I Tried Blueberry Boy Bait, and I'm Glad I'm Single So I Don't Have to Share

The internet adores a recipe love story. Take the iconic Engagement Chicken, which became a phenomenon after appearing in a 1982 edition of Glamour magazine, after one editor’s boyfriend proposed soon after savoring the recipe. Or consider the stream of “marry me” recipes. It all started in 2016 with a skillet chicken dinner idea with a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce. The purportedly proposal-inducing remixes now range from Marry Me Chicken Soup to Marry Me Chicken Pasta Salad to Marry Me Chicken Pasta.

My latest discovery in this curious culinary category: Blueberry Boy Bait. Dating back to 1954, this vintage cake recipe is from the imagination of 15-year-old Renny Powell, who entered this in the junior division of the Pillsbury Grand National Recipe and Baking Contest. (That competition has since been renamed to the Pillsbury Bake-Off). 

I’m not sure if Renny found a partner by sharing a slice, but I do know she took home second place and $2,000 for her sweet, berry-studded cake recipe. Plus, Renny earned the opportunity to share her formula in a Pillsbury cookbook, which is where I found the recipe for Blueberry Boy Bait. With a name like that, of course I had to try it.

How to Make Blueberry Boy Bait

After word got out about Renny’s runner-up recipe, creative home bakers ranging from Allrecipes fans to James Beard staff to cookbook author and Smitten Kitchen creator Deb Perelman have put their own stamp on this “bait.” I couldn’t resist sticking with the original, though, which I found on the R/OldRecipes Reddit thread. 

There, a user shared a photo of their cake along with a snapshot from a page in the 1968 edition of Pillsbury's Bake Off Dessert Cook Book. Here’s how to make the recipe:

1. Make the batter. In a large bowl, mix all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, softened butter, milk, and eggs. Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, combine on low until the dry ingredients are moist, then adjust to medium and mix for 3 minutes. 
2. Add the topping. Pour the cake into a greased 9- x 13-inch pan. Scatter blueberries across the top, then finish by sprinkling a handful of cinnamon-sugar over the batter.
3. Bake and enjoy. Bake in a 350° F oven for about 45 minutes, or until the cake springs back when pressed in the center. Slice into squares and serve warm with whipped cream or ice cream, if desired.

Tips for Making Boy Bait

Asking for a single bowl and about 10 minutes of prep time, this is a seriously easy cake recipe. That means it’s a cinch to master and give your own twist. Here are a few variations to try, along with a couple of pointers from our Test Kitchen.

• Flex your fruits. When fresh blueberries aren’t in season, feel free to swap in frozen. Or use fresh or frozen raspberries, halved pitted cherries, blackberries, or quartered strawberries if you prefer.
• Avoid purple batter. If you’d like as much color contrast as possible between the fruit and the cake, steal 1 to 2 Tbsp. of flour from the 2 cups called for in the batter. This should create enough of a dry barrier to reduce the amount of color “bleeding.” 
• Go nuts. For a hint of nutty flavor and textural contrast amidst the light, buttery cake batter and the juicy berries, consider customizing the batter with a handful of chopped toasted pecans or walnuts.
• Freshen up. Our friends at Southern Living suggest perking up the batter with lemon or orange zest.
• Give this a semi-homemade spin. The cake doesn’t take long to make from scratch. Still, if you find yourself very short on time—or perhaps without one of the key ingredients—feel free to start with boxed cake mix. Follow the package instructions to turn the dry ingredients into a batter. Then all that’s left to do is finish it with a crown of fruit and cinnamon-sugar.
• Try streusel instead of cinnamon-sugar. Cinnamon-sugar lends loads of warm, sweet flavor, but not a lot of texture. If you’d like a little more substance to your topping, skip the sugar shower and swap in a simple homemade streusel instead. For a crumbly, baking spice-scented topping, try this combo inspired by our Pumpkin Latte Coffee Cake: In a medium bowl, combine ½ cup packed brown sugar, ⅓ cup rolled oats, ¼ cup all-purpose flour, and ½ teaspoon cinnamon. Use a fork to cut in ¼ cup cold butter until crumbly. Scatter over the top of the cake batter and berries.

The Verdict on Blueberry Boy Bait Recipe

I now understand why Renny ran away with the second-place award at the bake-off. This sheet cake-meets-coffee cake is as easy to make as it is to love. I adore the fact that this cake recipe only dirties one bowl, one pan, and a mixer. And the cake’s crumb is tender, light, yet rich all at once, with a burst of fresh, sweet-tart flavor courtesy of the berries. On its own or paired with whipped cream, a dollop of Greek yogurt, or a scoop of ice cream, this makes for a seriously satisfying dessert or brunch treat.

As a happily single individual, I’m still not sold on the premise that we need to be fixating on “luring in” a partner—with a recipe or anything else—to have a fulfilling life. (No wonder I re-create this spicy Divorce Chicken at least once per month!) Still, the story behind this retro recipe is cute. And I delight in imagining what Renny, who would be 87 years old today, might think of her award-winning cake still making the rounds. If you happen to be reading, Renny, thank you. Also, I can confirm that no bait was required to convince me to come back for another slice.