The Spend the Night Party and the Magical Spell(Recipe: Blackberry Syrup and Blackberry Butter)
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I’m not exactly sure of the mechanism of action, but blackberries create some sort of chemical reaction that binds grandchildren to grandparents forever and ever. In order for this magical mystical reaction to occur, grandparents must feed their grandchildren blackberries. The form and composition of blackberries isn’t important. It works just as well with fresh blackberries as it does with blackberry cobblers, pies and jelly.
I’m living proof of the everlasting power of this chemical reaction. My grandmother fed me all manner of blackberry goodies. As a result, I grew extremely close to my grandmother and think about her every day. I’m sure the blackberries are responsible for linking my earliest food memories to Granny.
You might scoff at my theory but I would advise you not to take any chances if having a close relationship with your grandchildren is important to you.
Sam and I recently experienced our first spend the night party with our two-year-old twin grandchildren. The prospect of having them spend the night was exciting and highly anticipated. The thought pressing on my mind was trying to figure out the best method of blackberry infusion. I wanted them to ingest as much blackberry as possible even though I’m not certain if a correlation exists between quantity consumed and intensity of emotional attachment. I thought it best to err on the side of caution and give them blackberries in a form they would love and consume ravenously.
Pancakes and blackberry syrup for breakfast. What kid can resist? For additional blackberry protection, I threw in some blackberry butter. If you look closely at the garnet/purple sweet liquid, you can clearly see the mystical powers mingling and getting ready to jump into action as soon as they hit the taste buds of a grandchild who’s in the presence of his/her grandparents.
Time will tell if the magical mystical blackberry reaction works as intensely in them as is it did in me. I know that it’s working at some level because Sam and I are madly, hopelessly, ridiculously in love with these two little people. I sure hope the feeling is reciprocal. Blackberries, don’t fail me now!
Y’all come see us!
Blackberry Syrup
yield: approx 1/2 to 3/4 pint
I didn’t fuss over making pancakes from scratch because the pancakes serve as a vehicle for delivery the magical mystical blackberry in the form of blackberry syrup. I simply used a baking mix, buttermilk and eggs.
My husband missed the taste of maple which he feels anything called “syrup” should contain. As a result, he wanted half maple syrup and half blackberry syrup. If you’re so inclined, you might add maple syrup or maple flavoring to the blackberry syrup.
8 cups blackberries, washed
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
half a lemon, sliced
Place all ingredients in a large saucepan. Bring to a medium boil, stirring constantly until sugars are dissolved. Cook, uncovered, for at least 30 minutes. I mashed the berries with a potato masher after they got soft. I don’t know that this is entirely necessary, I just felt like doing it. That’s all.
Strain syrup through a cheesecloth. Store in refrigerator. Reheat before using.
Blackberry Butter
I tried using some of the syrup to mix in with butter but it was hard to incorporate it. Jelly or jam works better.
1 stick unsalted butter at room temperature
1 – 2 tablespoons blackberry jelly or jam
Mix jelly or jam well with softened butter. Pour onto a sheet of waxed paper, wrap and form into a log. Chill in refrigerator until firm.
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Blackberries are so good! But it is so diffcult to get them here..
Medja,
Blackberries are so special. It’s too bad you don’t have access to them.
Wish we could get blackberries here that weren’t crazy expensive. Now I want to come eat pancakes at your house! Those grandbabies are precious.
Tina,
I grow blackberries in my backyard. I don’t want to get in a situation where I can’t have access to them considering all the magical powers they possess!
Oh, they’re getting SO BIG! Thank you for sharing your voice, your recipe and these sweet little folks with us. <3
Hi Jen! Thank you for stopping by for a visit! The grandbabies are growing faster than our backyard blackberries!
Oh yummy! The kids are adorable. And I am coveting those dishes big time!
Mary Ann,
I love those dishes, too, and use them a bit.
Love the kids, too! 
Oh my goodness, those two little precious dolls are growing so fast! I have no doubt that they are madly in love with you and Sam as well and that will last beyond a lifetime! I too equate blackberries to my grandmother and to my great grandmother with memories of magical blackberry cobbler!
Lori,
See!!! The blackberries worked their magic on you, too!! Our babies are growing up so fast, Lori. Aren’t they? You and I will be talking about our great grandchildren before we turn around good.
I also had a blackberry connection with my grandma – picking them at her house and eating her blackberry jam. The twins are just darling.
I love the plate – is it vintage?
Lillian
lillianscupboard.wordpress.com
Lillian,
The plate is one of the Old Country Roses coordinating patterns. Thanks for stopping by!
What beautiful little children! I am quite sure they will remember all of the memories you are creating for them and love you all just like we loved our grandparents. That looks positively scrumptious!
Jean,
Thank you for your sweet reassuring comment!
Jean,
Thank you for your sweet reassuring comment!
Your Grandchildren are gorgeous! I bet they really appreciated this delicious breakfast you made for them. My sister is giving me 2kilos of blackberries so I’ve bookmarked these recipes to try, thank you for sharing!
Nicola,
What a lucky lady you are to have a sister willing to share her blackberries. I’d to know what you decide to make with your blackberries and how it all turned out.
Jackie,
So true about the blackberries and grandparent connection. I am extremely close to my grandparents, and have fond memories blackberry picking with my grandfather. Of course when he used to take us in the hills of West Virginia, we would spend hours immersed in blackberry patches. We were wearing long pants and long sleeves due to the thorns, and got pretty hot. The mounds of fresh blackberries were worth it of course. We devoured them all summer long in many forms.
Now a days my kids are getting the blackberry experience, but theirs is thornless blackberries in my friend’s yard, where they can promptly go back in the a/c. LOL!
Cute grandkids you have there. My brother and his wife have 20 month old twin boys (identical), and I was blessed to see my nephews this past July 4th.
Denise,
I absolutely loved reading your blackberry story! Thank you so much for sharing it!!!
Love this, Jackie! What littl’ angel faces! Tweeted and shared on FB…what fun…can’t wait til my baby Nicholas is just a tad older! xo Ally
Hi Ally! Thanks for stopping by. I sincerely appreciate the share! MWAH!
You are in store for so much fun with Nicolas.
I love this story!! My grandchildren are in Atlanta so we visit by skype.. sad, I know. I wish I could give them some blackberries.
Maureen,
I know you miss your grandchildren. Thank Heavens for skype!
I think the magic might work if your grandchildren’s mother prepares your blackberry recipe and both you and your grandchildren eat the blackberry creation while skyping.
Jackie…I’m so glad to know about this new scientific discovery! I’m going to run out and get some blackberries today! You’re a genius and should win the Nobel Prize or something!!
Val,
It’s never too late to for the magic to work!! Enjoy blackberries with your babies!
Jackie….sounds like a successful sleep over with your precious grands. I have a similar “connection” to my Lancaster County Grandma….and my Aunts also……but for me it was black raspberries. There is no substitute for my pallate or my memory……and Florida doesn’t provide them anywhere……they “come in” early July…..for now I just have to listen to what all my cousins are making.and imagine……last year my sister picked some and froze them……then made me a pie in the fall……I savored every bite. .
Shari,
I’ve heard you mention black raspberries before and I had never heard of them. Maybe I’ll get the chance to “happen up on them” at least once.
I am definitely not scoffing your theory, I love your theory! Blackberries are pretty magical in any dish:-) Your pancake syrup sounds perfect to me! I am not a fan of maple syrup, so I usually just put applesauce on my pancakes…..this would be so much better:-) Hugs, Terra
Terra,
My blackberry syrup sounds perfect for you! I hope you enjoy.