17 Edible Flower Recipes That Are (Almost) Too Pretty to Eat

Eat Your Blooms!

Grow a variety of edible flowers in your garden (be sure to skip the toxic sprays, pesticides, and fertilizers!) or order them from dealers who ship them straight to your door in clamshell packages. Before going all in, however, sample a petal or two since some flowers can err on the bitter side.

If the flavors get your seal of approval, try freezing them in ice cubes for the prettiest cocktails around or incorporate them into one of our showy recipes.

Strawberry, Mango, and Rose Pavlova

Talk about a showstopping dessert! Made of meringue and topped with fruit and cream, Pavlova is the perfect light dessert. This version features mango, strawberries, and edible rose petals.

Rose Summer Rolls

Because they're all wrapped up in see-through rice paper, summer rolls are a perfect candidate for dressing up with edible rose petals. You can use any color of rose petals you like—try using pink to match the radish slices inside each roll or use yellow petals to add a little contrast and brightness. Add a double dose of flower power by dipping each roll in a soy sauce and rose vinegar dressing.

Pink Peppercorn and Rose Tea Cakes

These might just be the prettiest cakes we've ever seen! Of course, adding rose petals to the batter and pressing a few into the frosting helps, but bright pink peppercorns also play a role in making these gorgeous cakes so appetizing. Dessert doesn't get much more beautiful than this.

Viola Candy Bark

Spring desserts don't get any easier (or garden-inspired gorgeous) than this five-ingredient viola candy bark. Just melt chocolate, candy coating, and shortening, then stir in lavender oil. Spread onto a baking sheet and sprinkle with viola petals.

Zucchini-Walnut Cake

Edible flowers aren't limited to traditional blooms like roses—you can also use zucchini flowers (aka squash blossoms) in your recipes, too! If you grow your own zucchini, this summery recipe was made for you. Add zucchini to the cake batter to make it moist and tasty, then sprinkle bright yellow squash blossoms on top just before serving.

Zucchini Pizza Tacos

When we think of edible flowers, we usually picture recipes that are light and airy. But that's not the case with these zucchini pizza tacos. They're hearty enough to make a meal. Use pizza crusts as the taco shells, then load them up with zucchini, edible squash blossoms, and your favorite pizza toppings.

Cranberry-Hibiscus Babka

If you're used to swirly cinnamon- or chocolate-filled babka, just wait until you try this gorgeous sweet-tart loaf. Cranberries and hibiscus flowers combine to make a vibrant jam filling.

Nasturtium Poppers

Nasturtiums are edible annuals. Their unique flavor is amplified here with the help of a savory goat cheese spread. This impressive appetizer is super easy to make: Just mix together ingredients, roll into balls, and place inside a fresh nasturtium blossom.

Pansy Meringues

For a simple yet showy dessert, pipe a mixture of whipped cream and lemon curd on top of store-bought meringue shells. Or try making your own meringue cookies. Finish with an edible pansy or two.

Melon-Hibiscus Gelato

Dried hibiscus flowers take this gelato to the next level. Start by choosing your melon—cantaloupe or watermelon—then add the remaining ingredients, including orange peel, sugar, and whipping cream. The result is a creamy dessert perfect for a warm night.

Viola Tea Sandwiches

Our favorite meal (brunch) just got more beautiful with the addition of these dainty tea sandwiches. Chopped viola petals and fresh herbs add a subtle floral flavor to cream cheese.

Sparkling Wine and Roses Cocktail

We know just what your Prosecco has been missing: rose petals. Of course, just adding rose petals as a garnish isn't quite enough for us, so we also mixed some homemade rose syrup into each glass. The drink gets its gorgeous pink color from a splash of grapefruit juice—it fits right in with the edible flowers.

Asparagus with Lemon Sauce

Fresh asparagus gets smothered in a fresh lemon sauce that's reminiscent of hollandaise, and it calls for only six ingredients. A sprinkle of edible flowers or fresh herbs further confirms this dish's place at your dinner table.

Rhubarb and Rose Petal Jam

Sick of the same old jam? Add a new flavor to your morning roundup with this fresh rhubarb and rose petal jam. You need just five ingredients and a bit of patience (the whole process takes about an hour and a half).

Pink Peppercorn-Viola Shortbread

Don't be deceived by the pretty petals. These cookies look sweet, but they have a hidden secret: Crushed pink peppercorns mixed into the dough give this shortbread recipe a pleasant bite.

Herb Jelly

You control the flavor of this luscious jelly. Choose your favorite combination of fresh herb sprigs and edible flower petals, then mix with apple juice, lemon juice, pectin, and sugar.