I get a major hankering for blackberry (aka the marionberry) in the fall. The marionberry is a variation of the blackberry which was named after Marion County in 1956. Blackberries are extremely good for you, just like pumpkin.
But unlike pumpkin, blackberries are rich in bioflavonoids and Vitamin C, and are also rather low in calories. Everyone always thinks about pumpkin and apple for fall, but what about the infamous blackberry? These are the best blackberry products I've found.
1. Lemon Marionberry Muffins
These muffins are amazing. They are melt in your mouth lemon muffins with strong hints of blackberries and lemon glaze. You can find these muffins at The Metropolitan Market Bakery for $5.99 for four, which is so worth it if you ask me.
If you want a recipe to something similar, this homemade blackberry lime cupcake should do the trick or this lemon cupcake with blackberry frosting.
2. Marionberry Pie
The Marionberry pie from Safeway is amazing. It literally tastes like you are just eating jam. The filling is so rich and the sugared crust is so sweet. It is like there is an explosion of blackberry in your mouth.
This gives you the most pure rich taste of blackberry aside from eating them straight off the bush. If you feel like baking, try this delicious cherry-berry pie.
3. Yogurt
There are so many brands of blackberry yogurt, but my favorites have to be Tillamook and Yoplait. Tillamook offers the Oregon Marionberry 0% Farmstyle Greek Yogurt Parfait if you want a crunch to your yogurt. Eating this yogurt is almost like you are eating a healthy blackberry pie.
With only 160 calories, it is a great way to keep you on track during the holiday season. Though these yogurts are delicious, be careful about your added sugars.
4. Blue Machine by Naked
This smoothie actually has more of the consistency of juice. Some benefits of this drink are that it's gluten-free, vegan, and has no added sugar or preservatives. This is definitely a drink I pick up if I'm on the go and have a craving for blueberry and blackberry.
5. Sparkling Black Izze
Another drink that satisfies my blackberry craving is Izze's sparkling blackberry drink. It is a fun drink that wakes me up with it bubbles. With all natural ingredients—only fruit juice and sparkling water, no refined sugars, preservatives, or artificial flavors—of course it tastes amazing.
Plus, the company strives to not have some of the bad additives that other companies leave in.
6. Smucker's Natural Blackberry Fruit Spread
This is one of my favorite blackberry products—mainly because it is so versatile. I have used it on cornbread, toast, bagels, and even on oatmeal.
My favorite meal to make with this spread is PB&J oatmeal. Not only does this simple recipe (of just mixing peanut butter and jelly into the oatmeal) bring me back to my childhood, it is also an easy, healthy, and filling snack to make in a dorm room. Or, go old school and make your own blackberry jam.
7. Tillamook Wild Mountain Blackberry Ice Cream
Tillamook Wild Mountain Blackberry ice cream is definitely something I get excited about when it hits the shelves. I dream about this ice cream. It is so pretty and fluffy because it is made with egg yolk. Curling up with a book and savoring the creamy, rich flavor of this ice cream is how I like to end the day. If you're feeling adventurous, try this ice cream bread recipe.
Fall and winter are a time for seasonal treats such as apple cinnamon, pumpkin spice, mint, and apple, making it is easy to forget about some of the classics like blackberries. These products are an easy way to bring back your seasonal childhood wonders without doing the hard labor in the kitchen. Although I am no stranger to the tempting Pumpkin Spice Latte, sometimes we should switch it up and try some old school flavors.