How to make Candied Violets

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Candied violets are a delicacy that originated in Vienna from Empress Sissi’s time. 

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
Empress Elisabeth's favorite treat: Candied Violets.

The recipe that I would like to introduce today is one of the simplest ways to candy violets

The ready candied violets make an excellent addition to sparkling wine, or a fancy cocktail, giving it a beautiful color and a sweet violet flavor

The month of March is the flowering time of violets. If you have a garden, you should be on the lookout for violets this month and harvest them as soon as they are in full bloom. 

Now you can make yourself delicious candied violets and, for example, violet syrup and have pleasure with it all year round!

🥘 Ingredients

Fresh violets, superfine sugar, and water
  • Superfine Sugar
  • Fresh Violets
  • Water

See the recipe card for quantities.

🍽 Equipment

  • Small cooking pot
  • Fork
  • Wooden spoon
  • Cake rack or baking paper

🔪 Instructions

The preparation of candied violets begins with collecting and harvesting violets in your garden. Since violets do not bloom forever, I recommend harvesting a large portion at once and making candied violets or violet syrup from it in one fell swoop. 

Since I was unfortunately quite late this year, the harvest was somewhat meager. But better a handful than none at all!

Back in the kitchen, it’s time to start candying. 

Dissolve the sugar in boiling water. Now wash the violet blossoms with water and remove the stem. 

Then place the violets into the sugar solution.

fresh violets in sugar solution

Note that the flowers are entirely immersed in the sugar solution, and leave them for a day. 

fresh violets in sugar solution after 24 h

The next day, lift the flowers out of the solution with a fork.

Let them drain a little and place them on a close-meshed cake rack or on baking paper to dry for another 24 hours. Since I had a close-meshed rack on hand, I used that one. Don’t forget to place a paper towel underneath to soak up any excess sugar solution. 

Once the sugar is firm, you can store them in a well-sealed container

Done! Such a quick and easy way to make this treat!

Empress Elisabeth's favorite treat: Candied Violets.

🙋🏻 FAQ

Where to buy candied Violets

I found several places where you can buy those wonderful candied violets: 

Snag your wonderful candied violets @ Etsy! TheGroovyGroveGarden is selling them too!

At selfridges.com you can buy Candied Violets from Mill & Mortar (UK).

Candied Violets Vienna (Demel candied violets) 

Demel is the place to buy your violets if you are after real Austrian candied violets. The K and K Court Confectioner, in Vienna, still produces these delicious candied violets. Unfortunately, the transportation costs from Austria are quite high overseas. But maybe you’ll take a vacation in beautiful Vienna, my hometown? Then you should not miss a visit at Demel! 

K. U. K. COURT CONFECTIONER
CH. DEMEL’S SONS GMBH
Address: Kohlmarkt 14, 1010 Vienna
Phone: +43 (1) 535 17 17 – 0
E-mail: wien@demel.com
Opening hours: daily 10.00 a.m. – 07.00 p.m.
Kaiserschmarrn: daily 11.00 a.m. – 07:00 p.m.

Candied Violets Amazon?

Since Amazon sells nearly everything, you can buy candied violets there as well. 

What do Candied Violets Taste like?

Candied violets taste sweet and give a wonderful violet scent to sparkling wine, champagne, cocktails, and ordinary water. 

🌡️ Storage

The candied violets last up to 6 months in an airtight container.

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How to make Candied Violets?

One of the simplest ways to create Empress Elisabeth's favorite treat: Candied Violets. With three ingredients only, you will make these wonderful candied violets in a jiffy! Enjoy!
Pin Recipe Print Recipe
5 from 73 votes
Fresh violets, superfine sugar, and water
Prep Time:10 minutes
Resting Time:2 days
Total Time:2 days 10 minutes

Equipment

  • 1 Small cooking pot
  • Fork
  • Wooden spoon
  • Cake rack or baking paper

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Dissolve the sugar in boiling water.
    ½ cup Water, 1.5 cups Superfine sugar
  • Place the violets into the sugar solution. Note that the flowers are entirely immersed in the sugar solution!
    50 Violets
  • Leave them in the sugar solution for 24 hours.
  • Lift the flowers out of the solution with a fork.
  • Let them drain a little and place them on a close-meshed cake rack or on baking paper to dry for another 24 hours.
  • Once the sugar is firm, you can store them in a well-sealed container.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Violet | Calories: 23kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 1mg | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 3IU | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 1mg
Servings: 50 Violets
Calories: 23kcal
Author: Nora

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⛑️ Food Safety

  • Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
  • Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
  • Wash hands after touching raw meat
  • Don’t leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
  • Never leave cooking food unattended
  • Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
  • Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

For further information, check Safe Food Handling – FDA.

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22 Comments

  1. Could you speed up the drying process with a dehydrator, or would you recommend air drying? Looks so beautiful!

    1. Hi Alex! Thanks so much! You *can* use a dehydrator, but I’d keep it on the very lowest setting and check the violets often, since they’re so delicate. Personally, I’d recommend air drying for the prettiest color and shape. It’s a bit gentler and usually gives the best result for candied flowers. 🙂

5 from 73 votes (59 ratings without comment)

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