- Geraniums: Two Floral Families with Striking Flowers - December 15, 2019
- Festive Flowers for a Dazzling Winter Bouquet or Centerpiece - December 14, 2019
- Forcing Flower Bulbs For the Holiday Season - December 13, 2019
A fun way to add pizzazz to desserts is to infuse them with edible flowers. Adding both flavor and color, edible flowers can take a common snack and make it truly extraordinary.
Ice cream is a dessert beloved by millions of people, especially when the weather is hot. To add an unexpected twist to a traditional treat, infuse your heavy cream with lavender before making the ice cream.
Remove clean lavender leaves and flowers from the stems. Cook a generous portion of lavender in the milk for 10-15 minutes over low heat to prevent scorching. Turn off the heat and allow the flavors to infuse for 30-40 minutes. Proceed with the recipe as written. For an extra touch of flair, stir lavender blossom petals into the ice cream after it has started to solidify in the freezer.
For a dessert fit to accompany any fine meal, create custard or flan infused with basil flowers. Use the same infusion method as above to add an elegant touch to a simple recipe. With a mild anise-like flavor similar to the leaves, the addition of basil flowers makes your custard a lovely finish to a dinner party. This technique can also be used to flavor the cream for creme brulee.
Italian ice is a summertime favorite in Italy and Europe, as well as in the US. With just a few ingredients, Italian ice can easily be made at home. Infuse your ice with lemon thyme flowers or lemon verbena flowers for a sophisticated twist on a classic treat.
While one of the most popular flavors of Italian ice is lemon, the thyme or verbena flowers would be just as delicious mixed into strawberry or cherry ice. The extra pop of lemon flavor makes the Italian ice even more refreshing on a warm evening.
A traditional dessert in the Middle East, rice pudding is often made with rose water. However, rose water can be difficult to find in some smaller markets. Luckily, a similar flavor can be achieved by steeping clean rose petals in the milk before making the pudding.
Simmer a generous handful of rose petals in the milk, then strain the petals from the milk. Proceed with the recipe as written. To add pretty pink or red flecks, the petals can be blended into the milk for additional flavor and color.
Floral infused desserts are a treat that everyone can master. They are a unique finish to your meal for any special occasion. Cap off a celebratory dinner with homemade sweets that will delight every palate and help create happy memories.