Edible Flower Cookies, Vegan

Follow this guide to learn how to make the most beautiful edible flower cookies along with what types of flowers to look for.

As we're approaching warmer weather, is there anything more festive than these flower cookies? I could see them as part of a dessert table for a bridal shower, easter, or any outdoor party. Just imagine them with this rose water white chocolate bark and these pistachio raspberry donuts!

Are all flowers edible?

Nope! Some varieties of flowers are unsafe to eat and commercially grown flowers are often sprayed with toxic chemicals. I like to purchase edible flowers from Gourmet Sweet Botanicals (they were generous enough to give me a discount code for blog followers // use FIRSTORDER2021 for 10% off) or from my local grocery stores. And, of course, you can also grow your own edible flowers or carefully forage them in the wild!

The best edible flowers for cookies

When it comes to selecting flowers for cookies, there are two main considerations: taste + shape.

Believe it or not, not all flowers taste "floral." Some can taste tart, citrus-y, or even bitter. Of course, you can't always taste the flower before you purchase it, so I usually reference the Sweet Gourmet Botanicals website or do a quick google search.

The other consideration is that you want flowers that will lie flat on the cookie. Some flowers have a receptacle that holds its organs and petals together. These types of flowers can be really pretty for cakes, in salads or pressed, but don't work so well for cookies.

Instead, look for these fresh edible flowers, which are my favorites for cookies:

• daisy
• chamomile
• pansy
• cosmos

The supporting elements

In addition to the fresh edible flowers, I added dried petals and sprinkles. Because the fresh flowers were so colorful, I chose muted colors for the dried petals and sprinkles. They helped add visual iterest without detracting from the star of the show: the fresh flowers.

If you're looking to make a cookie similar to these, I used these marigold petals and these gold sprinkles. Instead of dried petals or sprinkles, you could also use edible gold flecks (or silver), freeze dried fruit, or shimmer dust.

Assembling the cookies

The assembly is soooo simple. Don't believe me? Take a look at these steps:

1. Start with cookies that have cooled completely. Never ice them straight out of the oven!
2. Make your royal icing - how much you make will depend on how many cookies you have, but start with ~1 ½ cups sugar and mix in 2 tablespoons.
3. Dip the cookie in the icing. You could also use a spoon or piping bag.
4. With your fingers, or ideally tweezers, apply 2-4 edible flowers.
5. Add your supporting elements (sprinkles / petals).
6. Let cookies dry fully (3+ hours) before transferring to an airtight container.
7. Store cookies in an airtight container or plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

What cookie recipe did you use?

I followed a vegan sugar cookie recipe from Nora Cooks, but any sugar or shortbread cookie recipe should do the trick.

Normally I keep sugar cookies at room temp. Why do I need to refrigerate them?

Because the cookies have fresh edible flowers, they are best refrigerated. Edible flowers are prone to growing mold at room temperature and will also wilt more quickly.

Why do the cookies only last 3 days?

The edible flowers wilt more quickly when sitting in icing. In fact, the cookies in the photos are around 3 days. You can see the flowers are not as fresh looking as they originally were. Unfortunately I wasn't able to photograph them earlier!

How can I make ahead?

There are a number of ways to prep the cookies. You can make the cookie dough the day before or you can freeze the rolled and cut cookies with or without baking them. Just don't freeze a frosted cookie - it won't taste good thawed!

Can I make these without a cookie cutter?

Absolutely! You can use a round glass as a stencil and trace and cut with a sharp knife. If you are in the market for round cookie cutters, I have a set like this and love it. They come in handy for so many different things in the kitchen!