In a recent Instagram video promoting his new baking show Forking Fab, Queer Eye star Tan France charmed fans once again – this time with festive bakes featuring garden-fresh touches that prove cozy elegance is easier than it looks.
Among the cookie trays and a fab nature-inspired KitchenAid mixing bowl (which you can get at Crate&Barrel by the way) were fresh raspberries, lime, delicate white blooms, and other fresh produce that provided a burst of color and elegance. It’s a great reminder that the beauty of your garden can extend far beyond your normal expectations and even into your holiday and baking decor.
Bring Winter Berries Indoors
Naturally, during the festive, colder months, the easiest way to incorporate garden freshness into holiday baked goods is by using winter berries. Think cranberries, hawthorn berries, and even small citrus fruits like kumquats or limes that can be grown indoors or sourced locally during the off-season. Try this Gurney’s Key Lime Fruiting Citrus Starter Tree for indoor use from Home Depot.
These colorful ingredients not only enhance the flavor of your cookies and cakes, but they also provide a vibrant visual appeal that will surely elevate your holiday table.
When choosing your berries, make sure you choose some that are firm and free of blemishes. If they’re going to be on top of your cake, they need to look perfect. One moldy berry can easily ruin an otherwise stunning Christmas cookie.
Rinse gently and pat them dry before using them as edible garnishes. Of course, if you do happen to get berries that aren’t “perfect,” you can incorporate them into your baking recipe as well.
Pro tip: For an added twist, lightly sugar berries to create sparkling accents that look like magical snow on top of your desserts. Try this Ustris Powdered Sugar Duster from Walmart.
Add Herbs for Fragrance and Flavor
Edible herbs are another fantastic way to bring your garden indoors during the cold, dark winter months. Sprigs of rosemary, thyme, or mint add subtle texture and aroma to baked goods, cocktails, or even hot drinks.
Pro tip: For an extra festive touch, use the small flowers from herbs like rosemary blooms, chamomile, or basil flowers. These delicate blooms can serve as elegant garnishes for cookies and cakes and turn a simple recipe into a visually attractive centerpiece.
Style a Garden-Inspired Holiday Table
Tan France’s setup shows that a garden-inspired theme doesn’t necessarily need to be limited to food; it can transform your holiday table as well, and bring everything together in a cohesive way. Cranberries on your chocolate cake and your table, what could be better?
Arrange citrus fruits and berries with small flowering sprigs in a shallow bowl or decorative tray for a celebratory centerpiece. Add in some natural greenery by mixing in evergreen clippings, rosemary, bay leaves, or small boxwood sprigs to give your table some texture. Not only is it visually appealing, but your guests will get a full sensory experience enhanced by the fragrance.
Make Flowers and Fruit the Star of Your Presentation
- Keep it fresh: Don’t add your flowers and berries until just before you're ready to serve your meal to make sure they stay fresh.
- Use food-safe blooms: Be sure to only incorporate flowers that are edible and free of pesticides. Chamomile, nasturtium, and calendula are great options. Try these Sustainable Sprout Edible Flower Seeds from Amazon.
- Balance colors and textures: Combine your bright colored berries and lighter colored flowers for contrast. Or, try mixing smooth fruits with textured herbs and leaves.
Tan’s garden-to-table approach reminds us that festive baking doesn’t have to be complicated – sometimes, all it takes is a few fresh herbs, a handful of berries, and a little imagination to make the holidays feel truly special.
