Last year I made Elderflower Cordial for the first time, and I fell completely in love with it. You can find my post on last year's Elderflower Cordial
here. The recipe I used was from
River Cottage Handbook No 7 by
John Wright.
As I said before that there are many recipes out on the internet, but this year I would recommend that you look at Karen's inspiring post on Elderflower Cordial,
here, which she wrote on May Day. As soon as I read I immediately wanted to make some but sadly there were no elderflowers out then. However, today I have managed to make my first batch of 2012, I hope to make several more in the next month or two and intend to freeze some,
so I do not have to resort to bought cordial again.
The latest copy of Waitrose magazine carried a recipe for Elderflower cupcakes which you can find,
here, so I bit the bullet, bought some Belvoir's Elderflower Cordial and baked the cupcakes, they were so utterly delicious that I
had to give them away or I would have eaten them all.
I was so delighted with their fresh summery taste, that I then added elderflower cordial to the icing for my birthday cake, it was scrumptious.
I hope you can get out and forage some elderflowers, but if not do buy some cordial, it really is the proverbial 'Summer in a Bottle", it is wonderful in drinks, in cakes, and whipped into cream with strawberries.
I think I'm going to try and make some elderflower ice cream as well this summer.
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| The first Elderflowers of 2012 |
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| All the makings of a fabulous cordial |
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| Removing the zest of lemons |
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| Add to the flowers |
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| Squeeze the lemons |
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| Add the syrup |
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| And steep for 24 hours |
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| My pretty little cakes |
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The recipe, with cordial, St Germain liqueur (yum)
and Elderflower tea from Fortnum and Mason |
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| Mixing the cakes |
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| And into the oven |
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| Make the icing |
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| The cordial does make it runny |
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| I think the cream cheese helps to thicken it |
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| Topped with a flower and a sprinkle of primrose glitter |
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| Perfect |
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| And this is the birthday cake |
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| Again flowers and glitter |
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| Lovely |
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And this is my favourite picture!
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Those cupcakes look so elegant, I love how the frosting pools on them. I've no idea what elderflower tastes like, and now I'm dying to find out.
ReplyDeleteThat looks lovely. No Elderflowers out here, it still feels like winter!
ReplyDeleteThank you Sue, if you can get Elderflower cordial I highly recommend it, it tastes of Wimbledon, the Chelsea Flower Show and Henley! The British Summer in a glass!
ReplyDeleteIt's still pretty chilly here Janice, but we had two dry days, so I thought I had better pick some while I could, next time may be mid-June!
Jude don't think I have ever tasted elderflower - you have inspired me to hunt some down - I need that taste of Wimblendon, Chelsea Flower Show and Henley! No wonder you had to give those cup cakes away they look irresistible.
ReplyDeleteFABULOUS Jude! Like you, I fell in love with elderflower cordial as soon as I tasted it! I LOVE these little cakes too.....just SO pretty and they would be perfect for May's Tea Time Treats challenge which is FLOWERS! Just such a PRETTY and lovely post and thanks so much for your kind words! xxxxx
ReplyDeleteKaren
They look fantastic, I like the big cake. I didn't know where to go for Elderflower near me until it was too late last year but I've found some now!
ReplyDeleteI've never baked with elderflower before but you've really inspired me to try. love the little cupcakes and the big birthday cake too! That last photo is very pretty :)
ReplyDelete