Scented sugars are so easy to create and they're simply wonderful. They make perfect gifts too.

To make your own scented sugars you'll need some clean, dry jars with good seals, cheesecloth, plenty of granulated sugar (and other sugars, if desired), and a nice variety of herbs, spices, and flowers (always choose fresh herbs and flowers that have NOT been sprayed with chemicals).

Try the following combinations, then experiment to come up with your own signature variety of scented sugar.

NOTE: The herbs and spices will begin to flavor the sugars in about 3 days, but let them sit in the jars, undisturbed, in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight, for about 2 weeks for the most flavor.

LAVENDER SUGAR

Put 2 tablespoons of dried lavender into a piece of cheesecloth and tie it closed. Place the cheesecloth in a jar and add 1/2 cup granulated sugar. Tightly close the lid to the jar.

VANILLA SUGAR

Split a whole vanilla bean and put it in a clean, dry jar. Bury the bean in granulated or confectioners' sugar. Tightly close the lid to the jar.

GINGER SUGAR

Mix 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger with 1/2 cup of granulated sugar in a clean, dry jar. Tightly close the lid to the jar.

STAR ANISE SUGAR

To create this licorice tasting sugar, put 8 whole star anise and 1/2 cup of granulated sugar into a clean, dry jar and mix them together. Tightly close the lid to the jar.

CLOVES SUGAR

Combine 10 whole cloves with 1/2 cup granulated sugar in a clean, dry jar. Tightly close the lid to the jar.

CITRUS SUGAR

Use a vegetable peeler to remove long strips of zest (the outside peel) from a large orange, 2 medium lemons, or 4 medium limes. Put the zest in a clean, dry jar and bury it with granulated sugar. Tightly close the lid to the jar.

MINT SUGAR

Wash and thoroughly dry some fresh mint leaves (use your favorite variety of mint - spearmint, peppermint, chocolate mint, etc.) Put a little granulated sugar in the bottom of the jar, then add a layer of mint leaves, then another layer of sugar. Keep layering the mint leaves and sugar until the jar is full. Tightly close the lid to the jar.

SCENTED GERANIUM SUGAR

Wash and thoroughly dry some leaves from a scented geranium (rose, lemon, orange, pineapple, or chocolate-scented geraniums, etc. - not regular geraniums). Put a little granulated sugar in the bottom of the jar, then add a layer of scented geranium leaves, then another layer of sugar. Keep layering the scented geranium leaves and sugar until the jar is full. Tightly close the lid to the jar.

TO USE THE SCENTED SUGARS:

Sprinkle any variety of scented sugar over fruit, or hot or cold cereal.

Use scented sugar instead of plain sugar in a sugar cookie recipe - or in any cake, cookie, or custard recipe that calls for granulated sugar.

Add citrus sugar to hot or iced tea.

Try a little vanilla sugar in coffee, or mix it with powdered cinnamon and use for cinnamon toast or French toast.

Add mint sugar to tea or lemonade.

Use scented confectioners' sugar when making icings for cakes and brownies.

Final Note: Once the herbs, spices, or flowers have flavored the sugar, remove them from the jars if you will use the jars of sugars as gifts.