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sugared flowers

Sugared flowers make beautiful decorations for everything from cakes to cocktails.  It is also a good way to preserve your edible flowers.  They can last for months if you store them well.  Some flowers work better than others for sugaring.  Violas (Johnny Jump-Ups) work very well as do rose petals.  Deeper colors (cobalt, red) tend to change when dried but lighter colors (lavender, pink) retain their pigment better.

Sugared flowers and flower petals

1 large egg white
1 teaspoon water
superfine or bakers sugar
parchment paper

After washing your flowers well, whisk egg white and water together until well blended.  Use a small artist's paint brush to brush egg mixture onto flowers/petals and sprinkle evenly with superfine sugar.  Lay them on parchment paper and set in a dry location, uncovered.  If the weather is humid and you have a pilot light going in your oven, the top shelf can be a good place to let them dry.
Store on parchment in a single layer in an airtight container for 3-5 months.