Heard of spruce tips? Discover their unique flavor and uses
What's the story
Spruce tips, those young, tender new growths that appear at the ends of spruce tree branches in spring, bring a taste of the wild to your kitchen.
Their slightly citrusy and resinous flavor makes them a surprisingly delightful addition to vegan desserts.
Discover five creative ways to use spruce tips in this article. Your sweet treats will never be the same!
Syrup creation
Spruce tip syrup for sweet drizzles
A simple spruce tip-infused syrup can elevate your everyday desserts.
Boil one cup of water and one cup of sugar, then throw in a handful of washed spruce tips. Let it all simmer for ~20 minutes before straining.
Drizzle it over vegan pancakes, waffles, or even mix it into cocktails for a woodsy touch.
Ice cream innovation
Vegan spruce tip ice cream
Take your homemade vegan ice cream to the next level with the unique flavor of spruce tip syrup.
Simply blend soaked cashews with coconut milk, the spruce tip syrup you just made, and a pinch of salt until smooth.
Freeze according to your ice cream maker's instructions and voila! You have a refreshing dessert that tastes like a springtime forest in every scoop.
Salad topping
Sprinkle over salads
If you like a touch of sweetness in your salads, using fresh spruce tips as a garnish can be a game-changer.
Their bright flavor pairs well with fruits like strawberries or oranges, creating a beautiful contrast in a mixed greens salad.
Just sprinkle raw spruce tips on top of your salad before serving for a surprising crunch and burst of freshness.
It's not just pretty—it's a taste experience!
Cheesecake twist
Spruced up vegan cheesecake
Take your vegan cheesecake to new heights by adding some finely chopped spruce tips to the crust or blending them into the filling for a unique twist.
For the crust, combine crushed nuts or cookies with melted coconut oil and chopped spruce tips, then press into your pan.
For the filling, blend soaked cashews with lemon juice, maple syrup, coconut oil, and finely chopped spruce tips until smooth and creamy.
Truffle magic
Forest-infused chocolate truffles
Give chocolate truffles a taste of the forest by infusing the ganache and cocoa coating with the subtle citrus notes of ground dried spruce tips.
Simply melt dark chocolate with coconut cream for the ganache, stir in the spruce tips, and let it cool.
Shape into balls and roll them in a dusting of cocoa powder blended with additional spruce tips for a truly unique, woodland-inspired treat.