Baking with edible flowers is a delightful way to elevate your treats with delicate floral notes and a touch of elegance. However, using flowers like lavender, chamomile, and rose petals in your baking isn’t as simple as just tossing them into your recipes. It takes a bit of practice to get the balance of flavor just right, and the technique varies depending on the type of flower you’re using. In this beginner’s guide, we’ll cover how to properly prepare, store, and use these beautiful flowers in your baking, along with tips to avoid overwhelming your recipes with floral notes. Plus, we’ll share why it takes years of practice to perfect the art of floral flavoring — and how you can order the perfect mixes from The Flower Food Company today to make it easier!
Preparing Lavender, Chamomile, and Rose Petals for Baking
Before you start baking, it’s important to know how to prepare your flowers. Whether you’re using fresh or dried flowers, the right preparation ensures you get the best flavor without any unwanted bitterness.
Lavender
Lavender is known for its strong, aromatic flavor, which can be a bit overpowering if not used correctly. The best way to prepare lavender for baking is to use dried buds. Fresh lavender can sometimes have too much moisture, which could interfere with your recipe. Gently crush the dried buds to release their essential oils and flavor. You can also infuse lavender into liquids like butter, cream, or milk to create a more subtle infusion. We sell the same dried lavender buds from Provence, France that we use in our baking mixes.
Chamomile
Chamomile flowers are delicate and have a gentle, apple-like flavor. Like lavender, chamomile should be used sparingly to avoid overwhelming the dish. You can use dried chamomile flowers in their whole form or grind them into a powder for a more even distribution throughout your baked goods. Chamomile can also be infused into liquids, just like lavender, for a milder taste. Try our dried chamomile flowers in our own recipes.
Rose Petals
Rose petals bring a slightly sweet, fragrant taste to your baked goods. The most important thing to remember when using rose petals is to make sure they are organic and free from pesticides. Use fresh petals if you want a more vibrant floral note or opt for dried petals for a more subtle infusion. When using rose petals, it’s important to remove any bitter-tasting white part at the base of the petal, as this can alter the flavor. Our dried rose petals are perfect for baked goods!
How To Store Your Edible Flowers
To preserve the flavor and freshness of your flowers, proper storage is essential.
- Dried Flowers: Store your dried lavender, chamomile, and rose petals in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. Exposure to sunlight and air can cause the flowers to lose their potency and flavor.
- Fresh Flowers: If you’re using fresh flowers, make sure they’re used within a few days of picking. Store them in the fridge, wrapped in a damp paper towel, or place them in a jar with water until you’re ready to use them. Fresh flowers should always be checked for pesticides, and it’s best to use organic varieties.
How to Use Flowers in Your Baking
Using flowers in your baking isn’t just about tossing them into the batter. The key is infusing and incorporating them in ways that enhance, rather than overpower, your recipe. Here’s how to do it right:
Infusing Flowers into Liquids
One of the best ways to incorporate floral flavor without overdoing it is by infusing flowers into liquids. For example, you can steep dried lavender, chamomile, or rose petals in warm milk, butter, or cream for about 10–15 minutes. Once the liquid has absorbed the floral flavors, strain out the flowers and use the infused liquid in your batter or dough. This method gives you a much more controlled floral note, and you can adjust the strength of the infusion to your liking.
Adding Petals Directly into the Recipe
If you prefer to use the flowers directly in the dough or batter, make sure to chop them finely, especially with dried petals. Large, unchopped petals might not integrate well into your baked goods, leading to uneven flavor. Add the chopped petals toward the end of the mixing process to avoid bruising the flowers and releasing too much flavor.
Timing Is Key
Knowing when to add the flowers to your recipe is critical. If you add flowers too early in the mixing or baking process, the flavor can get lost, especially with delicate flowers like chamomile or rose. Conversely, if you add them too late, you may not get the full infusion. A good rule of thumb is to fold the flowers into the batter or dough right before it goes into the oven, ensuring the flavor is fresh and vibrant.
Balancing Floral Flavors in Your Baked Goods
Floral flavors are unique, and it can be tricky to find the perfect balance. A little goes a long way! Here are some tips for ensuring the floral notes don’t overwhelm your baking:
- Start Small: If you’re new to baking with edible flowers, start with a small amount and gradually increase it until you find the right balance. Lavender, in particular, can be overpowering, so you may want to begin with just a teaspoon or two of dried lavender buds for every cup of flour.
- Pair with Complementary Flavors: Floral flavors work well when paired with complementary ingredients like citrus (e.g., lemon or orange), vanilla, honey, or even dark chocolate. These pairings help to balance the intensity of the floral notes while creating a harmonious flavor profile.
- Don’t Overdo It: It’s easy to get excited about floral flavors, but be mindful not to use too many flowers in one recipe. A combination of lavender, chamomile, and rose might sound lovely, but too many strong floral flavors can clash. Instead, choose one or two flowers per recipe and keep the quantity minimal.
It Takes Practice to Get the Flavoring Just Right
Perfecting the use of floral flavors in your baking takes time and experience. Each flower has its own unique intensity, and learning how to infuse it just right requires practice. You’ll quickly realize that it’s easy to overpower your recipes with too much floral flavor — and even easier to miss the subtle notes that make the flowers truly shine.
But don’t worry — you don’t have to go through this trial-and-error process alone! At The Flower Food Company, we’ve perfected the art of floral baking mixes. Our specially crafted baking mixes, infused with lavender, chamomile, rose petals, and other exquisite flowers, take the guesswork out of the equation. With our mixes, you’ll be able to enjoy beautifully balanced floral-flavored treats without spending years perfecting the ratios.
Order Floral Baking Mixes Today!
Ready to start baking with floral flavors but don’t want to spend hours experimenting? Visit TheFlowerFoodCompany.com today to order our carefully curated baking mixes, made with organic edible flowers like lavender, chamomile, and rose petals. Let us help you create delicious, elegant, and beautifully flavored baked goods — without the hassle.