I have been dying to teach you how to make lilac sugar for a while now. It is finally early spring and lilac season is right around the corner, so it is the perfect time to share how you can make your own lilac sugar to use for your own enjoyment.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Edible Flowers: Lilacs can be enjoyed in many ways including in our food! By adding it to sugar you can enjoy the scent of lilacs in many dishes where you use regular sugars.
- Gift Giving: Lilac sugar makes a beautiful gift. Package it in small decorative jars with labels and instructions for use.
- Conversation Starter: It’s not something you find in every pantry, making it a unique conversation piece when hosting.
- Celebrate Lilac Season: It is a unique way to celebrate the short lilac season.
Recipe Tips
- DO NOT WASH: Do not wash your fresh lilac flowers. This will dilute the lilac flavor within the sugar
- Layering Petals and Sugar: For an even stronger infusion, layer the sugar and lilac petals in the jar, and let it sit for a few days before processing.
- Infusion Time: For a stronger lilac flavor, let the sugar sit for a couple of weeks. The longer it sits, the stronger the lilac flavor will be.
- Color Preservation: Lilac petals can lose their color over time, especially if exposed to sunlight. Store your sugar in a cool, dark place to maintain the color.
- Gentle Processing: Use short, quick pulses in the food processor to avoid turning the sugar into powder. The goal is to just bruise the petals to release their oil and fragrance.
- Timing the Harvest: Pick lilac blossoms when they are in full bloom for the best fragrance and flavor. Early morning is ideal, after the dew has dried but before the midday sun.
- Choosing Lilacs: Make sure to use lilacs that haven’t been treated with pesticides or chemicals. Organic or flowers from your own garden are best.
Equipment Needed
- Food processor
- Mason jar or any airtight container (these are the jars I use)
- Measuring cups
- Mixing bowl
Ingredients
White sugar: This is the base of our flower sugar
Fresh Lilacs: Unwashed, but give them a good shake to remove any bugs and debris.
Variations & Substitutions
- Herb Accent: Mix in a small amount fresh herbs like mint, thyme, or basil with the lilac petals for a herbal note.
- Organic Options: Make this recipe fully organic by using sugar such as organic cane sugar.
Steps to Make Lilac Sugar
- Prepare the Lilacs: Gently pull the flower petals from the green stems. Make sure you are using a common lilac and the lilac bushes are unsprayed, and chemical-free.
- Mix Petals with Sugar: In a mixing bowl, combine the fresh lilac petals with granulated sugar. Stir them together, so the individual flowers are evenly distributed throughout the sugar.
- Pulse in Food Processor: Transfer the lilac and sugar mixture to a food processor. Pulse a few times, just until the petals are finely chopped and the lilac aroma is released. Avoid over-processing to prevent the sugar from becoming too powdery.
- Store the Sugar: Spoon the lilac sugar into a clean jar or any airtight container. Secure the lid to preserve the fragrance and prevent moisture from getting in. Store your glass jar of floral sugars in a dry place and out of direct sunlight.
Ways to Use Lilac Sugar
Lilac Lemonade: My lilac lemonade recipe uses regular granulated sugar however, you can certainly use this lilac sugar for an extra boost of lilac flavors!
Lilac Syrup: Cook this lilac sugar down with water to create a subtle lilac simply syrup for mocktails and cocktails.
Lilac Infused-Tea: Add your homemade lilac sugar to a cup of tea as you would your regular sugar for lilac infused tea.
More Lilac Recipes
Homemade Lilac Sugar
Learn how to make this simple lilac sugar to celebrate the lilac season within your own homemade recipes.
Equipment
- Food processor
- Mason jar or any airtight container
- Measuring Cups
- Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup fresh lilac petals
Instructions
- Prepare the Lilacs: Gently pull the flower petals from the green stems. Make sure you are using a common lilac and the lilac bushes are unsprayed, and chemical-free.
- Mix Petals with Sugar: In a mixing bowl, combine the fresh lilac petals with granulated sugar. Stir them together, so the individual flowers are evenly distributed throughout the sugar.
- Pulse in Food Processor: Transfer the lilac and sugar mixture to a food processor. Pulse a few times, just until the petals are finely chopped and the lilac aroma is released. Avoid over-processing to prevent the sugar from becoming too powdery.
- Store the Sugar: Spoon the lilac sugar into a clean jar or any airtight container. Secure the lid to preserve the fragrance and prevent moisture from getting in. Store your glass jar of floral sugars in a dry place and out of direct sunlight.
Notes
- DO NOT WASH: Do not wash your fresh lilac flowers. This will dilute the lilac flavor within the sugar
- Layering Petals and Sugar: For an even stronger infusion, layer the sugar and lilac petals in the jar, and let it sit for a few days before processing.
- Infusion Time: For a stronger lilac flavor, let the sugar sit for a couple of weeks. The longer it sits, the stronger the lilac flavor will be.
- Color Preservation: Lilac petals can lose their color over time, especially if exposed to sunlight. Store your sugar in a cool, dark place to maintain the color.
- Gentle Processing: Use short, quick pulses in the food processor to avoid turning the sugar into powder. The goal is to just bruise the petals to release their oil and fragrance.
- Timing the Harvest: Pick lilac blossoms when they are in full bloom for the best fragrance and flavor. Early morning is ideal, after the dew has dried but before the midday sun.
- Choosing Lilacs: Make sure to use lilacs that haven’t been treated with pesticides or chemicals. Organic or flowers from your own garden are best.