With summer just on the brink, fresh fruit is on my mind. After berry picking and a trip to the supermarket, these Fresh Tropical Fruit and Strawberry Muffins seemed like the perfect solution. Just a little sweet, and full of flavor – they will satisfy as a snack or a dessert – even for the kids.
Berry Picking Adventure
Sunday’s trip to Patterson Farms was specifically for the purpose of picking strawberries. There’s nothing quite like searching the bushes for what you call your perfect berry, taste testing along the way (of course!). I look forward to berry picking every year and some seasons we even make two trips.
An Unexpected Twist
I knew before I ever set foot on the farm that I wanted to bake with some of the berries. I always end up using at least half of them for just that. It’s usually cobblers or sometimes we make shortcakes. This year I wanted something different. I picked up a host of other produce between the farm and my trip to the supermarket, not really having a plan for any of it, simply buying what looked and sounded good. Among other things, I ended up with a pineapple and a mango. And then, they had little muffin babies.
The Recipe
Mixing chopped strawberries with sugar and allowing them some time to sit lets the berries release their juices, and that natural juice serves as a good part of the liquid in the muffin batter. Adding mango and pineapple, and their juicy goodness, produces a deliciously moist muffin without adding any additional liquid to the batter. The undiluted flavor is unbelievable.
Serving and Enjoying
If you can let these cool before digging in, you have more self-restraint than I do. The smell of the baking muffins alone nearly drove me crazy. Do you have a favorite way to use fresh summer fruit?
Conclusion
Summer is the perfect time to take advantage of fresh fruits and get creative in the kitchen. These Fresh Strawberry and Tropical Fruit Muffins are a delightful way to enjoy the flavors of the season. Whether you make them for a family snack or a sweet treat, they are bound to be a hit. So grab those delicious fresh fruits, and start baking!