Lilac Sugar

Lilacs

Lilacs are blooming now in the Northeast, so it's time to make some Lilac Sugar!  

If you love the scent, you will enjoy this sugar in a cup of tea!

Lilac Sugar is very simple to make!  Over the course of a few days, the sugar absorbs the scent and the sugar can be used in lemonades, teas and cookies (or anywhere you use white sugar)!

Lilac petals are edible and make the perfect decoration for cakes.

The sugar is a mild flavor, not as strong as the scent of a freshly cut bouquet, but it has a sweet, floral tone!

The sugar is very easy to make:

1/2 c petals

1/2 c white sugar

I pick a branch early in the morning and let it sit in the sun to remove any moisture or dew.  I shake the branch well to remove any little insects that might be hiding! (washing the branch of flowers can make the petals hard to work with). 

Remove the petals until you have 1/2 cup.  In a small jar, layer the petals, alternating with sugar, ending with sugar on top.

Cover with cheese cloth and set in a sunny window for 4-5 days, stirring every day.  This step is important because the moisture from the petals can create lumps in the sugar!  The petals will begin to wilt and turn brown and dry up.  

Pour the sugar into a sieve to separate the dried petals from the sugar.  Store sugar in a tight fitting jar.  Lilac Sugar will last for at least 6 months.

Courtly Check enamel available HERE

I wish blogger had a scratch and sniff option!