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28 Hardy Fruits You Can Grow in Zone 2 and 3

January 31, 2018

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Are you dreaming of a backyard orchard or food forest but think that because you’re in zone 2 or 3 you’re restricted to crab apples? Absolutely not!  Here are 28 hardy fruits you can grow in zones 2-3.

Hardy Fruit Growing Tips

Most fruit trees require at least two of the same tree to pollinate and bear fruit.  If you live in an urban centre and your neighbour has an apple tree, that could count as your second apple tree, as long as it blooms around the same time.

If the tag says self-pollinating, you can just buy one.

Most fruit trees, except the Nanking cherry, require full sun.  Full sun means at least 6 (but preferably more) hours of direct sun a day.

Baby your fruit tree for the first few years after planting.  Fertilize and water thoroughly.  Your tree should come with care instructions.  If not, join the Growing Roots Gardening Community and ask us!

Finally, don’t expect to get fruit the first year.  Depending on the size of tree you bought, you might be waiting 3-6 years for your first harvest.

Have some fruit growing tips that you would like to share? Be sure to share them in the comments!

A short disclaimer: The varieties pictured may not be the varieties mentioned.  I used my own photos where possible, but had to rely a lot on stock photography for this post.  I tried to pick pictures that looked most like the varieties mentioned. 

Apples

Yes, you can grow apples the size of the ones in the grocery store on the prairies.  Honeycrisp is excellent for storage, Norkent and Odessey are good for fresh eating, and Serious is especially good for baking.  Prairie Magic and Goodland are better varieties for those short on space.

Sweet Sixteen has the most interesting taste of spice, vanilla, cherry, and apple.  The Wold River variety was prized for pie making.  Legend has it you could make one pie with one apple.

Brown thumb?  The 922-End Apple and September Ruby trees are hardy to zone 1.

Or try the TreasureRed columnar apple.  Just don’t be disappointed that you paid $50 for a stick.  I promise the stick will grow into a lovely tree.

If you’re from Saskatchewan, a trip out to the Petrofka Orchard is a must in both Spring and Fall.

Want to try making apple pies?  Here’s how to organize an apple pie making day.

Apricot

Manchurian Apricots make for delicious fresh eating, jellies, and jams.  You’ll love the gorgeous shell pink blooms in the spring.  Be aware that you’ll get a good crop every second year, not every year.

Find out how you can grow an apricot on the Prairies, plus 27 more hardy fruits you wouldn't expect!Click To Tweet

Aronia

Aronia is the berry that just keeps on giving.  It has gorgeous spring blooms, is a high in antioxidants, and has spectacular fall colour.  Unpicked berries provide nice visual interest in winter.  The Viking variety is one of the most productive.

Blackberries

The Chester blackberry is a versatile blackberry thats good for freezing, wine, jams and jellies, and fresh eating.  The vine spreads rapidly, so it’s recommended that you grow it along a fence if you’re in an urban centre.

Blueberries

Blueberries can be purchased in both low bush and high bush varieties.  The Northblue and Blue Gold varieties have the longest life-span in the refrigerator, giving you plenty of time to eat them before they go bad.  Or give you a few extra day days to process them.

New to processing berries?  Here’s my best tips and tricks to make everything go smoother.

Chokecherries

Chokecherries are hardy to zone one and can be used as a windbreak shrub.  These berries are only good for jelly, sypup, or juice and are very astringent.  When the jam recipe says that you need more sugar than berries–believe it.

Chokecherry juice is also one of my favourite natural egg dyes.  It makes a lovely purply-blue.

Think you're stuck growing crabapples and chokecherries just because you live in zone 2? Here's 28 fruits you can grow, plus my favourite varieties.Click To Tweet

Crab Apples

Where I’m from, it seems as if every yard has a crab apple tree.  If you’re buying new and intending to eat your crab apples, make sure you don’t buy an ornamental variety!  Crab apples are more sour than regular apples, but I actually like them better in my pies, jams, and jellies.  I also love to juice them!

P.S. You need to try this Maple Spiced Crab Apple Butter.  It will be your new favourite.

Cranberry

Like the aronia, cranberries are another giving fruit.  White flowers emerge in June, followed by red fruit in the fall.  You’ll love how red the leaves turn!  Cranberry juice is a well-known remedy to help avoid UTI’s.

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Currants

I personally have many fond memories of picking wild currants with my family.  We were lucky enough to have a couple of bushes right on our fields.

All varieties of currents are good for jams or jellies. Red Lake is good for wines and Ben Hope Black Currant is a favourite for juicing.

Elderberry

Elderberry is said to have lots of healing properties and has been used as a folk remedy in North America, Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia for centuries.  It makes delicious jelly, pies, and wine.

Fig Tree

The Chicago Fig is a lovely tree that provide’s golf ball sized fruit and can reach up to 12 feet high.  It is hardy to zone 5, so plant in a large pot and bring it indoors for the winter.  It’s self-polinating, so you only need one.

Goji Berry (Wolfberry)

A nice small shrub  loaded with delicious red berries.  You can also use the young leaves in a stirfry.

Gooseberries

The Black Velvet Variety is similar to a blueberry and is good for baking, jams, or wine.  Pixwell is virtually thornless and self-polinating.  Jahn’s Prairie tastes similar to an apricot.

Berry lover? You'll never guess how many types of berries you can grow in zone 2 and 3!Click To Tweet

Grapes

Grapes plants are wonderful to use as a screen along a fence.  The Prairie Star, Valiant, Kandiyohi, and Marquette varies are all good for juice, wine, jams, and jellies.

Haskap Honeysuckle

Haskaps are one of the hardiest fruits you can plant.  The blooms can survive up to -8C!!  Home gardeners will love the Borealis variety.

Kiwi

I was very surprised to learn that there is not only one, but two hardy kiwi varieties that can be grown in zone 2 or 3.  The Chung Bai and Arctic Beauty varieties  both grow fruit that is about 5 cm/2 inches in length.  Pick the Arctic Beauty for its gorgeous green, pink, and white leaves!

Lingonberry

If you’ve ever been to Ikea, you’ll be familiar with the Lingonberry.  They have a lovely tart taste that is similar to a cranberry.

Grow the famous Ikea berry (Lingnon Berry) in your backyard. Find out how!Click To Tweet

Nanking Cherry

I like to think of nanking cherries as the original prairie cherry.  They make excellent pie filling and have beautiful white spring blossoms.  One of the few fruits that can grow in shade.  Use them as part of your windbreak if you’re landscaping an acreage.

Pear

Pears require two varieties for pollination.  You’ll want to order the Beedle Pear (hurray for the long storage life!) and the Early Gold Pear (great for fresh eating).

The Southworth variety is one of the few that have good production every year.  Most pears are like apricots, in that they only produce well every second year.

Plum

The Pembina plum is a hardy freestone plum that bakes well in desserts.  Keep it away from Nanking cherries, sand cherries, and double flowering plums, as they will cross pollinate and you won’t end up with the fruit you thought you would.  La Crescent is a lovely yellow freestone plum that tastes like an apricot.

The Canada and America varieties are excellent pollinator trees.

Waneta, Brookgold, and Fofonoff (best name ever!) are also solid and tasty choices hardy to zone 2.

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Raspberries

We all think of Raspberries as being red, but did you know you can grow varieties in yellow (Honey Queen), purple (Royal Purple), and almost black (Wyoming Black)?  Red River is an easy red variety to grow for beginners.

I love to make jam and freeze extra to make my copycat Tim Horton’s Raspberry Bran Muffins.

Love Raspberries?  Here are 10 Recipes you need to try.

Rhubarb

Rhubarb is a wonderful fruit, but very hard to get rid of if you change your mind. Use it in crisps, jams, and pies.  Pairs best with strawberry, and is always welcome in a bumble berry pie.

Sandcherry

The sand cherry has beautiful grayish leaves and can be used as a windbreak shrub.  The fruit is best used in jams or wine.

Sandcherries, Nanking cherries, and Hardy semi-sweet cherries, oh my! You'll never guess how many cherry varieties you can grow on the Prairies.Click To Tweet

Saskatoon

I grew up on a farm with over 1000 Saskatoon berry bushes, so I have a special affinity for them.  We planted the Smoky, Northline, and Theissen varieties.  The Smoky variety was my favourite, as it had the largest and sweetest berries.

Read about my love of berry picking here, and try out this stunning Saskatoon berry cheesecake. 

Sea-Buckthorn

Sea Buckthorn makes a beautiful hedge in your yard and provides delicious fruit that contains Omega 3, Omega 6, Omega 9, and Omega 7.  It’s also a good drought-resistant pick for xeriscapes.

Sour Cherries (Hardy Semi-Sweet Cherries)

Sour cherries have become my favourite of all the available prairie-hardy fruits.  The U of S varieties are so good, you’ll want one of each: Carmine Jewel, Romeo, Juliet, Cupid, Crimson Passion, Valentine, and Cupid.  If you’re obsessed like I am, you’ll also want to try the Rose Cherry or Evan’s Cherry.

This is the first year I juiced cherries and they are so good!  I also freeze some for pies and to eat with my yogurt for breakfast.  You’ll want to set aside a few this summer to make No-Churn Cherry Cheesecake Ice Cream.

Strawberries

Who doesn’t love a fresh garden strawberry on a hot summer day?  Plant them in their own bed or a container for best results.  The Kent variety is a good producer but has a short season.  Fort Laramie is a very hardy everbearing variety.  Try Seascape if you plan to freeze a lot of your fruit.

Love strawberries?  You need to try Strawberry Feta Salad, Strawberry shortcake, and Strawberry Zucchini Cake.

Thimbleberry

Thimble berries are similar to raspberries.  They have larger leaves and their canes are smooth instead of thorny.  You’ll love them for their fruit and their fall colour!

With so many hardy fruits to try, which one will you choose?  Let me know in the comments!  I also love hearing your fruit growing stories, tips and tricks.

Want to know where you can purchase these trees?  Two good sources are 20+ Seed Companies and Nurseries to order from this Spring.

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Kristen Raney

Kristen is a former farm kid turned urban gardener who owns the popular gardening website, Shifting Roots.  She is obsessed with growing flowers and pushing the limits of what can be grown in her zone 3b garden.  She also loves to grow tomatoes, but oddly enough, dislikes eating them raw.

25 Comments
Filed Under: Backyard Florist, Fruit Season, Gardening Tagged: apple, apricot, berries, blackberry, blueberry, crab apple, elderberry cranberry, goji berry, hardy fruit trees, haskap, kiwi, nanking cherry, pear, plum, raspberry, sand cherry, sour cherry, strawberry, wolf berry

About Kristen Raney

Kristen is a former farm kid turned urban gardener who owns the popular gardening website, Shifting Roots.  She is obsessed with growing flowers and pushing the limits of what can be grown in her zone 3b garden.  She also loves to grow tomatoes, but oddly enough, dislikes eating them raw.

Comments

  1. Naomi Suchan says

    January 31, 2018 at 10:52 am

    Oh my goodness, this was so helpful! First of all, I had no idea that the Romeo cherry tree we planted last fall were sour cherries, not the regular kind......good to know.... Also, love the apple suggestions! Now we've only planted one cherry tree - will the apples fertilize it if they bloom at the same time? Lastly, strawberries in a container - I'm totally going to do this too!! Maybe this is too many plans for a beginner gardener in her first season.....oh well... Also, is this too many questions - should I post them on the Growing Roots Gardening page instead?
    Reply
    • Kristen Raney says

      January 31, 2018 at 11:50 pm

      I found the strawberries in a container pretty easy to manage, although I wasn't happy with how many I actually got. I might try a non-everbearing variety this year.
      Reply
    • Sarah and Steve Masterman says

      October 13, 2019 at 12:55 am

      Apples won't pollinate cherries, but Romeo cherries should be self-fertile (should be able to pollinate themselves).
      Reply
  2. Ana says

    March 22, 2018 at 9:57 am

    So helpful, we live in southern Ontario, Canada. Was wondering were would be the best place to buy some blackberries or raspberries thank you. Don't like Wal-Mart
    Reply
    • Kristen Raney says

      March 22, 2018 at 10:40 pm

      These are best to get at your local greenhouse or nursery. You can also order online. I personally use T&T because I they are in the Prairies and so am I. Here's a list of Ontario fruit tree nurseries: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/resource/trnursry.htm
      Reply
  3. Michelle says

    August 1, 2018 at 1:05 pm

    There are so many more fruits and berries that actually grow on the Prairies than I realized! ...I think I need more acres to expand my orchard...
    Reply
    • Kristen Raney says

      August 2, 2018 at 10:34 am

      Right?! I was surprised we could grow so many things here, and I've even run across another berry or two since I wrote this post in January.
      Reply
  4. leon shean says

    August 27, 2018 at 2:35 pm

    thanks for the info, I'm from upstate new york originally,so I like berries, I always thought ontario Canada had the best cherries, but I'm now in so. california, and have been planting fruit trees of all kinds kinds which would be good in your area is the Wolf River apple, good in cold climates and is as large as a softball or bigger. I'm trying them out here in the mild so. california climate.
    Reply
    • Kristen Raney says

      August 28, 2018 at 7:48 am

      Thanks for the recommendation! They sound wonderful.
      Reply
  5. Jan says

    September 4, 2018 at 5:19 am

    I didnt recognize alot of the apples you mentioned. My favorite for baking (&hard to find) are Northern Spye & when those aren't available I like Granny Smith.
    Reply
  6. Ashleigh says

    December 3, 2018 at 2:09 pm

    Wow! Thank you so much for all this info, it's so helpful to have advice specific to our area and stores listed that I actually already shop at!
    Reply
    • Kristen Raney says

      December 4, 2018 at 9:05 am

      Glad you liked this post! People like you are one of the reasons I started writing about gardening. I always found it so frustrating that there seemed to be nowhere on the internet that had gardening advice for the Canadian Prairies.
      Reply
  7. Jim Eyre says

    December 5, 2018 at 7:57 pm

    Thanks for the post. I'm always on the look out for zone 3 fruit trees.. I live in Wyoming in a definite zone 3 area at about 6700' and a 90 day growing season, usually. You didn't mention native plum. I use them for a windbreak. It seems that they are not uniform in how they ripen or taste. But when the good ones get ripe they are delicious and make fabulous jelly. I have apples, apricots, plums, pears, chokecherries, currants, bush cherries gooseberries,haskap honeysuckle, saskatoons, blueberries (they struggle), strawberries and raspberries. They are all relatively new plantings so only some of them have produced. Some I've prevented production to give them a little more time to establish. I thought I had most Zone 3 fruiting plants. You've mentioned several I don't have. I'll be looking into some of them. Thank you. I doubt the figs or grapes will survive here. I would love to grow grapes. That'll be a future experiment.
    Reply
    • Kristen Raney says

      December 6, 2018 at 9:16 am

      If you do try the figs or grapes, I'd be very interested to hear your results. Most of the varieties I've mentioned were developed in the Canadian Prairies, and a few in Quebec. Your conditions in Wyoming would be quite different from what I'm used to here, although our short growing season is pretty similar.
      Reply
    • Angelika says

      June 13, 2019 at 8:49 pm

      I live in Calgary, Alberta and I have heard that you can grow grapes in colder climates including here in Zone 3 as long as you shelter the grapes from the northern winds. I was thinking of planting some next to my super large pine tree. It would be sheltered from the northern winds then. I haven't tried it yet, but it is something to think about. I was told that as long it is protected from the coldest winds, and wrap them in burlap for the winter, it can be done! Hope this helps?
      Reply
  8. Sydney Lee says

    April 10, 2019 at 2:34 pm

    Thank you for this awesome article! I live in Minnesota and I love the idea of being able to grow fruit right in my backyard. I've never even heard of some of these fruits but I would love to give them a try.
    Reply
  9. Shannon says

    May 11, 2019 at 12:47 pm

    Thanks so much for the info! I'm in rural Sask and was wondering what to get from my local nursery today. Found your article just in time
    Reply
  10. Jamie says

    May 21, 2019 at 6:23 pm

    DO you just leave your strawberries in a container outside all winter that would be easier for me than making a bed I live in southern ontario
    Reply
    • Kristen Raney says

      May 21, 2019 at 10:23 pm

      Your winter might be mild enough that you could leave them outside, but I would still bring them into a garage or some slightly warmer space--even if it was unheated.
      Reply
  11. Angelika says

    June 13, 2019 at 8:43 pm

    Hello Kristen, we are in Calgary, Alberta, not far from you, we are practically neighbors! Lol! I am new to the in-ground gardening world. We use to live in an upper condo and I container gardened for years. Other residents in the complex use to love to pass by my space and take in all the plantings I had. Now we moved to a house with a front and back yard! Oh my what a job. I am trying to make it mine, I believe in having flowers out front with some hedges that produce berries for the wildlife. Then, in the back yard it's all ours! I have planted raspberries, blueberries, gooseberries, and strawberries. I also have my vegetables planted in Sterilite containers of all colors to brighten up my space. I've grown cucumbers, tomatoes, peas, beans, carrots, lettuce, green onions, and tons of different herbs! Lots of work, but also lots of fun. My partner and granddaughter keeps picking them before I get enough to make something with it! My granddaughter is 5 years old. Your post is so enlightening for me. I want to plant more fruits and grapes and... but, I hesitate because I've never had any of them before and don't even know where to start. I am limited with space in the back yard. Any suggestions where to start?
    Reply
    • Kristen Raney says

      June 17, 2019 at 10:46 pm

      Start with raspberries and haskaps. Easy to grow and the canes/bushes don't have to take up too much space. I personally am partial to a sour cherry tree if you have enough space.
      Reply
  12. Thomas Byng says

    August 23, 2019 at 5:30 pm

    Hello I have a 100ac. in northern Ontario and i want to build a forest garden, that include at least 30 different varieties of fruit trees. As many herbs and spices as I can. In Minden zone 3
    Reply
    • Thomas Byng says

      August 23, 2019 at 5:34 pm

      Sorry, also perennials, vine fruit as well as grapes, I am looking for recommendatons Thank you Thomas
      Reply
  13. Chandra-Lee Curry says

    November 28, 2019 at 10:33 pm

    I had to do a double take! Kristin Raney! Well, I'm extra happy I've subscribed to your site 😊. AND, your list is so inspiring! I have visions of a berry and fruit-filled yard all summer long!
    Reply
    • Kristen Raney says

      November 30, 2019 at 8:29 am

      Chandra!! I'm so glad you found me, what are you up to these days? As you can see, I've found my second career :-)
      Reply

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Welcome!

Hi, I'm Kristen and I help new gardeners learn to grow their own vegetables and beautify their yards. I also share recipes that use all that delicious garden produce. Grab a coffee (and your gardening gloves) and join me for gardening tips, simple recipes, and the occasional DIY, all from the lovely city of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

P.S. First time gardener? You'll want to download the quick start gardening guide below!

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  • Cranberry Butter Tarts
  • 10 Easiest Annual Cut Flowers to Grow From Seed and 2 to Avoid
  • Why Won’t My Christmas Cactus Bloom? (And What to Do About it)
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Welcome!

Hi, I’m Kristen and I help new gardeners learn to grow their own vegetables and beautify their yards. I also share recipes that use all that delicious garden produce. Grab a coffee (and your gardening gloves) and join me for gardening tips, simple recipes, and the occasional DIY, all from the lovely city of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

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Instagram post 2196671569572144940_2204272319 The Christmas baking tray wouldn't be complete without a batch of butter tarts! (Well, at least in Canada 🍁. . . )  I personally love butter tarts with or without nuts or raisins, but I think I love this cranberry version the best of all.⁠
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I'm curious, are you team plain, nuts, raisins, or cranberry butter tart?⁠
⁠
Whatever version you choose, I love making butter tarts because they look fancy, but they're super fast and easy to make--perfect for those who don't do a lot of baking the rest of the year.⁠
⁠
Here's the recipe. . . ⁠
⁠
1/2 cup butter ⁠
1 beaten egg⁠
1 cup brown sugar ⁠
1 tbsp flour⁠
1 tsp vanilla⁠
2 tbsp cream⁠
1 cup dried cranberries ⁠
16 tart pastry shells⁠
⁠
Combine all ingredients (except shells) into a med high pot. Stir until combined and melted and remove from heat when boiled. Fill tart shells. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes. Cool and serve.
Instagram post 2195916441484264107_2204272319 The 12 Days of Christmas Baking: Day 9⁠
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You know what is always one of the first things to go on the baking trays?  Anything with cream cheese.  These mocha mint cheesecake bites will help keep you awake at the party, and be a hit with your guests.⁠
⁠
1 box of oreos (36 cookies),⁠
1/2 cup melted butter,⁠
2 envelopes powdered whip topping,⁠
1/2 cup milk,⁠
1/2 cup cold brew coffee⁠
2 bricks cream cheese⁠
4 crushed candy canes⁠
Instructions⁠
⁠
Pulse Oreo cookies in a food processor until they are fine crumbs. Stir in melted butter and distribute amongst two lined muffin tins.⁠
Whip two envelopes of powdered whip topping with milk and cold brew coffee. Do not substitute regular whipping cream or all coffee with the powdered whip topping--it will not work!! Set aside.⁠
Whip cream cheese with a small amount of the whipped cream mixture until smooth. Add in the rest of the whipped cream mixture. Spoon overtop of oreo mixture.⁠
Crush four candy canes and sprinkle on top. Crushed Coffee Crisp tastes great too!⁠
⁠
P.S. If you don't like coffee, just replace the cold brew coffee with more milk. ⁠
P.P.S. If you don't have cold brew coffee on hand, brew regular coffee at twice the regular strength.
Instagram post 2195191325988479835_2204272319 DAY 8:  12 Days of Christmas Baking⁠
⁠
Let's take a small break from recipes today and discuss what makes a good baking tray.  The key is in the mix, and in the decor.  The goal of the baking tray is to be as appealing to as many people as possible.  Aim for 4-7 different types of baking.  I personally like to have the following types of goodies in mine: ⁠
⁠
✅One decorated cookie, like gingerbread or sugar cookies⁠
✅One chocolate-based item⁠
✅One item that contains jam or fruit⁠
✅One square⁠
✅Shortbread or one shortbread-based goodie⁠
✅One kid-friendly item⁠
and finally, if no one who will be eating the tray has any allergies. . .⁠
✅One thing that contains nuts⁠
⁠
You want to have a variety of different flavours and textures so that you keep your guests coming back for more.  And yes, I may have over-thought this a little bit!⁠
⁠
What's that one thing you hope will be on a baking tray?⁠
⁠
I always go for the shortbread!⁠
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#bakingtray #christmasbaking #dainties #bakingaddition #bakinglover #bakinglovers #thefeedfeedbaking #christmastraditions
Instagram post 2194827779875063954_2204272319 This is me about three-almost-four years ago.  I had just done an interview for a self-love blog by @naomizurv . I was at an interesting place in my life because I was starting this blog, we had finally received Dominic’s Autism diagnosis, and my husband and I had decided that as much as we wanted more kids, it seemed we were destined to be a family of three.  This picture (and interview) was all about accepting life as it was and choosing to make the best of it.  Most of the time I was very happy, but there were times where acceptance only got me so far.  Friends kept having second and third babies, and while I was happy for them, I was sad for me.  Then last February—almost 7 years since Dominic was born—-we had our miracle second baby.  This May, we’ll be having a third surprise miracle baby. 
I’ve been really struggling with breaking the news on social.  While I am over-the-moon to be a Mom for the third time, I also keenly remember the woman in this photo who would have cried and felt bad for a week if I heard this news about someone else.  I also feel like every time I tell people about this pregnancy, they look at me like I’m crazy or are kind of making fun of me.  Just because this was not the timing I would have picked doesn’t mean this baby is any less special, loved, or fiercely wanted.  And while I’m very nervous about handling two babies 15 months apart, I know that it will be worth it to hold my baby I never even dared to dream of.

So there.  I’ve spilled the beans.  Now maybe I can show my face on social media again.  But if not, you know I’m just over here trying to wrap my head around some very big (and good!!) life changes.
Instagram post 2194466595210828187_2204272319 DAY 7: 12 days of Christmas Baking⁠
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So why am I showing you cinnamon buns that aren't cooked?  To prove how much delectable sauce will be at the bottom of this version. . . obviously. 😉⁠
⁠
You can make this cinnamon bun recipe the night before, then set it in the fridge to rise overnight.  Then all you have to do in the morning is heat the oven, cook the cinnamon buns while everyone is unwrapping presents, and they'll be fresh, hot, and ready by the time you're done.⁠
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I also like to save a bit of the sauce and pour it over the cinnamon buns right when they come out of the oven.⁠
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Ingredients:⁠
1 tbsp yeast,⁠
1 tbsp sugar,⁠
1 cup warm water,⁠
2 eggs,⁠
5 cups flour,⁠
pinch of salt,⁠
cinnamon for sprinkling,⁠
brown sugar for sprinkling,⁠
1/2 cup melted butter for rolls,⁠
1 cup cream,⁠
1 cup brown sugar,⁠
1 cup butter.⁠
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Instructions:⁠
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Dissolve sugar in warm water and add yeast. Let sit for ten minutes. Whisk in two eggs. Add flour one cup at a time and mix with dough hook. Add in the pinch of salt with one of your cups of flour. Do not add in the salt before the flour, as it can make the yeast less effective. Let the dough rise in a greased bowl for 60-90 minutes, or until doubled. If it is cold outside, let rise in an oven that has been warmed up and turned off.⁠
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To make sauce, combine the cream, brown sugar, and butter in a sauce pan and mix until combined. Do not boil.⁠
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When the dough has doubled, punch down and divide into 4 smaller balls. Roll out into a rectangle. Spread over some of the melted butter. Sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon. Roll up and cut into pieces with a string (as shown in the photo above). Set in a greased pie plate or casserole dish and pour in some sauce. Reserve a bit of sauce for drizzling at the end. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 15-20 minutes or until light golden brown. Drizzle with reserved sauce and enjoy!⁠
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#christmasbaking #holidaybaking #cinnamonbuns #theeverygirlbakes #homesteadingskills #urbanhomesteadskills #bakingaddiction #bakinglover
Instagram post 2193741846005217737_2204272319 DAY 6: 12 Days of Christmas Baking⁠
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Today's recipe requires a little more time, but it's the weekend, so you can do it!  This recipe is what my family lovingly refers to as Hutzelbrot.  It's some sort of combination of 3 different German Christmas breads--if you want the full story you'll have to hop on the blog and read about the research I did.  Like many of my family recipes, it's roots are German, but it definitely got North-Americanized along the way.  Anyway.⁠
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It's better than fruitcake and delicious as a breakfast bread.  I didn't really like it as a kid, but now that I'm an adult I gobble it up like there's no tomorrow.⁠
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Ingredients⁠
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2 1/2 cups dried fruit such as peaches, pears, apples, figs, apricots, prunes, cranberries, or currants.⁠
1/2 cup of raisins⁠
5 1/4 cups unbleached white flour⁠
1/2 cup warm water⁠
1 1/2 tbsp dry yeast⁠
1/2 tsp sugar or honey⁠
1 cup liquid from cooking fruit⁠
1 tsp cinnamon⁠
1 tsp salt⁠
1 tsp grated lemon or orange peel⁠
1/2 tsp ground cloves⁠
1/4 cup honey⁠
1/2 cup melted butter⁠
Instructions⁠
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Boil all fruit except raisins. Drain and set one cup of liquid aside for use in the bread recipe.⁠
Combine sugar, yeast and 1/2 cup warm water and let yeast rise for 10 minutes.⁠
Put all ingredients in a mixer and mix with a dough hook until the dough makes a nice soft ball. You can mix by hand, but it is very difficult dough to work with and don't recommend it for beginners.⁠
Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a tea towel, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size. This can range from 1-2 hours depending on the humidity level where you live.⁠
Punch down and shape into loaves. Place in greased bread pans and poke holes in the top with a fork. Let rise for 30 minutes to 1 hour.⁠
Bake at 350 for 40-50 minutes, or 25-30 minutes if you use smaller loaf pans.⁠
Notes⁠
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Rising times vary greatly depending on how much humidity is in the air on baking day. Even though the recipe takes a long time, most of that is spent impatiently waiting for the dough to rise.
Instagram post 2193017018314283996_2204272319 DAY 5: 12 days of Christmas Baking ⁠
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Shortbread is one of my favourite Christmas treats, but whenever I made it I would always mess it up.  The first time I tried to replace the butter with margarine. . . bad idea.  Another time, I chose a three ingredient recipe that was so crumbly it wasn't worth eating.  Then I found this recipe and everything was better!! Until 2 Christmas's ago when I went to Jamaica and decided to make them for my new relatives.  Hot and humid country + different butter= cookies that were a complete disaster.  However, we didn't throw them away and someone served them when everyone came to visit the condo we rented.  I was mortified, but my brother-in-law's family loved them, as they had never experienced North American style baking.⁠
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Moral of the story?  Don't make these in a tropical-weather country.  But even if they flop, they're still really delicious!⁠
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1 cup corn starch,⁠
1 cup icing sugar,⁠
2 cups flour,⁠
1 1/2 cups butter, softened⁠
Instructions⁠
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Mix all ingredients and spoon on to a cookie sheet.⁠
Optional: chill for 30 minutes and roll out for a cut cookie⁠
Apply sprinkles or cherries before baking⁠
Bake at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 to 20 minutes. Cookies should have the barest hint of light brown at the edges. Makes 48 small cookies⁠
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If you want the cookies to look like this, skip the sprinkles and the cherries and bake them plain instead.  Once everything has cooled, dip cookies in melted white chocolate and sprinkles.
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