Best 6 Homemade Cherry Blossom Recipes

CHOCOLATE COVERED CHERRIES

Steps:

• Drain cherries and set on paper towels to dry.
• In a medium bowl, combine butter and corn syrup until smooth. Stir in confectioners' sugar and knead to form a dough. Chill to stiffen if necessary. Wrap each cherry in about 1 teaspoon of dough. Chill until firm.
• Melt confectioners' coating in a heavy saucepan over low heat. Dip each cherry in by its stem, and place on waxed paper lined sheets. Chill until completely set. Store in an airtight container in a cool place. Best after 1 or 2 weeks.

SALT CURED CHERRY BLOSSOMS

Steps:

• Since full blossom is missing the taste and aroma, it's best to pick the blossoms when they are about 1/2 to 2/3 open. Cut off blossoms making sure to keep some of the green stems (see picture).
• Using lots of water, soak the blossoms to wash. Several changes of water.
• Dry the blossoms completely. Lettuce spinner works really well here.
• Add 40g salt to the blossoms, salt the container and the layers of blossoms.
• Water will start to float up. Lightly squeeze the blossoms. If you have ume vinegar you will use ume vinegar next, but if you do not have ume vinegar, then do not discard the liquid from squeezing the blossoms because you will use this.
• Lightly spread out the blossoms. Straighten the blossoms and stems and place them carefully in the container. Pour in the ume vinegar or if you do not have the ume vinegar, the liquid remaining from squeezing out the blossoms. Place a stone or heavy object to pickle. Keep pickled for 1 week.
• After 1 week discard the liquid and spread the blossoms on flat bamboo or plastic container for drying (with holes for air) outside in the shade. Do not squeeze the blossoms because the aroma and taste will be gone if you squeeze too much. The final result should be somewhat damp blossoms and not dried out blossoms.
• Gather the blossoms and mix gently with 4 T salt and bottle. Keep in refrigerator - keeps for a long time.
• To use, remove the salt by soaking in water or gently washing in water first.

CHERRY BLOSSOM

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker and shake thoroughly. Strain into a cocktail glass.

CHOCOLATE CHERRY BLOSSOMS

Steps:

• Place unsweetened chocolate in medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on HIGH, stirring every 30 seconds, until melted. Add butter; stir until butter is melted. Cool 10 minutes.
• Combine melted chocolate mixture, 1 1/2 cups of sugar, 3/4 cups of flour, eggs and baking powder in large bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until well mixed. Reduce speed to low; add remaining 3/4 cup of flour and dried cherries. Continue beating just until well mixed. Cover; refrigerate until firm. [1 hour].
• Heat oven to 300. Place 1/3 cup of sugar in small bowl. Shape dough into 1 inch balls. Roll in sugar. Place 2 inches apart onto lightly greased cookie sheets. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until top is cracked and set.
• Immediately press 1 cherry chocolate kiss into each cookie. Remove to cool racks. Cool completely or until chocolate is set. [about 1 hour]. Store between sheets of waxed paper in container with tight-fitting lid for up to 5 days.

CHERRY BLOSSOM COOKIES

Steps:

• Sugar Cookies: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and baking powder. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together butter and granulated sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy. Add vanilla, egg, and brandy and continue beating until well combined. Reduce speed to low and add flour mixture, beating until just combined. Shape dough into a disk, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate until firm, at least 45 minutes and up to overnight.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4 inch thick. Use a 2 5/8-inch square cutter to cut out squares. Reroll scraps once (you should have about 16 cookies). Transfer to prepared sheets, spaced about 1 inch apart. Refrigerate at least 1 hour. Bake until set and golden around edges, 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer sheets to wire racks and let cool completely.
• Royal Icing: In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat egg whites on medium speed until frothy. Reduce speed to low and add confectioners' sugar, 1/4 cup at a time, increasing speed to medium-high between each addition, until mixture has consistency of shampoo. Add lemon juice. Tint with pink food color until desired shade is reached. Transfer mixture to a shallow bowl. If not using immediately, icing can be stored at room temperature, with plastic wrap pressed directly on surface, up to 2 days, or in refrigerator, well wrapped in plastic, up to 3 days. Bring to room temperature before using.
• Working with one cookie at a time, dip cookie top-side down in icing to completely coat surface, allowing excess glaze to drip back into bowl. Invert cookie and clean edges with your finger, if desired. Transfer to a wire rack or baking sheet and let stand at room temperature until completely dry, at least 12 hours and up to overnight. Reserve remaining icing for decorations, at room temperature, with plastic wrap pressed directly on surface, or in refrigerator, well wrapped in plastic. Bring to room temperature before using.
• Stir additional confectioners' sugar into icing until it has consistency of toothpaste. Divide mixture into 3 portions and tint with pink food color until 3 desired shades are reached. Transfer each color to a piping bag fitted with a small plain round or star tip (such as Ateco #2, #3, or #13).
• Place luster dust in a small bowl. Stir in vodka, a little at a time, until mixture has consistency of thick watercolor paint. Using a small food-safe paintbrush, paint a tree branch design on surface of each cookie. Using the 3 shades of pink icing, pipe small blossoms on branches. Let stand at room temperature until completely dry, about 4 hours. Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature up to 3 days.

CHERRY-CHOCOLATE BLOSSOMS

Steps:

• In large bowl, combine powdered sugar, butter, cherry liquid, almond extract and food color; blend well.
• Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup; level off.
• Add flour and salt; mix well.
• Stir in cherries.
• If dough is too dry, add a little more cherry liquid until dough holds together when shaped.
• Shape dough into 1-inch balls.
• Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
• Bake at 350 degrees F for 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are just slightly brown.
• Immediately top each cookie with a chocolate candy, pressing down firmly.
• Remove from cookie sheets and cool.