Indulge in a touch of enchantment with these beautifully crafted Rose & Pistachio Tea Cakes! Perfect for adding a whimsical fairytale vibe to any special occasion, be it a birthday party, a Mother’s Day celebration, or a picnic in the woods.

Savor the sweet, nutty flavor of these tea cakes while enjoying their many health benefits. Add in the versatility to serve them on your porch with tea or in a forest setting, the possibilities are endless for creating a magical experience.

A Nutritional & Aesthetic Treasure Trove, below are a few of the Power-Packed Benefits of Pistachios, Lemons, & Rose Water:

Pistachios have high levels of unsaturated fatty acids and potassium, along with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory traits. They are also bursting with the fiber, minerals, and unsaturated fat that can help keep your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol in check.

Lemons are High in vitamin C, fiber, and various beneficial plant compounds. One lemon provides about 31 mg of vitamin C, which is 51% of the reference daily intake.

Rose water has been used for thousands of years, including in the Middle Ages. It’s thought to have originated in what is now Iran. It’s been used traditionally in both beauty products and food and drink products.

If you don’t have any rosewater on hand, it’s extremely easy to make. The method I used is included following this recipe.

Time to unleash some magic in the kitchen with a simple knot of your apron and embark on a culinary adventure!

Ingredients

For the cakes:

1.5 cups flour

3/4 cup pistachios, shelled

1 tsp salt

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 Tbsp cinnamon

2 eggs

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter

3/4 cup milk

1/4 cup rosewater

For the buttercream frosting:

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter at room temp

juice of 1/2 lemon

1 Tbsp rosewater

2 cups confectioners sugar

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line muffin tins with paper liners.

In a blender, food processor or spice/coffee grinder; pulse shelled pistachios until they form a coarse powder.

Combine powdered pistachios with flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt in a small bowl.

In a separate bowl, mix eggs, sugar, butter, milk and 1/4 cup rosewater.

Stir together wet ingredients with dry until smooth.

Divide evenly among cupcake tins.

Bake for 14-18 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

While cupcakes are baking, make the frosting.

Cream together butter and sugar.

Add rosewater and lemon juice.

Once cupcakes are completely cooled, slice each cupcake in half, add a tsp of frosting to bottom half.

Replace the top half and frost the cupcakes.

Optionally, garnish with lemon zest, crushed pistachios and/or dried, edible tea roses.

Buon Appetito!

Making Rosewater

The exact amount of rose petals needed to make 1/4 cup of rose water depends on the type, size, and quality of the petals you are using. Generally, you will need about 1-2 ounces of petals to make 1/4 cup of rose water.

1. Strip the petals from the stems of organic-grade roses. Rinse them under cool water to remove any dirt or debris.
2. Place roses in a pot of spring water.
3. Bring to a low simmer until rose petals lose most of their color.
4. Allow to cool completely. Strain the petals and store the extract in a sterilized glass jar in the refrigerator.

Did You Know…….

Pistachios are called nuts, but botanically pistachios are seeds. People have been eating them for thousands of years.The pistachio tree originated in western Asia, and archaeologists believe pistachios became a food as early as 7,000 B.C. They came to the United States in the mid-19th century and commercial production began in the 1970s.

Lemons are full of citric acid that may help prevent kidney stones by increasing urine volume and increasing urine pH, creating a less favorable environment for kidney stone formation. While just a 1/2-cup of lemon juice per day may provide enough citric acid to help prevent stone formation in people who have already had them.

Research also shows that eating fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C, like lemons, reduces your risk of heart disease and stroke.

Lemons are also often promoted as a weight loss food, and there are a few theories as to why this is. One common theory is that the soluble pectin fiber in them expands in your stomach, helping you feel full for longer.

Though lemons contain some iron, they primarily prevent anemia by improving your absorption of iron from plant foods.

Rose water has powerful antiseptic properties, which can prevent and treat infections. Because of this, rose water is often included in a variety of natural and medicinal treatments. One study even found that when rose water was used in eye drops to treat conjunctivitis cases, its antiseptic and analgesic properties helped in treating the ocular disease.

One of the greatest benefits of rose water is its strong anti-inflammatory properties. These properties can help treat multiple ailments, both internal and external.

Doctors often prescribe antibiotics for sore throats, but you may want to try rose water as well. Rose water has traditionally been used to soothe sore throatsTrusted Source. Rose petals and rose oil contain a number of powerful antioxidants, which can help protect cells from damage. One study found that these antioxidants had potential lipid peroxidation inhibitory effects. This provides powerful cell protection as a result.