Flowers aren't just a pretty centerpiece. These 32 recipes are loaded with edible petals for a dash of sweet floral flavor to your dish. And we're not just talking desserts. All you need for these almost-too-pretty-to-eat plates is a quick trip to the garden.
Lavender Lemon Sugar Cookies
Image via Half-Baked Harvest
Not only are these sugar cookies delicious — they're a work of art! Bake them for your next garden party, or just to grab a handful whenever you want. 😋 (via Half-Baked Harvest)
Blueberry Lemon Curd Poptarts With Edible Flowers
Image via Broma Bakery
Poptarts, but for grown ups...we’re more than here for it! Yum yum YUM! (via Broma Bakery)
Flower And Herb Butter
Image via Sunset
Imagine being served bread with a side of this butter. Uh, yes please! (via Sunset)
Vanilla Cream Brioche Doughnuts with Lilac Sugar
Image via Half-Baked Harvest
We pretty much always want donuts, but these springy sweets are especially calling our names! Just note: the sugar does take at least two weeks to make. (via Half-Baked Harvest)
Fried Squash Blossoms & Sage Leaves Stuffed With Ricotta
Image via Most Hungry
Edible florals tend to be sweeter treats, but we love a savory moment like this. The texture of the crispy, fried blossoms paired with the creamy ricotta is a chef's kiss moment! (via Most Hungry)
Lilac Blossom Almond Scones
Image via holly & flora
Perfect for impressing all of your family and friends at your next event, even those who seem un-impressible. The flavors are just to sweet to sneer at! (via holly & flora)
Image via view from great island
Make this salad for a pop of color any time of day. (via view from great island)
Candied Rose Petals
Imagevia Une Deux Senses
Here's one thing we know for sure: Flowers make the best dessert decoration. And when they're candied, like these rose petals, they take dessert over the top. (via Une Deux Senses)
Dandelion Bread Pudding
Image via Show Food Chef
The only thing sweet about this take on bread pudding is the addition of fresh dandelions! This savory sister is loaded with the earthy flower, sun-dried tomatoes and gruyere. (via Show Food Chef)
Zucchini Blossom Fritters
Image via The Parsley Chef
If you've got some flower phobes on your hands, give them a taste with these cleverly disguised zucchini blossoms. They'll never know flowers are hiding inside these crispy, cheesy, herby cakes. (via The Parsley Chef)
Orange Ginger Seared Scallops
Image via Encas Récits + Recettes
Instead of your typical herbs, top these citrus-flavored scallops with fresh flowers, like hibiscus or jasmine. (viaEncas Récits + Recettes)
Lavender Dark Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
Image via A Spicy Perspective
The light lavender flavors paired with the luscious dark chocolate is everything we've ever looked for in a dessert. (via A Spicy Perspective)
Lavender Honey Grilled Chicken
Image via Two Stews
One of the best ways to cook with flowers is using flower-infused honey, like the marinade on this lavender-flavored chicken. Once you're ready to serve, top it off with the real deal bloom. (via Two Stews)
Violet Macarons
Image via Tartelette
The classic French cookie sandwich is the perfect match for taking on floral flavor. Use crushed candied violets for the cookies, then sweet violet sugar for the filling. (via Tartelette)
Lilac Scones
Image via Kitchen Vignettes
It's no surprise such a pretty flower has such a beautiful, aromatic flavor. It's extra tasty mixed into buttermilk scones and paired with another favorite spring treat: Rhubarb curd. (via Kitchen Vignettes)
Lavender Vegetable Farfalle
Image via Lavender the Universal Herb
Every forkful of this pasta is loaded with tons of healthy vegetables and a subtle hint of aromatic crushed lavender. (via Lavender the Universal Herb)
White Chocolate Rose Macarons
Image via Barley & Sage
A rose by any other name...might be a macaron? Okay, so maybe that isn't what Shakespeare wrote, but if he tasted these white chocolate rose macarons, he would've had a new muse. (via Barley & Sage)
Bellini Popsicles
Image via Honestly Yum
It's your favorite brunch cocktail in a frozen treat! Made with prosecco and fresh peaches, the edible flowers added right before freezing add as much wow as they do flavor. (via Honestly Yum)
Lemon Yogurt Parfait
Image via What Should I Eat for Breakfast Today
Let's just go ahead and call this one a big bowl o' spring. As if fresh lemon yogurt and granola weren't enough, adding a layer of grassy-flavored pansies, peppery nasturtiums and citrusy carnations takes this breakfast over the top. (via What Should I Eat for Breakfast Today)
Egg Salad Crostini
Image via Food + Femininity
Peppery, nutty (that's from the arugula blossom base) and protein packed, this open-face sandwich is an anytime-of-day kind of meal. (via Food + Femininity)
Honey Lavender Cupcakes
Image via Barley & Sage
To make this delicious batter, you might use lavender-infused ingredients. But to make them look beautiful? You'll top these cupcakes off with some dried blossoms. (via Barley & Sage)
Honey Lavender Ice Cream
Image via Kitchen Fervor
This creamy treat is easy to make with just five ingredients, including fresh lavender. Serve it up with butter cookies or fudgy brownies for one awesome dessert. (via Kitchen Fervor)
For more recipes, check out The Edible Flower by Erin Bunting and Jo Facer, and Eat Your Flowers by Loria Stern.
Ready to cook with your bouquet? Tweet us your favorite flower, edible of course @BritandCo!
This story was originally published on April 25, 2014 and has been updated.
Photo Courtesy of view from great island
