The delicate blossoms of lilacs are beautiful, the fragrance is sweet and haunting…but did you also know that lilac flowers are edible? Make the most of their short spring season with these unique lilac recipes.
spring is the time to explore edible flowers
Many of the most common edible flowers bloom in spring, so now is the time to experiment if you’ve never tried them before. You can use so many spring blossoms in salads and desserts ~ even infuse your lemonade and iced tea. Today I’m sharing recipes with the most aromatic of all edible flowers: lilacs!
These lilac recipes are perfect for all sorts of spring occasions like weddings, showers, and Mother’s Day, but they’re also just an excuse to have a little creative fun in your kitchen!
Recipe: LILAC SUGAR SHORTBREAD
Aromatic shortbread cookies for your next spring tea! These cookies are made with a simple lilac sugar, an easy method for infusing lilac flavor into baked goods. The process is similar to my famous lemon sugar!
Recipe: LILAC SYRUP
Simple to make, your very own lilac syrup can be used in cocktails, all natural soda, baked goods, glazes and frostings. From Our Food Stories.
Recipe: LILAC CUPCAKES
Pretty lilac infused devil’s food cupcakes topped with a gorgeous piped lilac frosting! From Constellation Inspiration.
Recipe: LILAC LEMON GRAPEFRUIT SHERBET
The unusual floral flavor of lilac pairs well with citrus ~ this lemon grapefruit sherbet with ice cream would be a refreshing springtime treat! From Will Frolic For Food.
Recipe: LILAC 75 COCKTAILS
It’s hard to beat a beautiful floral cocktail. This spin on the classic French 75 is perfect for any spring gathering. From Holly and Flora.
Recipe: STRAWBERRY JELLY AND VANILLA CREAM BRIOCHE DOUGHNUTS WITH LILAC SUGAR
These puffy brioche jelly doughnuts dusted with lilac sugar would be pretty spectacular on a breakfast in bed tray. From Half Baked Harvest.
Recipe: LILAC WATER
Probably the simplest way to enjoy lilacs is to make this beautiful lilac water! It’s got to be the prettiest way to stay hydrated this spring. From Feasting at Home.
Recipe: LILAC AND BLACKBERRY PAVLOVAS
A floral note really adds something special to a classic berry pavlova, the blossoms are processed with the sugar to extract the maximum flavor. From Katie at the Kitchen Door.
Recipe: LILAC LEMON {MINI} CAKES
Lilacs make a gorgeous garnish–try covering an entire cake top like these afternoon tea worthy lilac and lemon cakes. They’re vegan, too! From Fare Isle.
Recipe: VANILLA ‘PETIT FOURS’ WITH LILACS
Dainty lilac blossoms are a perfect pairing with dainty petit fours for a spring tea from Rose & Ivy.
Recipe: DIY LILAC SUGAR BODY SCRUB
If you love the smell of lilacs, try making this sugar scrub infused with their scent ~ bath time will never be the same. From Lazy Sunday Cooking.
Recipe: LILAC HONEY POSSET
Lilacs are a fittingly delicate flavor for this old fashioned custard dessert from Gather Victoria.
Recipe: LILAC BLOSSOM SCONES
Lilac blossoms can be used as decoration but they can also be baked right into your recipes, like these pretty scones that would be just perfect for a special spring brunch. From Honey & Flora.
Recipe: SWEET PUFF PASTRY FILLED WITH VANILLA MOUSSELINE AND LILAC INFUSED HONEY WHIPPED CREAM
Lilac blossoms work well in a variety of infusions, they infuse well in cream, as well as other ingredients like honey! And if you take that lilac infused honey and make whipped cream with it…well, you can’t go wrong! From Lyndsey Eden.
Aren’t you wonderful finding all these fascinating recipes. I have spent ages having a good read about flowers in cooking. Some of these blogs are so interesting. Thankyou!
I love our dwarf lilac, which is not small! Particularly because it blooms a week or so after all the regular lilacs are done, therefore giving me a second chance to do the recipes I bookmarked the year before and forgot until too late! 😉
That’s so great Kelly. I hate it when I miss an important season and have to wait a whole year!
Beautiful! My lilac bush has just started to bud, so soon I will have my hands on some. Thanks for the inspiration 🙂
Well..I never ever knew that lilacs were edible! No lilacs blooming around here yet. The buds are just coming on the trees now. The scone recipe intrigues me, Sue! Thanks for putting more idea’s in my head!
Sob! I left my beautiful lilac bushes in Virginia where we lived for 35 years. And they absolutely will not grow in our subtropical planting seasons on the west coast of Florida. Sob. But I adore your blog, so staring at your gorgeous photos will have to do.
I feel your pain Alene, no lilacs here either…
I think that your blog is the best!
Readers like you are the best Barbara 🙂
What an amazing collection of beautiful recipes! I just happen to have a blooming lilac bush in my yard! You have given me so many wonderful ideas of ways to use it. Thanks Sue!
Perfect timing!
Are all lilacs edible? Love your smile!
🙂 thanks! And yes, they are. So many flowers that you wouldn’t expect are totally edible.
What a collection ! Beautiful works !
Thanks!
OMG this is wonderful! We just grabbed a bunch of lilac flowers in our street and placed them in a vase in our kitchen, the smell is amazing!
and I had NO IDEA they would be edible – I must experiment!
I bet you’ll have a lot of fun Sally, and I’m jealous, lilacs don’t grow well here, I miss them terribly!