Edible Gifts - Crystallised Rose Petals

Christmas is the time for presents and there is nothing like home made ones. Edible gifts are a sure way to cheer up our near and dear ones as they can be tailor made and they are very personal. There is no other way to make a person feel more special than to give a goodie according to their taste.

I have come across so many recipes which asks for crystallised flowers especially violets and rose petals. Searching the local super markets did not turn fruitful. At last I did find a small specialist store which showcases everything that is needed for baking, decorating cakes, sugar crafts etc etc etc..... But a small packet of crystallised flowers was a little over my usual budget:(

Then I started looking for recipes on how to make crystallised flowers at home and bumped into one which was quite simple. I didn't get any pink ones so I opted for red ones. I was quite apprehensive when I made them, thought they would have an eggy smell but they didn't. They were awesome and tasted sweet.

Be careful when giving them to vegetarian friends as there is egg white in it. I kind of played around with the drying time and method from what was mentioned in the original recipe.

Recipe source: The Pink Whisk

For the recipe:
Red roses [medium ones]: 5-6
Egg [medium]: 1.
Caster sugar: 250 gms

Instruments and trays:
Clean plate:1
Paint brush:1
Small bowl:1
Large bowl:1
Small fork:1
Small forceps:1 [optional]
Large baking trays: 2

1.Seperate the petals from the stems and wash them gently.
2.Dry them completely by laying them in a single layer on a clean surface.
3.Once they are dry, then you can start the crystallising process.
4.Seperate the egg white and yolk. You can discard the yolk. Take the egg white in the small bowl and beat lightly until frothy. Keep the brush along side the bowl.
5.Take the sugar in a large bowl. Keep the fork along side the bowl.
6. Take a petal. Brush the petal lightly with egg white with the help of the brush.

7.Just lift the petal with your finger tips or forceps [if using one]  and place in the sugar bowl. Flip the petal in the sugar with the fork. The sugar will stick onto the petal as it is wet with the egg white.
8.Lift the petal with the fork and place on the tray. Finish with the rest of the petals and arrange them on the tray in a single layer.
9.If there is any sugar left in the bowl, sprinkle on the petals. Keep the trays in an airy place for a couple of hours.
10. Preheat oven in the lowest setting and place the trays in the oven for a good 4 - 6 hours.
11. After 6 hours, the petals would have turned a very deep maroonish red and completely bone dry.

Once dry , store in air tight containers and use them to decorate cupcakes, cakes or crush them to be sprinkled on pancakes for breakfast...:)

Makes wonderful gifts when packed in small colourful containers or clear cellophane bags tied with fancy strings or ribbons..:)

Note: Make sure that the flowers are not sprayed with any pesticides. It is absolutely important that the petals are dry. Test the dryness in couple of petals. If they little wet or soft, keep them in the oven for a couple of hours more. If there is any moisture then the whole thing will go bad.

You can crystallise violets, lavenders, carnations etc... or even citrus fruits..:)

I discarded the yolk and egg white after finishing with the coating of the petals. If there is any sugar left in the tray after drying the petals, collect and use in baking cakes or cookies.

Enjoy.....


Scribbled by Reva