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How to Make Saskatoon Berry Pie

August 17, 2013 by Barb 22 Comments

There is nothing that says prairie like a good old Saskatoon Berry Pie!

I’ve raved about Saskatoon berries so many times and every time people ask me “well what are they like, are they like a blueberry?”

I can only say that to me, they just kind of look like one. Other than that, not so much. Others would disagree, and say they are very much like a blueberry.

What I can tell you is that they:

1. look like a blueberry

2. are a bit firmer than a blueberry

3. have tiny seeds somewhat like a raspberry

4. maybe they are similar to a wild blueberry

The Saskatoon Berry’s name is derived from the Cree word Mis-sask-quah-toomina, a word that sounds similar to Saskatoons. The Aboriginal people and early pioneers used Saskatoons as a staple food in traditional foods such as pemmican.

I practically grew up on them and so did my husband, and a summer would not be complete without at least one pie.

I will still pick any I find along the roadsides, but now I usually go to a Saskatoon farm where they are grown in an orchard setting. The domestic Saskatoons are quite a bit bigger, and more tender than the wild ones. But the key to a great Saskatoon pie is to not just mix them with sugar and throw them into a prepared crust. Years ago I discovered a fantastic recipe for pie filling which results in the most tender, mouthwatering Saskatoon pie ever! (Now for the disclosure: I mix two parts Saskatoons with one part blueberries, totally confusing, I know). But I’ve found that the combination is out-of-this-world. So for you folks who are lucky enough to have these berries, you’ll find my secret recipe at the bottom of this post.

Saskatoon Berry Pie, Saskatchewan Desserts

Saskatoon Berry Pie, Saskatchewan Desserts

Saskatoon Berry Pie, Saskatchewan Desserts

Saskatoon Berry Pie, Saskatchewan Desserts

Print
Saskatoon Berry Pie Filling
 
Ingredients
  • 2 cups fresh Saskatoons
  • 1 cup fresh blueberries
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 Tbsp lemon juice
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 2 Tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 Tbsp butter
Instructions
  1. Combine berries, water and lemon juice.
  2. Mix the dry sugar with the cornstarch, and add to the berries.
  3. Cook over medium heat just until mixture thickens, and cornstarch has cooked.
  4. Add butter (don't forget!)
  5. Cool before placing into pie shell (recipe to follow).
  6. Set the oven to 425 degrees. Set the pie on the lowest rack and bake for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees and continue to bake 15 - 20 minutes longer.
  7. Cool before serving.
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If you want to make a delicious pie crust that is easy, and will not fail – try this one, it’s a family favourite! The dough freezes beautifully (forever actually!). Just let it sit at room temperature before trying to roll it out!
Print
No Fail Pie Crust
 
Ingredients
  • 1 pound lard
  • 5 cups flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 3 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 2 tsp vinegar in water
  • 2/3 cup water
  • 1 egg, well beaten
Instructions
  1. Mix dry ingredients together and cut into lard.
  2. Mix vinegar, water, egg and beat until fluffy.
  3. Blend together until dough starts to stick together nicely – sometimes I don’t use all the water, but if you did, I don’t think it would make a difference.
  4. Form into 5 or 6 discs and chill for 1/2 hour.
  5. Roll out the barrel, er dough, and make your pies!!
  6. **This dough will freeze beautifully (forever actually). Just take it out and let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before rolling it.
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Enjoy!

 

Filed Under: Pies Tagged With: berries, saskatoons

Comments

  1. Kathy says

    August 17, 2013 at 10:28 pm

    I had never heard of Saskatoons before, love learning something new :)

    Reply
  2. Tricia says

    August 17, 2013 at 10:38 pm

    I have to admit, I’ve never heard of that type of berry before! My, you have me intrigued though. Your pie looks delicious!

    Reply
  3. Viv says

    August 18, 2013 at 1:00 am

    Beautiful and yummy pie a particular favourite of mine is the blackberry and apple crumble served with clotted cream ….

    Reply
  4. TexWisGirl says

    August 18, 2013 at 7:30 am

    there is no doubt that i would LOVE this!

    Reply
  5. Sylvia says

    August 18, 2013 at 7:51 am

    Oh, that pie looks so delicious, Barb !
    And you’ve created a beautiful collage !
    Nice Sunday,
    Sylvia

    Reply
  6. Barbara Hurst says

    August 18, 2013 at 8:06 am

    Oh my just not fair this early in the morning, I want some.

    Reply
  7. Peabea says

    August 18, 2013 at 8:14 am

    I too have never heard that berry mentioned in all my years. I did take your pie crust recipe though as I’m terrible at pie crusts. Does it just two or more crusts? I’m so bad at eating anything sweet when it’s around that I usually don’t make pies, but hubby does love a Cherry pie now and then, but my crusts are so lacking that I tend to not make any for him. Myself, I’m an apple pie kind of person. Thanks for sharing.

    Happy Sunday
    Peabea

    Reply
    • Barb says

      August 18, 2013 at 8:18 am

      This crust will make 6 discs that you can roll out, so it should make 3 pies. The discs freeze beautifully, forever, actually!! Thanks for asking this, I’m going to put this in the recipe.

      Reply
  8. Peabea says

    August 18, 2013 at 8:28 am

    Thanks Barb. I think too, I’ll look for that Berry and find out more about where to get some here in Ohio. :) Sounds and looks delicious.

    Reply
    • Dawn Humphreys says

      August 2, 2018 at 9:50 am

      They are better known as Service Berries outside of Canada…if that helps!

      Reply
      • Barb says

        August 2, 2018 at 2:36 pm

        Thank you for that Dawn!

        Reply
  9. Deanna@Snippets from Springdale says

    August 18, 2013 at 10:23 am

    My salivary glands are on overload. Looks so yummy and love that collage!!

    Reply
  10. Denise Powers Fabian says

    August 18, 2013 at 5:36 pm

    NOTHING wrong with stretchy pants…

    Reply
  11. Julia | JuliasAlbum.com says

    August 19, 2013 at 6:54 pm

    What a gorgeous pie! And again, I just love your tea sets.

    Reply
  12. Debbie says

    August 23, 2013 at 7:37 pm

    Wow! This looks deee-licious! We’d love to have you share your recipe at our weekly Saturday Link Party ! Deb @ madefrompinterest.net

    Reply
  13. Cindy says

    July 17, 2018 at 10:03 am

    Can I use frozen berries

    Reply
    • Barb says

      July 17, 2018 at 9:25 pm

      Hi Cindy, yes you could use frozen berries, I don’t think it would make a difference.

      Reply
  14. Dawn Humphreys says

    August 2, 2018 at 9:48 am

    Any suggestions for canning the pie filling? Would I omit any ingredients (such as butter)?

    Reply
    • Barb says

      August 2, 2018 at 2:38 pm

      Hi Dawn, I’ve never canned it (only frozen it) but I would hazard a guess that if you were canning it, it would be better to leave the butter out. You can always add it later.

      Reply
      • Jackie Z says

        February 29, 2020 at 1:56 pm

        Hi Dawn,

        I can my saskatoon pie filling every year, sometimes it gets too thick after canning though and I have to add a little grape juice to think it out and get it in the crust again.

        Reply
  15. Hilda Sterner says

    July 22, 2019 at 1:29 pm

    Thanks for the great recipe! I’m new to Montana, and to Saskatoon berries. We probably have over a thousand bushes on our 65 acres. I decided to try making a pie, but did not realize that the berries needed to be cooked prior to baking in the pie. The result, a delicious tasting pie, but with firm berries… Needless to say, I didn’t share the recipe on my blog and decided to practice some more. I’ll try your method (with some adjustments) and see how it goes. Thanks again!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Saskatoon Berry Butter Tarts & Berry How To says:
    August 27, 2013 at 11:33 am

    […] most favourite way to enjoy Saskatoon berries is in pie!  This pie filling recipe is my mom’s recipe, and we’ve been enjoying it for years!  For the purpose of this post, I’m going to be […]

    Reply

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Welcome! I'm Barb, and this is where I practice my mantra to "learn something new, try something different". It's my hope that something I do here may inspire you! Read More…

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