Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Infused sugars – party gift
Party season is upon us. Now that we are back to gathering a lot more in person, that means more parties, which means, as guests, we like to bring a little something for the one hosting the festivities.
In my department at work, we sometimes give each other a little something. Last year I gave small jars of infused sugar.
I made the following videos back in 2018. I have additional info in the rest of today’s ‘Bite!
It’s fun, it’s easy and you can decorate those small jars. Last year it was simple, I just added clove.
This year I’m going to take it up a notch. While any sugar works, use a coarse sugar like Turbinado if you will be using wet ingredients like a liqueur or even citrus zest. You might dry your zest by leaving it to sit out overnight.
You can use dried herbs and/or spice. Sanitize your containers and make sure they’re dry to keep it from clumping. Combine the sugar and herb or spice into an airtight container to YOUR liking.
After about 2 weeks, the sugar will be infused and it will keep well for at least 3 months.
There are lots of herbs and spices that go well with sugar. Vanilla and mint are pretty obvious. You can grind up the vanilla bean and mix in dried mint. But what if your giftee is a little adventurous, then try sugar and cayenne for a kick or chili and lime? Here are more ideas from Pioneer Woman.
Perhaps your giftee is a tea drinker. Lavender is lovely and offers a wonderful aroma along with its delightful flavor. If the herb came from your own garden, that’s even better.
Thrift stores are great for finding fun containers. After your sugar has been infused, you can either sift out the herb or spice or leave it in. I like the way it looks left in the jar.
After your sugar has been infused, you can either sift out the herb or spice or leave it in. I like the way it looks left in the jar. Add suggestions on the use of the infused sugar and be sure to add that they should sift the sugar if there are large pieces.
- Sprinkle on sugar cookies
- Sweeten coffee or tea
- Sprinkle on fresh fruit
- Fold into cookie, muffin, cupcake or bread batter
- Rim a cocktail glass