How to Press Edible Flowers for Cakes, Desserts, and Drinks
Making pressed edible flowers is much easier than I thought! When I have the time, I like to press them in a heavy book between two sheets of blank paper, but it takes a few days for the flowers to dry. For a quicker turnaround time, this microwave method takes minutes, is easy, and requires no fancy equipment.
LIST OF EDIBLE FLOWERS
Here are 20 popular edible flowers that work beautifully for cakes, desserts, and drinks—both for flavor and visual appeal. They range from sweet and floral to slightly peppery or citrusy, making them versatile for everything from elegant cakes and cookies, to infused syrups and cocktails.
- Roses
- Lavender
- Pansies
- Violas
- Hibiscus
- Chamomile
- Calendula (Pot Marigold)
- Nasturtiums
- Borage
- Elderflower
- Jasmine
- Orange Blossom
- Lilac
- Dandelion
- Chrysanthemum
- Bee Balm (Monarda)
- Honeysuckle
- Cornflower (Bachelor’s Button)
- Apple Blossoms
- Peach Blossoms
PRO TIP: Always make sure flowers are pesticide-free and safe for consumption before using.
SUPPLIES YOU’LL NEED
Here’s what you’ll need to easily and quickly make edible flowers for cakes, cocktails, cookies, and so many other things:
- Fresh, edible flowers
- Microwave
- Clean paper (I used a blank sheet of printer paper)
- Paper towels
- Ceramic tiles
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS
Organize flowers
- Fold paper in half and organize flowers face down, on one half of the paper. Carefully fold the other side of the paper over the flowers.
Place within paper towel
- Next, place paper with flowers within a folded paper towel.
Microwave flowers
- Put flowers within paper and paper towel into the microwave and then place ceramic tiles on top to weigh down the papers onto the flowers. In the image below, you will see how the setup should look inside the microwave.
- Microwave on medium setting for anywhere between 30 to 90 seconds, checking every 30 seconds. Flowers should be completely free of moisture.
Remove flowers
- Carefully unfold papers and remove flowers, one at a time. Flowers should come off easily, and info, put them back in the microwave (folded within the papers and with tiles on top) for an additional 30 seconds until they are completely dry.
Enjoy
- Garnish your favorite cakes, cocktails, and cookies with these beautiful flowers!
- Store dry edible flowers in an airtight container for later use.
I was on a roll making these sugar cookies for friends and family. The edible flowers make them feel extra special.
WHERE TO BUY EDIBLE FLOWERS
If you’re not growing your own edible flowers, I found some beautiful varieties at Specialty Produce when I lived in San Diego. You can also buy edible flowers at local farmers’ markets, specialty grocery stores (like Whole Foods or Sprout’s), or order online from growers like Gourmet Sweet Botanicals and Melissa’s Produce for fresh, food-safe blooms.
PRO TIP: My recommendation is to try growing your own edible flowers, because they can get expensive! I recently invested in a countertop light to grow mine year-round.
RECOMMENDED BY LOLA
This Botanical Interests edible flower mix is one of my favorites! I also really like all of the viola varieties and pansies. VIEW PRODUCT
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How to Press Edible Flowers for Cakes, Cocktails, and More!
Equipment
- Fresh, edible flowers
- Clean paper (I used a blank sheet of printer paper)
- Paper towels
- Ceramic tiles
- Microwave
Instructions
- Fold paper in half and organize flowers face down, on one half of the paper. Carefully fold the other side of the paper over the flowers.
- Next, place paper with flowers within a folded paper towel.
- Put flowers within paper and paper towel into the microwave and then place ceramic tiles on top to weigh down the papers onto the flowers. In the image below, you will see how the setup should look inside the microwave.Microwave on medium setting for anywhere between 30 to 90 seconds, checking every 30 seconds. Flowers should be completely free of moisture.
- Carefully unfold papers and remove flowers, one at a time. Flowers should come off easily, and info, put them back in the microwave (folded within the papers and with tiles on top) for an additional 30 seconds until they are completely dry.
- Garnish your favorite cakes, cocktails, and cookies with these beautiful flowers! Store dry edible flowers in an airtight container for later use.
A Note from Lola
ALTERNATIVE METHOD
You can always press edible flowers in a heavy book between two sheets of blank paper, but this method requires several days for the flowers to dry out. When I’m not pressed for time, I prefer making them this way because the flowers lay perfectly flat once they’re dry. Lola’s Cocina earns income through sponsored posts and affiliate links to products I genuinely use and love—at no extra cost to readers—helping support the site.
Lola Wiarco Dweck
Lola is a Mexican-American recipe developer, writer, and cooking instructor who loves sharing her culture with the world. Growing up in California and spending summers in Mexico, Lola celebrates her family’s Mexican recipes and vibrant culture through Lola’s Cocina.
