Saskatoon Whole Wheat Muffins

In Manitoba, the ideal time to go saskatoon picking is mid July. If the weather conditions are favourable you can even keep picking into August. With the beautiful spring we had we were able to get picking a little earlier this year. When out picking a helpful tip is the darker the colour, the higher the sugar content!

This year we stumbled upon THE BEST location for berry picking while out enjoying a family quad ride in the porcupine mountains. It didn’t take long to pick enough berries to do some baking.  The best part was it had just recently rained so the berries required very minimal cleaning.

Saskatoon Muffin Recipe: makes 12 muffins

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INGREDIENTS:

1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 cup of buttermilk
1/2 cup of canola oil
1 tsp of pure vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups of North Country Grains Whole Wheat Flour 
3/4 cup of white sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
Zest of one orange or lemon
2 cups of fresh Saskatoon berries (other berries may be substituted)

DIRECTIONS:

Step 1) Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line muffin tray with paper liners, butter, or spray with a non stick cooking spray.
Step 2) In a bowl mix together the wet ingredients – egg, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla extract.
Step 3) In a larger bowl combine dry ingredients – flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and zest.
Step 4) Gently fold the berries into the dry mixture.
Step 5) With a rubber spatula fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir only until the ingredients are combined. Do not over mix the batter.
Step 6) Fill each muffin cup almost full with batter. Place in the middle of the oven and bake for 20-25 mins.
Step 7) Transfer to a wire rack once baked and let cool for approx 5 minutes before removing muffins from the pan.

These muffins are great to eat fresh from the oven and freeze very well.