Lilac Sugar
We spend the month of June looking for ways to preserve the taste and smell of lilac to enjoy the rest of the year. Lilac sugar is one of the ways we preserve the harvest.
Making lilac sugar is a low-stakes endeavor. All you need is a jar, sugar, and lilac blooms. You can use lilac sugar in a variety of ways; baked goods, tea, and cocktails being among the most popular. Show us how you use lilac sugar this summer.
Lilac Sugar Recipe
Ingredients
For each cup of sugar you plan on using you will want a 1/2 cup of fresh lilac blooms.
Pro tip: Make sure you know how much the jar you are storing the sugar in can hold before you get started.
Recipe
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup fresh lilac blossoms (stems removed)
1/4 cup rice (this is to absorb any humidity in the flowers) or 2 silica packets.
Directions
Prepare the Lilacs: Gently shake the lilac blossoms to dislodge any insects and rinse them quickly under cold water. Pat them dry or allow to air-dry thoroughly to prevent introducing moisture into the sugar.
Combine: In your clean, dry glass jar, layer the sugar and lilac blossoms alternately; starting and ending with sugar.
Infuse: Seal the jar tightly and store it in a cool, dark place. Let it sit for about 1 week, shaking the jar gently every day to mix the contents.
Finish: After a week, sift the sugar to remove the lilac blossoms and rice. Store the infused sugar in an airtight container.
Your lilac sugar is now ready to be used.
