5 Delicious Aronia Recipes
Although the high antioxidant level and low sugar content make aronia berries not very pleasant to taste on their own, they are an ideal ingredient for a variety of delicious recipes. Here are a few of them:
Aronia Smoothie – A Glass Full of Antioxidants
Blend and serve immediately 3-4 bananas, 1 cup plain yogurt, 1 cup coconut milk (or other plant-based milk), 1 cup frozen aronia berries, 1 cup frozen raspberries or other berries, 1/2 teaspoon sea salt for electrolytes.
Aronia and Cherry Sauce
You will need 1 cup aronia berries and 1 cup tart cherries, maple syrup or honey to taste. Add the aronia berries and cherries to a saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring continuously. Add sweetener to taste. If using raw honey, wait until the fruit mixture has cooled to avoid destroying the enzymes and pollen in the honey. This sauce can be served with cream cheese or pancakes.
Oatmeal and Aronia Berry Cookies
You will need 1/2 cup softened butter (melted coconut oil can also be used), 1 cup brown sugar, 5/6 cup honey, 2 eggs, 1 1/2 tablespoons vanilla extract, 1 cup rolled oats, 1 cup flour (can be almond flour), 1 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon baking soda, 1 cup fresh or frozen aronia berries. Place butter and sweetener in a bowl and mix. Beat the egg with vanilla and add to the butter and sweetener bowl. Combine oats, flour, cinnamon, salt, baking soda, and baking powder in another bowl and gradually add them to the creamed mixture in the first bowl, mixing continuously. Add the aronia berries. Drop or spoon the mixture onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or greased. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-14 minutes, until golden brown. You should get 35 delicious cookies!
Aronia Berry and Walnut Cake
You will need 2 eggs, 3/4 cup sugar or other sweetener, 1 cup flour (can be almond flour), 1/3 cup melted butter or coconut oil, 1 cup fresh or frozen aronia berries, 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or walnut puree, 1 teaspoon citrus zest. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a baking pan. Beat eggs in a medium bowl and gradually add sugar, beating continuously until sugar is dissolved. Now add the flour and melted butter and mix well. Next, add the aronia berries and walnuts and mix very well until completely combined. Spread the batter evenly in the baking pan and bake for 40-45 minutes, until golden brown on top, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Serve cold, sliced. Recipe makes 16 servings.
Aronia Tart
You will need 2 tablespoons butter, 4 cups frozen aronia berries, 2 cups sugar or 1 3/4 cups maple syrup or honey, 5 teaspoons lemon juice, 3/4 cup whole wheat flour. Melt butter in a saucepan, remove from heat and add aronia berries, sweetener, and lemon juice. When the aronia berries start to release their juice, add the flour and cook, stirring, until the mixture becomes translucent. Cool to room temperature. Place the tart crust in a tart pan and add the aronia filling. Top with the tart lid (another pie/tart crust) and make a few holes in the center with a fork for ventilation. Bake for 40-45 minutes, cool, and refrigerate overnight.