Make a Sugared Fruit Centerpiece
Victorian-inspired arrangements made with real fruit and sugar
Why make real sugared fruit when you can buy some pretty great-looking faux fruit arrangements? The answer is simple: Nothing compares to the real thing. The color, texture and weight of real fruit is discernible to the human eye, and no plastic or wax replica can capture these attributes in quite the same way.
Another reason? They’re easy and fun to make. Use your imagination in the produce aisle and gather a variety of colorful winter fruits. We suggest lemons, apples, pears and dark grapes; if they’re not too ripe, the arrangement should last a few days. (You can also arrange these fruits very attractively without the sugar so they’re edible afterward. Because of the raw egg wash, they definitely cannot be eaten once sugared.)
Now think about the plate or bowl you want to put it on. Clear or cut glass shows off the fruit best; a footed dish gives the arrangement nice height. If your table is large or long, consider extending the centerpiece by placing scattered ornaments or holly branches along each side of it.
Take look at our simple how-to recipe, and be sure to leave enough time for the fruit to dry. When it’s done, watch out for dazzled guests that try to have a taste of your centerpiece—it’s for show only!
