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When I was a kid, on many of our families’ camping trips, while the others slept, you would often find my Uncle Garry and I out early on cool, dewy summer mornings, picking Saskatoon berries (aka Juneberries).
Funny, during all of those picking excursions, I never once worried about running into a bear.
Back then, Saskatoons were special – the kind of special that only comes once a year. There is just something so satisfying about foraging for your own food, then inhaling as much of it as you can along the way.
Photo courtesy of Canstockphoto.com
The taste of a Saskatoon berry is actually quite difficult to describe. How do you even do justice to something that embodies the essence of so many of your childhood memories; a food that encapsulates the innocence, complacency, freedom and adventures of being a kid?
With ice cream pails overflowing, we’d haul our score back to the campsite and whip up a Saskatoon berry pancake feast for the rest of the brood.
Camping circa ’79 ish, Manitoba, Canada
Saskatoon Berry Pancakes
It was inconsequential that I didn’t even really like pancakes. Because when that purple… no, not quite purple, but more of a mulberry- eggplant colored, plump, succulent, warm, and partially burst berry met my taste buds, the party moved to directly to my mouth and even the substandard camping pancake mix was invited!
Thankfully and surprisingly, Uncle Garry and I never did meet a bear. The fact that I never once worried about it, only speaks to the bliss of ignorance in childhood and how we, as kids, ever so unwittingly relinquish the entire burden of our well-being to the adults in our presence. And when I look back, so much of the fondness I have for my childhood is by virtue of that comfort; that comfort I took for granted, the comfort in someone else always worrying about those details, details I never would have even thought to consider.
Juneberries are like Blueberries but BETTER!
Someone once described Saskatoon berries to me, “LIKE BLUEBERRIES, BUT BETTER.” So simple, yet I cannot think of a better description.
But Saskatoon berries aren’t just for picking and popping in your mouth, pancakes or pies! The nutty almond note in this cookie, enveloped in a sweet symphony of brown sugar, cinnamon, coconut and oaty goodness, makes these berries sing and elevates these soft oatmeal cookies to a point where they could share the stage with any Saskatoon berry pie. So, if you are looking for Saskatoon berry recipes, don’t pass these Saskatoon berry cookies by!
And fortunately for you, there is no foraging required – these days you can buy Saskatoons all year round at the grocery store or farmers market. However, if you are feeling really ambitious, Saskatoon berry bushes still grow wild and there is a small window of ripeness (approximately 2-3 weeks) in the summer, depending on the weather. You just have to find them.
Just make sure keep an eye out for bears!
Saskatoon Berry (Juneberry) Oatmeal Cookies
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup butter
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp milk
- 1 tsp almond extract
- 1 1/4 cup flour
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 1/2 cups rolled oats
- 1 1/2 cups Saskatoon berries fresh or frozen and defrosted
- 1/4 cup medium unsweetened coconut
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or spray with non-stick cooking spray.
- Using an electric mixer, combine butter, sugars, egg, milk and almond extract until light and fluffy.
- Whisk together the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt and add to the butter mixture.
- Add the rolled oats and coconut, mix thoroughly and then very gently stir in the Saskatoon berries. Be careful not to break them -you don’t want purple cookie dough!
- Drop by spoonfuls on to parchment paper lined cookie sheet.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 12 – 14 minutes. Cool for 3 minutes, then move to a cooling rack for an additional 3-5 minutes or until set.
Saskatoons are a favorite at our house! I will have to give these a try! 🙂
Hope you enjoy them!
Saskatoons are a favorite at our house! I will have to give these a try! 🙂
Hope you enjoy them!
My parents had a Saskatoon Berry or grad on their farm but I do have some wonderful memories of picking in the wild as a kid. No bears thankfully!
I’m glad it brought back some good memories for you and that you didn’t run into any bears either, Sue!
My parents had a Saskatoon Berry or grad on their farm but I do have some wonderful memories of picking in the wild as a kid. No bears thankfully!
I’m glad it brought back some good memories for you and that you didn’t run into any bears either, Sue!
I had never tried a Saskatoon Berry until I lived in Western Canada. Easily accessible Saskatoon berries is one thing I definitely miss living back in Ontario!
I can only imagine how much you miss them 🙁
Thankfully, I still have friends to visit and an excuse to get some! But I do miss them! Loved this post – even though it made me miss the berries, it was great to see a post about what may be the most under-appreciated berry 🙂
Thanks!
I had never tried a Saskatoon Berry until I lived in Western Canada. Easily accessible Saskatoon berries is one thing I definitely miss living back in Ontario!
I can only imagine how much you miss them 🙁
Thankfully, I still have friends to visit and an excuse to get some! But I do miss them! Loved this post – even though it made me miss the berries, it was great to see a post about what may be the most under-appreciated berry 🙂
Thanks!
I spent many a day with an ice cream pail out in the Manitoba summer. I love all things saskatoon berry and recall pinching saskatoon pyrohy too!
Glad it also brought back some delicious memories for you too, Lori!
I spent many a day with an ice cream pail out in the Manitoba summer. I love all things saskatoon berry and recall pinching saskatoon pyrohy too!
Glad it also brought back some delicious memories for you too, Lori!
You’re right–the taste of Saskatoons is difficult to describe. I think they pair well with almond flavours. Adding your cookie recipe to my Saskatoon Berry Pinterest board. Thanks!
You have a Saskatoon berry board on Pinterest?! You are my hero!
You’re right–the taste of Saskatoons is difficult to describe. I think they pair well with almond flavours. Adding your cookie recipe to my Saskatoon Berry Pinterest board. Thanks!
You have a Saskatoon berry board on Pinterest?! You are my hero!
What a sweet post, Terri! Believe it or not I’ve never had a Saskatoon Berry, but I’ve always wanted to try one — it seems that every time I’m in a region where they grow it slips my mind. I loved this little trip down memory lane, and the cookies look delish. Have a great weekend!
Thank you, Justine! I really hope you get to try them someday, as I’m sure you will enjoy them. Like I said, they are “like blueberries, but better”!
What a sweet post, Terri! Believe it or not I’ve never had a Saskatoon Berry, but I’ve always wanted to try one — it seems that every time I’m in a region where they grow it slips my mind. I loved this little trip down memory lane, and the cookies look delish. Have a great weekend!
Thank you, Justine! I really hope you get to try them someday, as I’m sure you will enjoy them. Like I said, they are “like blueberries, but better”!
I’ve never seen saskatoons in the store! I grew up picking saskatoons in the bush but because I spent my first eight years in southern Ontario, I still prefer blueberries! I don’t think we could get saskatoons in Germany, though. These look really tasty, and I’m sure blueberries or even other berries would be delicious!
Hi Alexandra: Thanks- and yes, I agree that these cookies would be great with any berry!
I’ve never seen saskatoons in the store! I grew up picking saskatoons in the bush but because I spent my first eight years in southern Ontario, I still prefer blueberries! I don’t think we could get saskatoons in Germany, though. These look really tasty, and I’m sure blueberries or even other berries would be delicious!
Hi Alexandra: Thanks- and yes, I agree that these cookies would be great with any berry!
I love Saskatoon berries, too. I always thought that they were uniquely Canadian, but was surprised to find them growing in Finland, on a visit there. What a wonderful addition to oatmeal cookies. They look delicious!
Interesting- I thought they were Canadian too!
I love Saskatoon berries, too. I always thought that they were uniquely Canadian, but was surprised to find them growing in Finland, on a visit there. What a wonderful addition to oatmeal cookies. They look delicious!
Interesting- I thought they were Canadian too!
How much coconut did you use?
Hi Justin: 1/4 cup medium unsweetened coconut
Sorry about that! I recently moved my website and had some issues with stuff not transferring over correctly. I thought I had been through everything so thank you so much for pointing that out! I have updated the recipe now