How to Crystallise Edible Flowers
Different edible flowers grow naturally depending on the time of year and it’s definitely worth checking which flowers are in season when decorating a cake. In summer there are so many beautiful varieties around for you to choose from, here are a few:
Borage – small delicate star shaped flowers.
Corn Flowers – slightly sweet, almost spicy, clove-like taste.
Lavender – intense in flavour and aroma.
Daylily – the petals of daylillies have a wonderful sweet crunch.
Pansy – the most colourful of all the edible flowers and extremely versatile.
Dianthus – surprisingly sweet petals.
Roses – the more scented, the better the flavour.
Viola – dainty, colourful flowers available most of the year.
If they are done carefully (it can take a while, though the kind of work many bakers enjoy, myself included) they should last up to a year. Store them airtight in a cool place and make sure they are fully sugar coated. Use them fresh or crystallised to decorate cakes and pastries for a pretty summer look with subtle, fresh flavours.
Ingredients
- 1–2 egg whites, loosened with a few drops of water (roughly 4 drops per white)
- small bowl of caster sugar
- one baking tray, lined with baking parchment
- fine, clean paintbrush – only used for food
Method
- Cut the flower stems as close to the base as possible and snip away the sepals (the green pockets on the back of the flower). Place the flower on your lined tray and use the paintbrush to thoroughly coat with the egg white. Brush away any excess egg white. Hold the flower by the stem over the sugar bowl and sprinkle generously with sugar. Turn it over and shake gently to get rid of any excess sugar.
- Do the same for the back of the flower, making sure the entire flower is coated. Place it face up on the baking tray. Repeat with the other flowers, and when you are done, place them in a cool, dry, dark place overnight or until the flowers feel crisp to the touch. Store them in an airtight container.
Customise your own LV cake
Choose and customise your own cake from our amazing selection, something for every occasion
Learn Cake decorating with us
Sign up for one of our small intimate courses
or
Choose one of our courses from our online academy
