Have you ever heard of a serviceberry? These berries come from a tree or a shrub, and are often very hearty, and even drought resistant, in some cases. We have a large serviceberry tree in our yard, and it yields an abundance of berries in late May. They mostly ripen at once, and if you don’t pick them, the squirrels and birds will quickly take care of them for you. They are as sweet as a blueberry, but are very seedy. I actually prefer them in baked goods, but still enjoy them right from the tree. What’s funny, is that we didn’t realize what we had for several years. My mother decided to take some of the berries to be tested, and we were pleasantly surprised. To our delight, we had a tree full of berries, which required little maintenance, with a huge pay off once a year. It pays to listen to your mom, lol! I decided to make some muffins and I added some lemon zest to brighten them up. They were super delicious, but the serviceberries do lose a little flavor when cooked. However, it is a wonderful and delicious way to use up oodles of organic berries right outside our door!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup sugar and extra for pans
- 2 tsp. baking powder
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1 cup milk
- 1/4 cup butter and extra for pans
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- zest of 1 lemon
- 1 1/2 cup serviceberries (or blueberries work great in this recipe)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Zest the lemon and set aside.
- Melt the butter and set aside to cool down.
- Prepare the muffin tins. Brush the muffin tin cups with melted butter and evenly sprinkle sugar all around the cups. Shake off excess. You can also use liners.
- Sift the flour and baking powder together. Add the salt and sugar, and mix well.
- Separately mix the wet ingredients together, starting with the egg, followed by the milk, vanilla, and butter. Whisk until mixed together.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Lightly stir or whisk until combined.
- Gently fold in the lemon zest and berries.
- Fill the muffin cups (just below the rim), and bake for 18-22 minutes, until they bounce back when poked or a cake tester comes out clean.
- Remove and let cool on a wire rack.
- Enjoy!
I am excited to co-host Fiesta Friday # 231 this week, with the lovely Laurena from Life Diet Health!
Never heard of serviceberries, but always glad to learn something new. The muffins look delicious! 🙂
They are an interesting berry. Thank you Ronit! 😀
Such pretty little berries! And what a great way to use them up…. 🙂
Thank you so much Linda! 😀
I know I’ve come across service berries before, Antonia, but I can’t remember where. How cool that you can just pick them and bake.Yes, listen to your mum! 🙂
It is really cool Diana. We have learned to pick them immediately when they are all mostly ripe. One year, we had all the berries literally disappear overnight. I agree! I am so thankful she checked them out for us. I will be over to visit soon! 😀
This is so interesting ! I have never heard of service berries before. I have learned something 🙂 . I can imagine they taste divine in those lemon muffins. Have a wonderful day Antonia. x
It really is. I was excited to find out we have a berry tree in our yard! Thank you, I hope you have a wonderful weekend as well, Lynne! 😀
I had never heard of service berries Antonia but they look so yummy and your idea of brightening them up with lemon is just perfect!
It was neat to find out what we have. Thank you, my friend! I’m a bit behind, but will be stopping by soon! 😀
Service berries? Are they the same as June berries? How wonderful they’re right outside and well done Mum for finding out about them! These muffins look delicious – Thanks for sharing at Fiesta Friday ☺
Yes, I think they are. They have a bunch of different names. I am really glad she discovered it for us. Thank you! Have a wonderful day, and sorry for the delay!
How lucky! I’m searching for nurseries that sell serviceberry as we speak! There aren’t many! I located one but they’re out of stock. I’ll have to wait until next year. How big does it get? I’m going to have to keep dreaming about serviceberry for a while 😄
It is really awesome! What a cool coincidence! I hope you find one. Our tree is probably about 12 feet tall and very full. It is pretty in the summer and the spring. So far, it has required little maintenance from us. The only downfall is that you have to pick faster than the birds and the squirrels, because they can clear the tree quickly. I learned that the hard way a few years ago, when all the berries disappeared from one afternoon to the next morning. Good luck on your hunt! 😀
Btw, Antonia, I hope you remember you’ll be cohosting tomorrow. Your partner is Laurena @ Life Diet Health
I’m emailing you. Thank you for the reminder!
Got it! I sent you a message via your contact form.
Great, thanks!
I have never heard of these. My first thought was ‘sour’ but you say they’re sweet. Great recipe!
Thank you so much Jacqui! Have a beautiful day! 😀
I have never heard of this before Antonia! Lovely recipe
Thank you Lynn! 😀
most welcome
😀
The berries are so beautiful on the tree Antonia!! I love that photo. And serviceberries are new to me too– they sound easy enough for us to grow!! Thanks for the introduction. And the muffins look delicious! Don’t you love morning muffins?? They just start the day right. What a fun post! hugs hugs Antonia.
Thank you so much Rhonda! They are super easy to grow. Yes, I do! They make a morning brighter. 😀 Have a great weekend and 4th!
Hi Antonia. Just saying a warm hello since I’ve crossed the pond and I’m in LA ( already for a week)!
Wishes for a great summer.
Hi! I hope you have a wonderful summer, how exciting! Thank you! I’ve never been to LA, but I’ve heard it’s a fun place! 😀 Have a great time and thank you my friend!
The muffins look amazing, and the heck with the darned squirrels!! Kudos to Moms, right!
Thank you so much Mollie! Right, lol! Have a wonderful rest of your week! 😀
It would be nice if I could take a piece in real life. Hahaha! These look amazing, Antonia. Thanks for hosting & for sharing! x
Thank you, Jhuls! I am sorry for the late response, I was away unexpectedly. I hope you are having a nice week! 😀
The muffins look delicious !
Thank you so much Swapna! I will be over to visit soon. I hope you are having a nice summer!
Like others I too have not heard of serviceberry but the muffins look amazing. If I could get hold of these berries I am certainly giving it a try.
Thank you! They are a unique berry. These are great with blueberries too. Have an awesome day! 😀
I never have heard of serviceberries. Do they grow in India?
I am not sure. They are hearty trees and grow in full to part sun. They are also known as Juneberries. I had never heard of them before my mom had the berries tested for us.
I’ll google it…
😀
Oh I would love them. I haven’t seen serviceberries since I was probably 20 🙂
Thank you so much, Inese! I have been away for a little while, sorry for the delayed response! I hope you are doing well!
Thank you I am all right 🙂
I’m glad to hear it! Have a nice end to your week!
Thank you so much! You too enjoy the rest of the week!
Thank you ! 😀
These muffins look delish! I have never heard of serviceberries before but they look like plums!
Thank you, Sophie! They are really interesting berries!