Summer in Finland is blueberry heaven — especially when you head out for berry picking you’re picking berries deep in the forest or visiting a local farm, Once your basket is full, one question always comes up: What do I make with all these berries? In this post, I’m sharing 4 easy, authentic Finnish blueberry recipes that anyone can make — even my sister (and she’s terrible at cooking 
).
But here’s the fun twist…
Those “blueberries” you’re picking? They’re actually bilberries!
So let’s clear things up:
What’s the Difference between Bilberries vs. Blueberries?
Bilberries (Vaccinium myrtillus) do grow in parts of Central Europe, including Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and other alpine or forested regions. However, they are much more common, abundant, and culturally significant in Northern Europe — especially in Finland, Sweden, and Norway — where people often forage them during the summer.
Blueberries and bilberries may look similar, but they’re quite different.
Bilberries grow wild in forests across Northern Europe, particularly in Finland, Sweden, and the Baltics. They’re smaller, darker, and stain your fingers purple because they’re deep blue inside. Their flavor is stronger and more tart, and they’re packed with antioxidants.
Blueberries, on the other hand, are typically cultivated on tall bushes. They’re larger, lighter blue on the outside, with a white or greenish interior and a mild, sweet flavor. In Finland, these cultivated blueberries are called pensasmustikka (bush blueberries), and they’re commonly grown in gardens and on farms.
Let’s keep it real: Most people refer to bilberries simply as blueberries — and now you know the difference!
For the purpose of this blog (and because 99.9% of readers recognize bilberries as blueberries), I’ll refer to them as blueberries*.
So You’re Picking Blueberries in Finland?
If you’re picking them straight from the forest, you’re likely collecting wild bilberries — known in Finnish as mustikka.
And once your basket is full, the questions are always the same: What do I make with all these berries and Can I Replace Bilberries with Blueberries in Recipes?
Can I Replace Bilberries with Blueberries in Recipes?
Yes — absolutely!
The flavor will be slightly milder if you’re using cultivated blueberries, but the recipes will still taste amazing.
My family in Mexico, Switzerland, and South Korea all use store-bought blueberries (usually frozen ones)— and they love these Finnish bakes.
What Do I Make With All These Berries?
Here are 4 of my favorite, easy Finnish blueberry recipes — that you can make at the cottage, at home, or anywhere you want a bite of Finnish summer.
1. Mustikka Rahka
Mustikka Rahka is a simple and versatile dessert made with fresh blueberries and creamy rahka (quark). It’s light and refreshing, perfect as a dessert but also great for breakfast or a quick dinner.
2. Mustikka Rahka Pullat
Mustikka Rahka Pullat are mini Finnish buns filled with blueberry and rahka. They combine the soft, fluffy texture of traditional Finnish pullat with a sweet blueberry twist — like a handheld blueberry pie. Perfect for snacks or with coffee!
3. Blueberry Mascarpone Pie knonw as Mustikka-mascarponepiirakka
This rich and creamy pie is a favorite among locals, though often underrated. Smooth mascarpone cheese blends with fresh Finnish blueberries for an indulgent dessert that’s perfect for special moments.
TIPS BEFORE YOU START:
- Plan to bake this pie one day before your meeting. Trust me, it tastes better after it’s been cooled down overnight.
- I usually take the berries out to defrost 3 hours before baking and use the juice. If there’s too much juice, I add an extra egg to the yogurt-mascarpone mixture.
- If using frozen blueberries, add them while still frozen and mix with 2 teaspoons of potato starch (I’ve never done it, but it’s quite common in Finland).
4. Easy Finnish Blueberry Pie Recipe (Helppo Mustikkapiirakka)
A classic blueberry pie that locals love to enjoy with vanilla sauce or vanilla ice cream — a cozy, comforting treat for chilly Finnish evenings. Trust me from this recipe you will find many other variations and presentation!
And… just between us, my older sister is the worst in the kitchen — but she makes this recipe all the time. If she can pull it off, so can you! 
Which recipe will you try first? -Tag me @mexicanmomtravels on Instagram!
