Saskatoon Berry Loaf with Brown Butter Glaze: A Sweet Taste of Summer
Saskatoon berries, often hailed as the jewels of the Canadian prairies, take center stage in this utterly delightful Saskatoon Berry Loaf with Brown Butter Glaze. While the unique, subtly sweet flavor of these beloved berries is undeniably the star, the rich, nutty notes of our creamy brown butter glaze elevate this quick bread to an unforgettable treat. Complemented by the delightful crunch of pecans and a hint of tropical coconut, this loaf is a true celebration of summer’s bounty, promising a slice of pure comfort with every bite.
Whether you’re lucky enough to have freshly picked Saskatoon berries or you’re reaching for a bag from your freezer, this easy-to-make quick bread offers a fantastic way to enjoy their distinctive taste. The inclusion of fragrant coconut and crunchy pecans adds layers of texture and flavor, transforming a simple berry loaf into an extraordinary culinary experience that will leave you craving more of that incredible brown butter glaze.
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The Allure of Saskatoon Berries: Fresh or Frozen
Saskatoon berries, also known as Juneberries or Serviceberries in some regions, are a true North American treasure. Their season is notoriously short, typically gracing us with their presence for only a few fleeting weeks in early summer. However, don’t let the brevity of their fresh season deter you from enjoying them year-round! These versatile berries perform beautifully whether fresh or frozen, making them a perfect ingredient for this Saskatoon Berry Loaf recipe, or indeed, any recipe that calls for blueberries.
The flavor profile of a Saskatoon berry is truly unique. It’s often described as a delightful cross between a blueberry, an almond, and a subtle hint of apple. This complex sweetness and slight nuttiness make them an ideal candidate for baking, where their taste can truly shine. If you can’t pick them yourself from a wild bush or a local farm, you can often find them frozen at farmer’s markets or specialty grocery stores, ready to be incorporated into your favorite treats.
This past summer, fate finally smiled upon me! After nearly two decades of missing the prime Saskatoon berry picking season, the stars aligned, and I finally got to venture out and harvest these magnificent berries. It was an incredibly rewarding experience, resulting in four enormous buckets brimming with plump, ripe Saskatoons. There’s something incredibly satisfying about gathering your own ingredients, knowing the effort that goes into each delicious bite.
Preserving Summer’s Bounty: Frozen Saskatoon Berries
With such an abundant harvest, I had plenty of berries to prepare and freeze, and the effort was undoubtedly worth it. Freezing Saskatoon berries properly ensures you can enjoy their taste long after their short season has passed. If you’re interested in learning the best methods for freezing Saskatoon berries, be sure to check out my detailed guide on how to freeze them!
In fact, for this very Saskatoon Berry Loaf recipe, I specifically used frozen berries. Using frozen Saskatoons is an excellent choice for quick breads. As they bake, the berries plump up beautifully, releasing their juices and infusing the loaf with flavor, yet they tend to hold their shape better than fresh berries might, preventing the bread from becoming uniformly purple. This ensures you get distinct bursts of berry goodness throughout a tender crumb, rather than a discolored loaf.
This particular Saskatoon berry recipe is one that I developed years ago, and I’m so excited to finally be sharing it with you now! Given how challenging it was for me to acquire fresh Saskatoon berries for many years, finally being able to pick them myself this year has reignited my passion for creating both new recipes and revisiting old favorites, like this cherished Saskatoon Berry Loaf. If you’re eager to explore more ways to use these incredible berries, you’ll find an extensive collection of Saskatoon berry recipes at the bottom of this post, right after the recipe card.
Crafting the Perfect Saskatoon Berry Loaf: Ingredients and Method
Creating this delicious Saskatoon Berry Loaf is a straightforward process, resulting in a moist, flavorful quick bread that’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a satisfying snack. The combination of whole wheat and cake flour provides a wonderfully tender texture, while the vanilla Greek yogurt and lite coconut milk ensure a rich, moist crumb that contrasts beautifully with the juicy berries, crunchy pecans, and shredded coconut.
Essential Ingredients for the Loaf:
- Flour Power: A blend of whole wheat flour adds a wholesome depth, while cake and pastry flour contributes to the loaf’s light and tender texture.
- Leavening Agents: Baking soda and baking powder work in harmony to give the loaf its perfect rise, ensuring a fluffy result without the need for yeast.
- Spices and Sweeteners: Cinnamon adds a warm, inviting aroma, and brown sugar provides a deep, caramel-like sweetness that complements the berries.
- Texture Enhancers: Medium shredded coconut (unsweetened preferred) and chopped pecans introduce delightful texture and flavor dimensions.
- Moisture & Flavor Base: Vanilla Greek yogurt and lite coconut milk are key to the loaf’s incredible moisture. An egg binds everything together, while vanilla extract and lime juice enhance the overall flavor profile.
- The Star: Two cups of Saskatoon berries, whether fresh or frozen, are folded in last, ensuring they remain intact and burst with flavor during baking.
The Irresistible Brown Butter Glaze:
The brown butter glaze is truly what sets this loaf apart. Browning butter involves cooking it gently until the milk solids toast and turn amber, creating a deeply nutty, caramelized aroma and flavor. This process is simple but transformative, adding incredible depth to what would otherwise be a standard cream cheese glaze.
- Brown Butter: Three tablespoons of brown butter form the foundation of this glaze, offering its signature rich, nutty taste.
- Creamy Goodness: Softened light or regular cream cheese provides a smooth, tangy base for the glaze.
- Sweetness and Smoothness: Icing sugar (powdered sugar) gives the glaze its characteristic smooth texture and sweetness, while a touch of milk helps achieve the perfect drizzling consistency.
Baking Instructions Overview:
- Prepare: Preheat your oven and prepare your loaf pan.
- Combine Dry: Whisk together the flours, cinnamon, brown sugar, baking soda, coconut, and baking powder.
- Combine Wet: In a separate bowl, beat the egg until fluffy, then mix in the oil, Greek yogurt, vanilla, lime juice, and coconut milk.
- Mix: Gently combine the wet and dry ingredients, stirring just until no dry streaks remain. Overmixing can lead to a tough loaf.
- Fold in Berries and Nuts: Carefully fold in the chopped pecans and Saskatoon berries.
- Bake: Pour the batter into your prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Glaze Time: While the loaf cools, prepare the brown butter glaze. Beat cream cheese and icing sugar, then whisk in the warm brown butter and milk.
- Finish: Drizzle the glaze generously over the cooled loaf and allow it to set slightly in the fridge.
📖 Versatile Variations to Explore
While this recipe shines with Saskatoon berries, its adaptable nature allows for delicious variations based on what you have on hand or your personal preferences.
- Berry Swaps: If Saskatoon berries (also known as Juneberries or Serviceberries) are unavailable, don’t despair! This loaf is equally delicious with substitutions. Blueberries are a natural fit, but you could also try raspberries (fresh or frozen), blackberries, or a mix of your favorite berries. Adjust sweetness slightly if using tarter fruits.
- Nut Alternatives: Pecans add a wonderful buttery crunch, but feel free to substitute with other chopped nuts like walnuts, almonds, or even macadamia nuts for a different flavor profile. For a nut-free option, pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds can offer a similar textural element.
- Flour Combinations: The recipe uses a blend of whole wheat and cake flour for optimal texture. You can experiment with different flour ratios or even use all-purpose flour for a slightly denser crumb. For gluten-free options, a good quality 1:1 gluten-free baking blend should work well, though results may vary slightly.
- Glaze Modifications: While the brown butter glaze is a highlight, you can simplify with a basic lemon or vanilla glaze. Or, for an extra decadent touch, consider adding a sprinkle of toasted coconut or extra chopped pecans on top of the glaze.
💭 Top Tip: Substituting Cake Flour for an Extra Tender Loaf
Cake flour is renowned for creating baked goods with a super tender, delicate crumb. If you don’t have cake flour on hand, you can easily create a substitute using all-purpose flour and cornstarch. This simple trick will ensure your Saskatoon Berry Loaf has that wonderfully soft texture.
How to Convert All-Purpose Flour to Cake Flour:
For every cup of cake flour required in a recipe, measure out one cup of all-purpose flour. Then, remove two tablespoons of that all-purpose flour and replace them with two tablespoons of cornstarch. Sift this mixture together thoroughly before using. Sifting is crucial as it evenly distributes the cornstarch, which works to inhibit gluten development, leading to a more tender finished product. This quick hack ensures your loaf achieves the desired light and airy texture without a special trip to the store.
The Formula:
1 cup All-Purpose Flour – 2 tablespoons All-Purpose Flour + 2 tablespoons Cornstarch = 1 cup Cake Flour Substitute
🎥 Master the Brown Butter Glaze: Video Tutorial
If you’re new to making brown butter, don’t be intimidated! It’s a simple technique that adds incredible depth of flavor to your baking. For a visual guide and step-by-step instructions, watch this helpful video:
How to make brown butter
🍞 Discover More Quick Bread Recipes
This Saskatoon Berry Loaf is a perfect example of a “quick bread” – a category of baked goods that are incredibly popular for their ease and speed of preparation. The beauty of quick breads lies in their reliance on chemical leaveners like baking soda or baking powder, meaning you don’t need to deal with yeast, proofing, or long rise times. This makes them an ideal choice for bakers of all skill levels, especially when you need a delicious homemade treat in a hurry.
The versatility of quick breads is astounding; from sweet fruit loaves to savory herb breads, the flavor possibilities are endless. If you’ve fallen in love with the simplicity and deliciousness of quick breads, you’ll definitely want to explore some of my other favorite recipes:
- Easy Cinnamon Swirl Bread with Lemon Glaze: A comforting classic with a zesty twist.
- Classic Lemon Loaf: Bright, tangy, and wonderfully moist.
- Easy Healthy Tropical Banana Bread (with Lime Glaze): A healthier take on banana bread, infused with tropical notes.
- Healthy Carrot Loaf: Packed with flavor and wholesome goodness.
- Old Fashioned Date Nut Loaf: A timeless, comforting classic.
- Blueberry Gingerbread Loaf with Fresh Lime Glaze: A unique combination of sweet and spicy.
So, whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting your culinary journey, this Saskatoon Berry Loaf with its decadent brown butter glaze is a recipe you’ll want to add to your repertoire. It’s simple, satisfying, and showcases one of North America’s most unique berries in the most delicious way. Grab those Saskatoon berries—fresh or frozen—and whip up this easy and absolutely delicious quick bread today!
⭐ Your Feedback Matters: Rate and Review!
We absolutely love hearing from you! Your experiences and insights help other home bakers. If you’ve made this delightful Saskatoon Berry Loaf with Brown Butter Glaze, please take a moment to RATE THE RECIPE below! Share your thoughts, any modifications you made, and how it turned out for you. Your reviews are incredibly valuable!
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📋Saskatoon Berry Loaf with Brown Butter Glaze Recipe
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Equipment
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loaf pan
Ingredients
Loaf
- 1 ½ cup whole wheat flour
- ¾ cup cake and pastry flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ cup medium shredded coconut * I use unsweetened
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¾ cup vanilla greek yogurt * you can substitute plain Greek yogurt but increase brown sugar to ⅔ cup and add an additional ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon lime juice from concentrate
- ⅔ cup lite coconut milk
- ⅔ cup chopped pecans
- 2 cup Saskatoon berries
Glaze
- 3 tablespoons brown butter * See Video in NOTES on how to brown butter
- 1 ½ tablespoons milk
- 1 ½ tablespoons light or regular cream cheese softened
- ½ cup icing sugar/powdered sugar
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray loaf pan with non- stick spray.
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Combine flours, cinnamon, brown sugar, baking soda, coconut and baking powder. Set aside
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In a large bowl beat egg till fluffy, beat in oil. Mix in greek yogurt, vanilla, lime juice, and coconut milk.
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Add flour mixture and stir until combined. Fold in chopped pecans and Saskatoon berries. Pour into prepared pan.
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Bake at 350 F for 50-75 minutes or until a toothpick or cake tester inserted comes out clean. Let cool in pan 5 minutes, then remove from pan and cool completely.
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Glaze: beat cream cheese and icing sugar together until smooth. Brown butter in pot on stove top and whisk into cream cheese mixture along with the milk.
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Pour glaze over loaf and let set in fridge for 10 minutes.
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Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Substitute all-purpose flour for cake flour- Converting from all purpose flour to cake flour:
Take one cup of all purpose flour, spooned and leveled. Remove two tablespoons, and then add two tablespoons of cornstarch to the all purpose flour. Sift together before using.
1 cup AP flour – 2 tablespoon AP flour + 2 tablespoon cornstarch = 1 cup cake flour
🎥 Video
How to make brown butter
Nutrition
🍽 Explore More Saskatoon Berry Recipes!
If you’re now captivated by the unique flavor of Saskatoon berries, you’re in luck! There’s a whole world of delicious recipes waiting to be discovered. Whether you have fresh berries or a stash of frozen ones, these recipes offer delightful ways to incorporate this special fruit into your cooking and baking:
- Saskatoon Berry Oatmeal Cookies: A classic cookie with a unique berry twist.
- Saskatoon Berry Crisp (in a mug): A quick and cozy individual dessert.
- No Bake Saskatoon Berry Cheesecake in a Jar: Easy, elegant, and perfect for entertaining.
- Saskatoon Berry Pie Filling & Sauce: Essential for pies, tarts, and topping desserts.
- Saskatoon Berry Tiramisu Dessert Shooters: A sophisticated dessert with layers of berry goodness.
- The 10 BEST Saskatoon Berry Recipes: A curated collection of top-rated Saskatoon berry dishes.