Easy Candied Lilac Petals

If you are looking for a beautiful garnish for spring desserts or a special touch for drinks, candied lilac flowers are a lovely thing to have in your pantry. They store well, look beautiful, and add that little extra something to cookies, cupcakes, cakes, and even cocktails.

I like to keep a jar of them on hand for garnishing baked goods for special occasions. They are one of those simple little things that make homemade treats feel extra pretty.

Candied lilac flowers are made by brushing fresh lilac petals with egg white, coating them in sugar, and letting them dry until crisp. Once dried, they become delicate little sugared flowers with a long shelf life when stored properly.

If you love decorating desserts with real flowers and adding a unique touch to your baking, candied lilac flowers are wonderful to have on hand.

Can You Eat Lilacs?

Yes, the common lilac is edible, and so are some other varieties. Still, it is important to clearly identify the lilac variety you are picking from before using the flowers in recipes.

Always make sure the lilac bushes or trees have not been sprayed with chemicals, and avoid picking flowers near roadways.

How to Choose Lilacs for Candying

Lilac season is short, and that is why I try to make the most of it when the flowers are blooming. Lilacs usually bloom from mid-May to early June, depending on your zone. Here in North Dakota, zone 3, our lilacs are usually done blooming by the first week of June.

So once lilac season starts, be ready.

Ingredients You Need

You only need a few simple ingredients, which makes this an easy recipe.

• Egg white
• Fine granulated sugar
• Freshly picked lilac flowers, removed from stems and greenery

I usually pulse regular white sugar in a food processor to make it finer. That helps it coat the petals better.

Tools That Make This Easier

Coating lilac flowers in sugar is a little time-consuming, and it can get sticky fast. After doing this a few times, I found a few tools that make the process much easier.

• Small flat paint brush
• Tweezers, or keep a towel nearby to wipe your fingers
• A stool or chair, because this takes a little time
• Parchment paper or wax paper
• A spoon for scooping sugar over the petals

How to Make Candied Lilac Petals

Step 1: Harvest and Prep the Lilac Blossoms

Pick lilac flowers early in the morning if possible. Make sure they are clean, dry, and fully open.

Step 2: Remove the Green Bits

Pull the flowers off all the greenery that connects them to the main stem. You want just the flower petals and blossoms, not the green parts.

Step 3: Make the Egg Wash

Use 1 egg white and whisk it lightly with a fork. This makes it easier to brush onto the petals.

Step 4: Brush Each Lilac Petal or Flower

Using a small paintbrush, gently brush each lilac flower with egg white. I like to brush a little on the backside too, so the sugar sticks well.

Step 5: Coat With Superfine Sugar

Next, place the flowers face down into a bowl of sugar. Then use a spoon to gently scoop sugar over the tops of the petals. Once coated, place them on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper or wax paper.

Step 6: Let the Lilacs Dry Completely

Let the flowers sit on the lined pan until they are completely dry. They should feel crisp and firm to the touch. In my kitchen, this usually takes 8 to 12 hours, sometimes longer.

Step 7: Store in an Airtight Container

Once the candied lilac petals are fully dry, place them in an airtight container and store them in a dry place away from light.

How Long Do Candied Lilac Petals Take to Dry?

Here in North Dakota, our air is not overly humid, so my candied lilacs usually dry within about 10 hours. If you live in a humid area, though, they may take longer.

Drying is one of the most important steps in this whole process. If the flowers are not completely dry before storing, they will not keep well.

How to Store Candied Lilac Petals

I store my candied lilacs in a sealed jar in the pantry. They will last up to a year, and sometimes longer, as long as they are fully dried before storing and no moisture gets into the jar.

If you live in a humid climate, you may want to add a moisture-wicking packet to the container just to be safe.

Ways to Use Candied Lilac Petals

Candied lilac flowers are such a pretty garnish, and there are so many ways to use them.

• Garnish lilac shortbread
• Top lilac biscotti
• Decorate lilac scones
• Garnish lilac lemonade
• Top cakes and cupcakes
• Decorate sugar cookies
• Finish tea cakes or loaf cakes
• Garnish whipped cream desserts
• Use on spring brunch platters
• Top cocktails or mocktails
• Decorate cheesecakes or panna cotta

Candied Lilac Flowers

Candied lilac flowers are delicate edible flowers coated in egg white and sugar, then dried until crisp. They make a beautiful garnish for cakes, cookies, cupcakes, and spring drinks.

Print Recipe

Prep Time:20 minutes mins

Drying time:1 day d

Ingredients

• 2 Cups Lilac Flowers
• 1 egg white
• 1 Cup Super fine sugar

Instructions

• Pick fresh lilac flowers and make sure they are clean and dry
• Remove the petals and blossoms from all stems and green parts.
• Whisk the egg white with a fork until lightly broken up.
• Brush each lilac flower lightly with egg white using a small paint brush.
• Coat the flowers in sugar by placing them in a bowl of fine sugar and spooning sugar over the tops.
• Place the coated flowers on a parchment-lined baking sheet or tray.
• Let the flowers dry completely for 8 to 12 hours, or until crisp.

  Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

Notes

• Use only edible lilac flowers from a variety you know is safe to use.
• Make sure the flowers are picked from a chemical-free area and away from roadsides.
• Remove all green bits and stems before candying.
• Superfine sugar works best, but you can pulse regular granulated sugar in a food processor.
• Let the flowers dry completely before storing, or they will not keep well.
• Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
• Drying time may vary depending on the humidity in your home.

Servings: 2 cups

FAQs Candied Lilac Petals

What kind of lilacs can you candy?

The common lilac is the edible variety I use. That is the one I recommend for recipes. Some hybrid lilacs have not been approved for edible use, so always make sure you know what you are picking.

Do I use whole flowers or just petals?

You want the flowers removed from the cluster and all green bits taken off. I would not recommend trying to candy the flowers while they are still attached to the stems.

Can I use granulated sugar instead of superfine sugar?

Yes, but it does not coat the petals quite as well. I usually pulse regular granulated sugar in a food processor to make it fine enough for candying.

How long do candied lilac petals take to dry?

In my climate, they usually take 8 to 12 hours to dry completely. In more humid homes, they may take longer.

How long do candied lilac petals last?

They can last up to a year or longer when they are fully dried and stored properly. Do not put them away unless they are completely dry.

Do I have to use egg white?

Yes, egg white is what helps create that hard, crisp coating when combined with the sugar. You can also use egg white powder if needed.

Can I make candied lilac petals ahead of time?

Yes, and that is one reason I love making them. You can make them ahead and keep them stored until you need them. As long as they are made a few days before you want to use them, they will be dry and ready to go.