A guide to baking with edible flowers: From lavender to rose

Baking is an art that goes far beyond the basic bread and pastries. One of the exciting and creative aspects of baking involves the use of unconventional ingredients like edible flowers. Edible flowers like lavender and rose can add a unique flavor and aesthetics to your baked goods, turning a simple recipe into a masterpiece. Let's explore how we can incorporate these floral beauties into our baking.

Using edible flowers in baking

Edible flowers are not just for garnish; they can play a major role in the recipe itself. Their subtle flavors and fragrant aromas can be infused into cakes, cookies, and other baked treats for an enchanting floral note.

Here are some tips on how to use edible flowers in baking:

• Choose the right flowers: Not all flowers are edible, and even the edible ones can vary greatly in taste. Lavender and roses are excellent choices for baking due to their sweet and aromatic notes.

• Preparation: Be sure to clean the flowers thoroughly before use. Remove the stamens and pistils from the flowers, as they can have a bitter taste.

• Infuse: One common way to use edible flowers in baking is to infuse them into liquids like milk or cream, which can then be used in the recipe.

Baking with Lavender

Lavender, with its sweet floral with minty notes, is ideal for baking. It's particularly delicious in biscotti, scones, or shortbread cookies. Here's a simple lavender cookie recipe to get you started:

Lavender Cookies

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon dried lavender flowers
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Blend the dried lavender and sugar in a blender until well mixed.
2. Mix butter and lavender-sugar mix until creamy.
3. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mix well.
4. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Slowly add this to the butter mixture.
5. Chill the dough for an hour, then bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes.

Baking with Rose

Rose, on the other hand, imparts a sweet and slightly tangy flavor that works well in cakes, muffins, and cupcakes. Here is a decadent recipe for Rose Petal Jam Filled Cookies:

Rose Petal Jam Filled Cookies

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/4 teaspoon rose water
• 1/2 cup rose petal jam

Instructions

1. Mix flour and sugar together.
2. Add butter and rose water. Mix until dough forms.
3. Chill the dough for an hour.
4. Roll out dough, cut into shapes, and place a teaspoon of jam in the center of each.
5. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes.

With a bit of creativity and an open mind, baking with edible flowers like lavender and rose can introduce you to a whole new world of flavors and aesthetics.