It is a great pleasure to identify edible plants, trees and flowers to include in my culinary endeavors. Most recently I rang my neighbor’s doorbell to ask if he wouldn’t mind if I picked a few bowls of berries from his Juneberry tree (a.k.a., saskatoon, shadbush, sugar plum, service berry, et al) in return for some baked goods and perhaps a cocktail, some jam and maybe some ice cream, or a cobbler. The possibilities are endless. He didn’t say no.
This recipe is not for a sugary sweet cupcake that masquerades as a muffin. No, these are delicate-crumbed cakes – almost savory – plump with jammy berries and a whisper of almond, echoing the notes of the berries’ seeds.
Old Fashioned Juneberry Muffins, makes 10, adapted from James Beard
2 c. sifted flour (I used unbleached all purpose)
1/2 c sugar
1 T baking powder
1/2 t salt
1 egg, beaten
1 c milk (I used whole)
1 1/2 t almond extract
1/4 c melted butter
3/4 c lightly floured Juneberries
Preheat oven to 425 F. Butter the muffin tin. I used a regular sized tin; this batch made 10.
Sift all the dry ingredients into a mixing bowl (alternately you can whisk everything together lightly).
Make a well in the center and add the eggs, milk, extract and butter. (I whisked all together prior to adding to the dry ingredients.) Stir to a smooth batter.
Fold in fruit. Spoon into prepared muffin tins until 3/4 full.
Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until nicely browned.
Playlist included Junebug, by Robert Francis.
Persephone's Kitchen 
I’ve never heard of juneberries before. But, they look like they made for some awesome muffins. I have a sweet treat linky party going on at my blog till Monday night and I’d love it if you came by and linked your muffins up. http://sweet-as-sugar-cookies.blogspot.com/2011/06/sweets-for-saturday-22.html
I had never heard of Juneberries before today either, however I had heard of Service Berries, don’t think I had ever seen one, they actually look like huckleberries, I would like to try them and also find them. I bet your recipe would be good with any of the summer berries and will have to try it, sounds so good. Wonderful blog.
Where I live we can, in the right season, pick ridiculous amounts of blackberry’s. Using fruit straight off a tree really does make for an incredibly nice dessert. So much cheaper too, fruit can be damn expensive.
Lucky, lucky you! And you aren’t kidding. I just picked cherries not too far from me (at a you-pick farm) and it was much cheaper than at the local Whole Foods. ‘course you gotta do the work. But it’s worth it, I think. Enjoy the rest of the full-of-fruit summer!
I’ve never had those, but now really want them. The muffins look amazing!
Thanks, Rufus!
Wow- looks great! I did a little foraging for mulberries in my back alley! We just ate them on their own- but trying them in place of the juneberries sounds perfect. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Oh my yes, adjust the sugar to your liking. This is a fairly savory batter on its own, but delicious like that with ripe berries. Have fun!
What do they taste like compared to blueberries?
Very similar, a little more almond-y with the seeds (teeny ones, like raspberries). And very delicious. Maybe because their season is so fleeting. Thanks for stopping in!
Those muffins looks so moist!
Those look good! What exactly are juneberries? They look just like blueberries lol. Thanks for sharing! I’m new to blogging here and I just love how supportive and creative everyone is! If you have time, could you please check out my blog? http://shecooksandheeats.wordpress.com/ If you have any, I would love some advice 🙂
just harvested a bumper crop of Juneberries from my own bush. slightly underripe but I beat the birds this year! am sooo making this recipe, today.