How to Make Lilac Sugar + Ways to Use It
Making lilac sugar is a great way to preserve a little bit of spring. As the sugar sits with the lilac blossoms, it takes on the floral scent of lilacs and a soft floral flavor. The result is a homemade lilac sugar that can be used in baked goods, stirred into a cup of tea, or saved for your favorite lilac recipes later on.
I like to keep a glass jar of my own lilac sugar tucked away in the pantry. Then, when winter rolls around, I can stir a spoonful into tea and get a little reminder of lilac season here in North Dakota. It smells wonderful and feels like spring in winter.
What Is Lilac Sugar?
Lilac sugar is simply sugar that has been infused with lilac flowers. As it sits, the sugar picks up the flavor and scent of the blossoms.
It is one of the easiest flavored sugars to make at home, and it is a perfect way to save the floral scent of lilacs for later use.
What Does Lilac Sugar Taste Like?
Lilac sugar has a light floral flavor and a delicate floral scent that is not overpowering. It does not taste strong or perfumey. Instead, it has a soft, sweet flavor with a hint of the floral scent of lilacs.
That makes it a lovely flower sugar to use in tea, sugar cookies, shortbread, or over baked goods.
Why I Love This Lilac Sugar Recipe
If you love homemade floral sugar, this is one of the easiest ways to make it.
Can You Eat Lilacs?
Yes, lilacs are one of many edible flowers, as long as they come from common lilacs or another variety you know is safe to use.
Before harvesting from lilac bushes or a lilac shrub, make sure you know what you are picking. I always suggest erring on the side of caution. If you are not sure what type of lilac you have, it is better not to use it.
How to Harvest and Prepare Lilacs for Lilac Sugar
Harvesting lilac blossoms is easy, and the best results usually come when you pick them in the early morning or later in the evening. At that time of day, the blooms are often more hydrated, more fragrant, and closer to full bloom.
I usually head out with a sharp pair of pruning shears early in the morning. The lilac flowers seem to have the strongest scent then, and the dew often helps rinse away a little dust.
Here are a few simple tips to follow when picking:
- Pick lilac blossoms at full bloom.
- Avoid roadside flowers or bushes that may have been sprayed with chemicals.
- Remove the green stems, green parts, and any thick lilac stem pieces.
- Use only the individual blossoms or flower petals.
- Make sure the flowers are fully dry before adding them to the sugar.
If the petals are damp, they can make the sugar really damp.
Ingredients You Need
This easy recipe only needs two simple ingredients:
- Fresh lilac blossoms
- Granulated white sugar
You can use any type of white granulated sugar. I usually use white cane sugar because it gives a clean flavour and lets the flavour of lilacs stand out.
How to Make Lilac Sugar
This lilac sugar recipe is simple, but it does take a few days. That is the hard part, waiting. Still, the process is easy, and the result is worth it.
Step 1: Pick and Clean the Lilacs
Pick fresh flowers from lilac bushes when they are in full bloom. Give the flower heads of lilacs a good shake to remove insects. If needed, rinse them lightly.
Step 2: Remove the Petals From the Stems
Next, pull the individual blossoms from the stems. You want the petals only, with no green stems or green parts mixed in.
If the blossoms are wet, dry them first. I like to use a salad spinner if they are really damp. After that, I spread them out on a paper towel or kitchen towel for an hour or two until they are dry.
Step 3: Layer the Lilacs With Sugar in a Jar
Once the petals are dry, mix them with the sugar in a bowl or layer them in a mason jar or glass jar. You can do alternate layers of sugar and lilac petals, or you can stir everything together.
If you use a jar, leave enough room to give it a good shake once in a while.
Step 4: Let the Sugar Infuse
Seal the jar with a tight-fitting lid and let the sugar sit at room temperature for several days. Stir or shake it every day or two.
As it infuses, the sugar may pull moisture from the fresh flowers. After about 5 days, spread the sugar out on a baking sheet or sheet pan and let it air dry until it becomes dry sugar again.
Step 5: Spread the Sugar on a Sheet Pan to Dry
As the lilac sugar infuses, the fresh flowers may release a little moisture. After about 5 days, or once the sugar has a strong lilac scent, spread it out on a baking sheet to dry completely before storing.
This step is important for preventing clumps and helping the sugar store well.
Step 6: Sift and Store the Sugar
Once the homemade lilac sugar is fully dry, you can choose whether to sift out the dried lilac petals or leave them in.
I usually leave them in because I like the rustic look of the dried lilac petals mixed into the sugar. However, if you want a smoother flower sugar, you can pulse in the food processor, use a mortar and pestle to crush the petals smaller, or sift them out entirely.
Other Ways to Make Lilac Sugar
There are a few other ways to make easy lilac sugar, depending on how quickly you want to use it.
Layering Method
This is one of the easiest ways. Simply use a clean jar and layer a layer of sugar with lilac blossoms until the jar is full. Then seal it and let it infuse.
Food Processor Method
If you need your own lilac sugar faster, you can add the sugar and petals to a food processor and pulse a few times. This helps break down the flowers and release more flavor right away.
Mortar and Pestle Method
You can also use a mortar and pestle to crush the petals into a little sugar at a time. This is a great way to release more scent and color.
Want to make Lilac Powdered Sugar?!
Simply add your dry Lilac-infused sugar to a coffee grinder or blender and blend until nice and fluffy. Lilac powdered sugar is great in shortbread cookies and added to glazes.
Important Tip: Drying Lilac Sugar Properly
Drying the sugar well is the best way to keep it fresh for long-term storage.
Why Moisture Matters
Even when the petals feel dry, fresh flowers still hold a little moisture.
For that reason, make sure the blossoms are dry before mixing them with the sugar. You will still get damp sugar for the first few days. After allowing it to infuse for a few days, I lay it on a tray to air dry.
How to Break Up Clumps
The sugar will clump, even when drying on a tray.
You can break up clumps with your fingers, a rolling pin, a mortar and pestle, or a food processor.
When the Sugar Is Ready to Store
The sugar is ready when it feels dry to the touch and no longer looks damp or tacky. The dried lilacs should also feel dry and crisp.
Some people like to use a dehydrator for a few hours for extra insurance, but I usually just air-dry mine and have not had any issues with storage. If you live in a humid climate, you may want to dehydrate.
How to Store Lilac Sugar
With proper drying and storage, lilac sugar can last a long time.
- Store it in a sealed jar or airtight container.
- Make sure it’s dry completely before storing.
- Keep it in a cool, dry place.
- Avoid direct sunlight.
- Check it now and then for clumping.
As long as the sugar is completely dry before storing, it will hold its scent and flavor.
Ways to Use Lilac Sugar
Now that you have a jar of easy lilac sugar, there are plenty of ways to use it.
- Sprinkle it over scones and biscuits
- Use it in lilac shortbread
- Add it to biscotti or sugar cookies
- Stir it into a cup of tea
- Use it in homemade lemonade
- Sprinkle it over whipped cream or glaze
- Use it in a vegan lilac lemon cake
- Add it to other lilac recipes
- Package it in a jar for a great gift
My favorite way to use it is in spring baking, but it is also fun to add it to tea when you want something a little special.
If you are looking for more ways to use lilacs in your kitchen, here are a few more recipes to try next time:
More Lilac Recipes To Try
- Refreshing lilac lemonade, perfect for hot spring days
- Lilac-infused honey, great in teas & given as gifts
- Lilac simple syrup to use in beverages
- Tender and buttery lilac shortbread cookie recipe
- Lilac biscotti, perfect for morning coffee
- Lilac sugar cookies, melt-in-your-mouth cookies
Easy Lilac Sugar
Equipment
- 1 Pint jar
- 1 Jar lid
- 1 Sheet pan
Ingredients
- 2 cups Granulated Sugar
- 1/2-1 cup Lilac petals washed, dreid
Instructions
- Pick fresh lilac blossoms and remove the petals from the stems. Discard any green parts and gently check the petals for bugs or debris.
- Dry the petals well before using. If needed, rinse lightly, then spread them on a towel or use a salad spinner to remove moisture.
- Combine the lilac petals and sugar in a bowl or clean jar. Stir well, or layer the petals and sugar in alternate layers.
- Cover and let the sugar infuse at room temperature for about 5 days, stirring or shaking it once a day.
- Spread the sugar on a baking sheet once it has a strong lilac scent. Let it air dry completely before storing.
- Break up any clumps with your fingers, a spoon, or a food processor if needed.
- Sift out the petals if you want a smoother sugar, or leave them in for a more rustic look.
- Store the lilac sugar in a clean airtight jar in a cool, dry place.
Notes
- Use only common lilac blossoms that you know are edible.
- Remove as much of the green stem and green parts as possible so the sugar does not turn bitter.
- Make sure the lilac petals are fully dry before mixing with the sugar.
- The sugar may clump as it infuses because of the moisture from the fresh flowers. This is normal.
- After infusing, spread the sugar out and let it dry completely before storing.
- Break up clumps with your fingers, a spoon, or a food processor if needed.
- Sift out the petals for a smoother sugar, or leave them in for a more rustic look.
- Store in an airtight jar in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
- Keeps for 6 months to 2 years.
