When I saw this beautiful bread on Chef Tess’s blog, I had to try it for myself. I mean, what a creative way to bring major attention to your average dinner roll. I can just picture this at a summer picnic, or even a formal dinner party. Instead of passing a basket of rolls around, have each guest grab a petal!
I picked out a simple sweet bread recipe that I have used several times in the past with great success. For decorating, I used a turmeric powder to make the dye and crushed blackberries for the center. The blackberries were tasty on the sweet bread, but I think you could use chocolate chips, some variety of seeds, or maybe another dye made from cocoa powder for the center. If you have suggestions, please leave a comment, I would love to hear your ideas!
So the question is… was it a difficult process? I thought it would be but it was actually quite simple. Aside from the dough rising and baking time, it took about 20 minutes to form and “color” the flower, and I had a lot of fun doing it!

He loves me, he loves me not, he loves me!

Sunflower Bread Preparation Step 1

Sunflower Bread Preparation Step 2

Petal Dye

Sunflower Bread Prebaked
Sweet Bread Recipe
Taken from All Recipes
- 1 cup warm milk
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons margarine
- 1/3 cup white sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups bread flour
- 2 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
Instructions
- Combine the milk, sugar, and yeast in the bread machine. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy. Add remaining ingredients and start machine on the “dough” setting.
- Preheat oven to 350F
- Place dough on floured surface. Roll it into a nice soft ball.
- Transfer to a greased baking sheet or baking stone, flatten into a circle.
- Place a small dish or cleaned out jar upside down in the center of the circle. I used a small ramekin.
- Lightly brush or mist dough with olive oil.
- Sprinkle flour over the exposed dough.
- Remove the dish or jar.
- Using a knife, cut your petals about 3/4 of an inch. Then Gently lift and slightly pull out the petal, then turn it to the side. Do this for all petals and adjust them lengthwise so they match.
- Next make the dye for the petals: crack one egg in a small dish, mix in turmeric (or curry powder) little by little until you get the color you like.
- Use a new paintbrush to brush on the dye for each petal.
- In a small dish, crush blackberries. Gently spoon them into the center.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown.

I would eat this in a heartbeat!!!! Seriously!! Breads and Flower on a plate! Creative, darling!
Thanks Jesica! I think I may have to try doing another variation on this one, it was too much fun.