Kousa Dogwood Fruit Recipes: Amazing 3 Ideas

If you’ve ever looked at the funky, spiky red berries on a Kousa Dogwood tree and wondered if they’re edible—yes, they are! And that’s exactly how I stumbled into experimenting with Kousa Dogwood Fruit Recipes.

One fall afternoon, I picked a few out of curiosity and was hooked by their tropical, custard-like flavor. In this post, I’ll walk you through some of my favorite ways to use Kousa Dogwood Fruit, from a creamy smoothie to a quick jam that brightens up toast or yogurt.

If you’re new to eating Kousa Dogwood Fruit, don’t worry—I’ve got tips on picking, prepping, and turning this wild fruit into something unforgettable.

Kousa Dogwood Fruit Recipes: Amazing 3 Recipes

Discover easy and delicious Kousa Dogwood Fruit Recipes perfect for snacks, desserts, and more. Learn how to prepare and enjoy this unique fruit.

1. Kousa Dogwood Pudding Cake

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups Kousa dogwood fruit, peeled and chopped
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease a 9-inch square baking dish.
  2. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium-sized bowl. Set aside.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter with an electric mixer on medium speed until creamy, about 1 minute.
  4. Add the granulated sugar and beat for another 2 minutes until light and fluffy.
  5. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until well combined.
  6. Add the dry ingredients to the mixing bowl in three parts, alternating with the milk and vanilla extract, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Beat on low speed until just combined after each addition.
  7. Fold in the chopped Kousa dogwood fruit.
  8. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared baking dish.
  9. Sprinkle the brown sugar over the top of the batter.
  10. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
  11. Allow the cake to cool for at least 10 minutes before serving.
  12. Enjoy your delicious Kousa dogwood pudding cake!
Kousa Dogwood Fruit Recipes
Kousa Dogwood Fruit Recipes

2. Kousa Dogwood Berry Pancake Sause

Here’s a recipe for Kousa Dogwood Berry Pancake Sauce:

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup Kousa dogwood berries
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions:

  1. Rinse the Kousa dogwood berries and remove any stems or leaves.
  2. In a small saucepan, combine the berries and water.
  3. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
  4. Reduce the heat to low and let the berries simmer for 10-15 minutes until they have softened and released their juices.
  5. Remove the saucepan from the heat and strain the berry mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a bowl, pressing on the berries with a spoon to extract as much juice as possible.
  6. Return the strained juice to the saucepan and add the maple syrup.
  7. Whisk together the cornstarch and lemon juice in a small bowl until the cornstarch is fully dissolved.
  8. Add the cornstarch mixture to the saucepan and whisk everything together.
  9. Bring the mixture back to a boil over medium heat, whisking constantly.
  10. Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for 1-2 minutes or until it has thickened to your liking.
  11. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the sauce cool slightly before serving over pancakes.

Enjoy your delicious Kousa Dogwood Berry Pancake Sauce!

3. Easy Homemade Jam

Here is an easy recipe for Kousa Dogwood Jam:

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups of Kousa Dogwood fruit, washed and cut into small pieces
  • 1 cup of granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup of lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup of water

Instructions:

  1. Mix the Kousa Dogwood fruit, sugar, lemon juice, and water in a large saucepan.
  2. Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the fruit breaks down and the mixture thickens. This should take about 20-25 minutes.
  3. Once the jam has thickened, remove the saucepan from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes.
  4. Using an immersion blender, blend the jam until it reaches a smooth consistency.
  5. Pour the jam into a jar and let it cool to room temperature. Once cooled, store the jam in the refrigerator.

Enjoy your homemade Kousa Dogwood jam on toast, scones, or as a topping for yogurt or ice cream!

Health Benefits Of Kousa Dogwood Fruit

The fruit’s health benefits include antioxidants, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory properties. Kousa Dogwood fruits have high anthocyanins levels that may help fight kidney, bladder, breast, and liver cancers.

Furthermore, the fruit is rich in fiber and vitamin C, which can lower your heart disease risk. In addition to that, kousa dogwood may also help with alleviating allergies as well as reducing inflammation in your liver and kidneys.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I am completely impressed by the taste of this fruit. I highly recommend trying it for yourself!

Please let me know if you have any questions about this fruit or about any other Kousa Dogwood products. You can also share your recent experience with the fruit in the comments below!

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Author & Recipe Developer at Naznin's Kitchen
Hello! I'm Naznin Aktar, a home chef and recipe creator at Naznin's Kitchen. Want to turn everyday ingredients into extraordinary dishes? Explore Naznin's Kitchen for a collection of recipes that are sure to inspire your inner chef and delight your loved ones.
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