Like it or not, summer is (almost) over and school is back in session. And that means packed lunches and after-school snacks! If you’re looking for a way to jazz up the standard choices, whip up some edible flower cookies. Not only are these cookies beautiful and tasty, but they’re also fun to make. In fact, they’re one of the best kids’ craft projects with flowers!
Even though these cookies look like they’ve come out of a professional bakery, they’re quite easy to make. All you’ll need is your favorite cookie dough recipe, some edible flowers, and creative energy. When all is said and done, you’ll have some sweet treats that will get the school year off to a great start.
Choosing Edible Flowers
While all flowers are beautiful, not all of them are edible! The last thing you want to do is use a flower that can make the eater sick.
Another thing to watch out for is the flavor of the flowers. Not all the options on an edible flower list are great for cookies. For example, nasturtium flowers’ peppery flavor goes better in salads than it does in a sweet cookie. The same applies to flowers such as cilantro blossoms and chive flowers.
Fortunately, there are all sorts of edible flowers that work great for cookies. Here are some of the best edible flowers for sweets.
Pansies
Fresh pansies are perhaps the best choice for baked goods, including flower cookies. These delicate flowers are flat, readily available, and the size of a cookie. Plus, they come in a variety of colors.
Panies aren’t sold as cut flowers, so you’re best off looking for a pansy plant. Fortunately, it’s easy to grow these plants in your garden. If you’re lucky you might be able to find pansy flowers at a farmers’ market or local grocery store.
Violets
Another delicate flower that works great on cookies is the violet. Despite their name, violets come in colors including purple, white, and yellow.
These dainty flowers grow across the United States, so finding them might be as easy as heading outside. If you do pick violets, make sure the area hasn’t been sprayed with any toxic chemicals.
Roses
While a whole rose won’t fit on most cookies, rose petals are an excellent choice. If you order a rose bouquet online, you can use the flowers to decorate your cookies. You’ll likely only need one or two roses to decorate a whole batch, so you can keep the rest in a vase.
Cornflower
Also known as bachelor’s buttons, cornflowers have numerous delicate petals. The most common color is a periwinkle blue, but you can also find pink and white cornflowers. Since the petals are so thin, you can place a whole flower head atop cookies.
Dahlia
If you’ve ever browsed through a collection of flower arrangements, you’ve probably seen dahlias. These popular cut flowers have stunning layers of petals that come in colors including pink, white, purple, maroon, and yellow.
Since the flowers are big, putting a whole flower on a cookie doesn’t make much sense. However, you can easily separate the petals and use them to decorate cookies and other baked goods.
Calendula
Perhaps best known for their medicinal qualities, calendula are great edible flowers. They resemble daisies and come in colors including orange, yellow, and pink. One thing to note about calendula blooms is that they’re quite sticky, so don’t be alarmed if you find them sticking to your fingers.
How to Make Flower Cookies
Gather Your Supplies
- Before you start making your cookies, you’ll want to gather all the necessary supplies.
- Baking sheet
- Rolling pin
- Parchment paper or silicone mat
- Large bowl
- Cookie-cutter (optional)
- Stand mixer with a paddle attachment or hand mixer
You’ll also need a flat surface, an oven, and a place to chill your dough.
Make the Dough
While you can place edible flowers on any type of cookie dough, cut-out sugar cookies work best for numerous reasons. First off, sugar cookies are relatively plain in flavor and color, which means the flowers have room to shine. Second, since you roll sugar cookies flat before baking, you’ll have a nice smooth surface to attach the flowers to. If you don’t have a recipe you love, feel free to check out this rolled sugar cookie recipe.
If you’re looking for a way to add some flair to the dough, consider adding some zest, extract, or herbs. Orange zest, lemon zest, almond extract, vanilla extract, and chopped rosemary are all good choices.
However, there is no rule when it comes to creativity! If you have a favorite cookie recipe, don’t hesitate to use it! Edible flowers will liven up chocolate chip cookies, snickerdoodles, and shortbread cookies. Plus, there are plenty of vegan and gluten-free cookie recipes if you’re searching for something that the whole classroom can enjoy.
Shape the Cookies
Once you’ve made the dough, it’s time to turn it into a batch of cookies. No matter what type of dough you’re using, make sure to line your baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This small step will make removing the cookies and cleaning your pan a breeze.
If you’re using a roll-out sugar cookie recipe, you have lots of options when it comes to shapes. Circles provide a clean and simple backdrop to let the flowers shine. However, don’t be afraid to get creative with your cookie-cutter shapes! Consider finding a cookie cutter that matches the school mascot or a symbol that fits something your kids are learning in school.
If you’re using a drop cookie dough such as chocolate chip, the cookies will end up circular. One tip to remember with this type of dough is that it spreads! So make sure to leave enough room between each dollop of dough.
Add Fresh Flowers
Once your cookies are ready, it’s time to add some fresh flowers!
Use a pastry brush to coat your cookies with egg white. This will help act as glue for the flowers. Next, gently press one flower onto the top of each cookie. Alternatively, you can add pieces of flower petals of a confetti effect.
This is the perfect time to get all your family and friends involved. Kids of all ages will enjoy decorating the cookie dough with edible flowers. Plus, it’s a great time to educate little ones about the different types of flowers you’re using.
Once the flowers are set, gently apply another coat of egg white. This will add a gorgeous shine to the finished cookies. If you like, you can sprinkle lightly with granulated sugar for a nice sparkle.
If you’re using dried and pressed flowers, wait to add them until after you bake the cookies.
Bake the Cookies
Once you’re happy with the look of your cookies, send them to the oven. Bake until the cookies are golden brown. You don’t have to worry about the blooms burning or discoloring during the short baking process if you’re using fresh flowers.
When you take the cookies out of the oven, place them on a cooling rack. Make sure to allow the cookies to cool to room temperature before placing them in a storage container. This will prevent any issues with condensation.
Add the Finishing Touches
If you’re using dried flowers, it’s time to add them to the cookies! Make a simple sugar glaze and place a small dab on top of each cookie; this glaze will act as glue. Next, add a flower to each cookie. Alternatively, you can cover the whole top of the cookie in glaze and add a flower on top.
No matter if you’re using fresh or dried flowers, you can add extra special touches to your flowery cookies. Edible glitter adds some extra bling while a clear sugar glaze adds an alluring shine. Remember that these steps are completely optional and your flowers are great decorations by themselves!
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