Homemade Candied Violets: An Easy Recipe for Empress Sissi’s Royal Treat

Step into a world of delicate charm and historical elegance with these homemade candied violets. This exquisite confection is not just a treat for the senses; it’s a taste of history, famously originating in Vienna and beloved by none other than Empress Elisabeth of Austria, affectionately known as Empress Sissi. Imagine her delight in these beautiful, sugary blossoms – a true royal indulgence.

Empress Elisabeth’s favorite treat: natural, handpicked violet blossom leaves delicately candied with the finest sugar.

K. u. K. Court Confectioner Ch. Demel’s Sons Gmbh

Today, I’m thrilled to share one of the most straightforward methods for candying violets. This recipe is surprisingly simple, requiring only three basic ingredients, and transforms fresh violet blossoms into a truly elegant edible delight. Forget complicated techniques; this approach ensures beautiful results with minimal fuss, allowing you to recreate a piece of imperial history in your own kitchen.

These ready-to-use candied violets are incredibly versatile. They make an excellent addition to sparkling wine, champagne, or any fancy cocktail, infusing your drink with a beautiful, subtle color and a sweet, distinctive violet flavor. Beyond beverages, they serve as stunning garnishes for cakes, pastries, and desserts, elevating any creation with their delicate appearance and unique taste. Imagine sprinkling them over a vanilla panna cotta or adorning a chocolate cake – the possibilities are endless for adding a touch of floral sophistication.

The prime time for harvesting fresh violets is typically the month of March. If you’re fortunate enough to have a garden, keep a keen eye out for these beautiful, vibrant purple flowers as they begin to bloom. The best time to pick them is when they are in full bloom, usually on a dry, sunny morning. Ensure you harvest them from an area free of pesticides and pollutants to guarantee their safety and natural flavor.

Once you’ve gathered your violet bounty, you can embark on making these delicious candied violets. Moreover, any extra violets can be used to create a fragrant violet syrup. This way, you can enjoy the exquisite taste and aroma of violets all year round, whether in your drinks, desserts, or as a thoughtful homemade gift.

Embrace the spring season by transforming these humble garden flowers into a luxurious, historic confectionery. It’s a delightful project that connects you to nature, history, and the simple pleasures of homemade treats.

🥘 Essential Ingredients for Candied Violets

Creating beautiful candied violets requires surprisingly few ingredients, but quality is key. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:

• Superfine Sugar: This is crucial for a smooth, even coating. Its fine texture dissolves quickly and adheres beautifully to the delicate violet petals, creating that signature shimmering, crystallized effect without being gritty. Regular granulated sugar can be used, but superfine sugar yields a much more professional and delicate finish.
• Fresh Violets: The stars of our show! It’s essential to use fresh, unsprayed violets. Ideally, these should be handpicked from your garden or a trusted source, ensuring they haven’t been treated with any chemicals. Look for vibrant, healthy blossoms. Gently rinse them and pat dry before use.
• Water: Simple tap water is all you need to create the sugar syrup base.

Refer to the recipe card below for exact quantities tailored to your desired yield.

🔪 Step-by-Step Instructions to Candy Violets

The enchanting process of making candied violets begins with collecting and preparing your delicate blossoms. Violets have a relatively short blooming period, so I highly recommend harvesting a generous quantity when they are at their peak. This allows you to make a substantial batch of candied violets or even prepare other delightful treats like violet syrup all at once, ensuring you have these beautiful flavors to enjoy throughout the year.

This year, I was a bit late to the harvest, so my yield was modest. But remember, even a small handful of these fragrant flowers is enough to create a delightful treat!

Once you’ve brought your precious violets into the kitchen, it’s time to begin the candying process:

1. Prepare the Sugar Solution:

   In your small cooking pot, combine the superfine sugar and water. Heat the mixture gently over low to medium heat, stirring continuously with a wooden spoon until the sugar completely dissolves. Ensure the solution is clear and no sugar crystals remain. Bring it to a gentle boil, then remove it from the heat and allow it to cool slightly, but keep it warm enough to remain liquid.

2. Prepare the Violets:

   Carefully wash your violet blossoms under cool, running water. Be extremely gentle to avoid damaging their delicate petals. Lay them on paper towels and gently pat them dry. Then, carefully remove the stems from each violet, leaving just the blossom. This step is crucial for the aesthetics and texture of your candied flowers.

3. Immerse the Violets:

   Carefully place the prepared violet blossoms into the warm sugar solution. It’s important to ensure that each flower is entirely immersed in the liquid. You can gently press them down with the back of a fork or a spoon to make sure they are fully coated. This full immersion allows the sugar to thoroughly penetrate the petals, leading to beautifully candied results.

   

4. Allow to Soak:

   Once all violets are submerged, leave them in the sugar solution to soak for a full 24 hours. This resting period is essential for the sugar to properly infuse the petals, giving them their characteristic candied texture and flavor.

   

5. Drain and Dry:

   The next day, gently lift each flower out of the sugar solution using a fork. Allow any excess solution to drain off for a few seconds. Then, carefully place the violets individually on a close-meshed cake rack or on baking paper. If using a rack, place paper towels underneath to absorb any drips. Ensure there’s ample space between each violet to allow for proper air circulation and to prevent them from sticking together. Let them dry at room temperature for another 24 hours, or until the sugar coating is firm and crisp. The violets should feel dry to the touch and hold their shape.

6. Store Your Candied Violets:

   Once the sugar coating on the violets is completely firm and dry, they are ready for storage. Transfer them carefully into a well-sealed, airtight container. Store them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. This will help them maintain their crispness and flavor for months.

And just like that, you’ve made a batch of stunning candied violets! It’s such a quick and easy method to create this elegant and historic treat, bringing a touch of Viennese charm to your home.

🙋🏻 Frequently Asked Questions about Candied Violets

Where can I buy candied violets if I don’t want to make them?

While making your own candied violets is a delightful experience, sometimes you just need to indulge without the effort. Fortunately, there are several reputable places where you can purchase these wonderful treats:

• Etsy: You can often find artisanal candied violets from small producers on Etsy. Merchants like TheGroovyGroveGarden often offer unique, handcrafted options.
• Selfridges.com: For a more gourmet option, you can find Candied Violets from brands like Mill & Mortar (UK) at selfridges.com.
• Demel (Vienna): If you’re seeking authentic Austrian candied violets, Demel is the quintessential choice. This historic K. u. K. Court Confectioner in Vienna still produces these delicious candied violets using traditional methods. While overseas shipping costs can be high, a visit to Demel is an absolute must if you ever find yourself on vacation in beautiful Vienna, my hometown!
  • K. U. K. COURT CONFECTIONER CH. DEMEL’S SONS GMBH
  • Address: Kohlmarkt 14, 1010 Vienna
  • Phone: +43 (1) 535 17 17 – 0
  • E-mail: [email protected]
  • Opening hours: daily 10:00 a.m. – 07:00 p.m.
  • Kaiserschmarrn (specialty): daily 11:00 a.m. – 07:00 p.m.

Can I find candied violets on Amazon?

Yes, given that Amazon offers an incredibly vast selection of products, you can indeed buy candied violets there as well. Look for brands like India Tree Candied Violet Petals for easy online purchasing.

What do candied violets taste like?

Candied violets offer a unique and delightful flavor profile. They are primarily sweet, with a distinct, delicate floral essence that is unmistakably violet. When added to sparkling wine, champagne, cocktails, or even plain water, they impart a wonderful, aromatic violet scent and a subtly sweet taste, making any drink feel more luxurious and special. Their light, crisp texture adds a pleasant contrast, melting gently on the tongue.

🌡️ Storage Tips for Candied Violets

To keep your homemade candied violets fresh and crisp, proper storage is essential. Once they are completely dry and firm, transfer them to an airtight container. Store this container in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and humidity. When stored correctly, these beautiful confections can last for up to 6 months, allowing you to enjoy their delicate flavor and beauty over an extended period. Avoid storing them in the refrigerator, as this can introduce moisture and cause them to soften or stick together.

If you decide to try this delightful recipe, I would absolutely love to hear about your experience! Please consider giving it a ★★★★★ star rating and leaving a comment below to share your thoughts. Your feedback is invaluable and incredibly appreciated! You can also sign up for our Newsletter to receive weekly delicious homemade recipes directly in your inbox. And don’t forget to follow me on Pinterest or Instagram and share your beautiful creations with me. Just tag me @combinegoodflavors and use the hashtag #combinegoodflavors, so I won’t miss seeing your lovely work!

📖 Recipe Card: How to Make Candied Violets

⛑️ Food Safety Guidelines

Ensuring food safety is paramount when preparing any recipe, especially when working with edible flowers. Please keep these general guidelines in mind:

• Source Safely: Always use violets that you know are safe to eat and have not been treated with pesticides or other chemicals. Harvest from clean areas away from roads and industrial pollution.
• Thorough Washing: Even if they look clean, always gently wash your violets to remove any dirt, insects, or environmental residue.
• Minimum Temperatures: While this recipe does not involve cooking raw meat, generally ensure food is cooked to a minimum safe temperature of 165 °F (74 °C) where applicable.
• Prevent Cross-Contamination: Avoid using the same utensils on cooked food that previously touched raw meat or unwashed produce.
• Hand Hygiene: Always wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after handling raw ingredients, especially if preparing other dishes simultaneously.
• Timely Consumption: Do not leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods, as this can encourage bacterial growth.
• Avoid Unattended Cooking: Never leave cooking food unattended, particularly when heat is involved.
• Choose High Smoke Point Oils: If any frying is involved in other recipes, use oils with a high smoking point to avoid the creation of harmful compounds.
• Adequate Ventilation: Always ensure good ventilation in your kitchen, especially when using a gas stove, to prevent the buildup of fumes.

For further comprehensive information on safe food handling practices, please consult official resources such as Safe Food Handling – FDA.