I’m not sure how I lived on this planet for so many years without ever visiting a blueberry farm. I feel like I’ve been to about every U-pick Michigan has to offer, but somehow, blueberries never made the cut. One lazy, hazy August day at the family cottage changed all that. Looking for ways to entertain my then one-year-old, who we discovered was afraid of both sand and crashing waves, my parents suggested a group trip to Tawas Blueberry Farm. One visit and we were hooked.
The farm boasts several varieties of blueberries, each one specific to how you intend to use them. There are baking blueberries, jam/jelly making blueberries, and my personal favorite, the snacking blueberry, otherwise known as the Toro blueberry. If you’ve never had a Toro blueberry, you haven’t lived. This isn’t your run of the mill, grocery store blueberry, these things are big as softballs, as sweet as can be, and packed with a flavor that’s tough to match. If you’ve never had one, add it to your Michigan bucket list. Your tastebuds will thank me later, I promise.
In 2019, we naively picked less than one bucket, thinking there’s no way we’d ever eat that many. Then I discovered the joys of freezing blueberries, and how great they were for both snacking and baking, and I left longing for the 2020 season.
To say we went overboard is an understatement. We picked three full buckets this year. Some, we gave to friends and family who hopped aboard our blueberry-loving bandwagon, but there was more than enough left over for me to go on a blueberry baking bonanza with my sweet Toros, and I’m sharing the best of those recipes with you. Without further ado, my top 3 quick, easy, and delicious recipes for your U-pick blueberries. Each can be made with fresh or frozen blueberries, and all will leave you craving some fresh-picked blueberries of your own!
A delicious dessert full of all the flavors of summer — with a healthy twist!
A delicious twist on a classic!
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a 9×5 bread pan with cooking spray.
7. Remove from oven and let cool 15 minutes before removing from the pan.
**Great Tip!: This bread also freezes really well! And believe me, you’ll want to stockpile this bad boy, so you can enjoy it all year long!
Add to toast, pancakes, waffles, bagels, and anything else your heart desires!
1/2 tbsp. sweetener of your choice
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Place all ingredients in a food processor.
2. Blend until smooth and combined.
3. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
**Great Tip!: If the butter isn’t soft enough, it will not incorporate with the blueberries. Getting frustrated? Try popping it in the microwave for 5 seconds, and then toss it in the food processor. Don’t worry if it looks a little runny, it’ll firm up in the fridge!**
Enjoy Mamas! Happy blueberry picking…and eating!
