blueberry Crunch Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 21 oz cans blueberry pie filling
- 1 box white cake mix, dry
- ½ cup butter, melted
- ¾ cup macadamia nuts, toasted and chopped
- Whipped cream or ice cream, optional
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350. Lightly grease a 9×13 pan.
- Spread the blueberry filling in the pan.
- Mix together the cake mix, melted butter, and toasted chopped nuts. Sprinkle over the blueberry filling.
- Bake for 40-50 minutes or until brown on top.
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream!
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I’m Sandy—lover of food, family, cooking, THE BIG BOARD, travel, and bringing people together. Through great recipes and connection around the table, we become better, stronger, and more courageous people. Feasting on Life is real, and every time we do it, we grow a little more. Read more...
Delicious!! This is my go-to dish for holiday get-togethers and everyone loves it and begs me to bring it back! Also made it as a “thank you “ for my new neighbors and they loved it, too! For some reason, canned blueberries have been unavailable in my area so I use canned cherries which is amazing. Thanks for another yummy recipe .
Could you use yellow cake mix instead?
I have a pumpkin dump that you pour yellow cake mix over pumpkin and then pour melted butter over top.
Would it work the same with fruit?
Yes, you can use yellow cake mix! It might have a little different flavor, but I bet it’s delish!
Can this be made in a smaller glass “casserole dish”, and would the baking time be affected at all? Thank you!
I am thinking you can 1/2 this recipe in a 8×8 pan, but I haven’t tried it. Baking time would be pretty close to the same.
Can you use walnuts and can they be untoasted? Can any canned fruit be used?
Yes, you can use walnuts! I’ve used canned cherries!
Which do you prefer? Ice Cream or Whip Cream making this for a church pot luck.
If it’s served warm, ice cream. If not, whipped cream!
could i make this without the nuts? could you please send me back an e-mail with your answer? Thanking you in advance.
Yes, Carol, you can make this recipe with no nuts!
Can you make this without the nuts?
Yes, you can make this recipe with NO nuts!
Can you make this using fresh blackberries?
Hi, Robin. This recipe needs the “canned” fruit, that is a little moister for the combination. If you want to use fresh fruit, google (or search on my blog) any of my bluberry cobbler or blackberry cobbler recipes and make those. You can use fresh or frozen berries in those recipes!
Can’t wait to make this! One question, do you use salted or unsalted macadamia nuts? Thanks.
Either works!
Is the butter melted or soft? Recipe is not clear how the butter is used.
Either works. I usually melt it first.
Looks delicious! What should I do if I want to use (frozen) Maine blueberries instead of pie filling?
Thanks!
Hi, Patricia. I haven’t tried frozen in this recipe. Come back and tell me how it turned out!
You would need to make an actual pie filling by cooking the berries with a little water and sugar and thickening with corn starch (and add a little lemon juice).