Edible Chocolate Pinecones | Recipe by My Name Is Snickerdoodle (2024)

FAQs

Are pine cones edible? ›

Although pine cones are technically edible for humans and many animals, most creatures don't chow down on the cone itself. Instead, critters like squirrels and chipmunks use their sharp teeth to break open the cone and access the pine nuts inside.

How long should you bake pinecones before using them for crafts or decoration? Answer: Ovens and humidity of your location may vary, but in general we recommend heating your oven to 250°F and baking for 30-60 minutes. Be sure to check the pinecones every 15 minutes or so.

As noted above, pinecones, at least some varieties, are indeed edible. In fact, most pine trees are completely edible with the exception of lodgepole, Norfolk, ponderosa, and yew, which are quite toxic.

Humans can eat seeds from particular pine cones, including Sugar Pine, Western White Pine, Longleaf Pine, Red Pine, and Pitch Pine. Species unsafe to eat include Ponderosa Pine, Yellow Pine, Lodgepole Pine, and Norfolk Island Pine. Not enough is known about these species to consider them safe for human consumption.

This is going to remove the bugs (EWWW) and extra dirt you can't see. Step 4: After the pine cones soak for a few hours, remove them from the vinegar mix and put them on a baking sheet. I lined my baking sheets with parchment just incase there were any more hidden creepy critters.

Let them soak for 30 minutes to an hour. The vinegar will help disinfect and soften the pine cones. Scrub (if necessary): If your pine cones have stubborn dirt or sap, gently scrub them with a soft brush or toothbrush while in the vinegar solution. This will help remove any remaining debris.

While you can use pine cones you find outdoors, it's a good idea to prepare them first. Baking or freezing them helps eliminate any bugs and moisture, ensuring they are clean and safe for crafting.

Pine cones, which are used for decoration purposes, are consumed as a natural treatment for upper respiratory tract diseases during the winter months. Pine cone strengthens the immune system during seasonal transitions and increases body resistance against diseases.

By laying them around your trees and flowerbeds, they'll help soils retain moisture and suppress weeds – and they look good too. They're also a good natural slug repellent, and provide useful habitat for spiders.

Pines that have extensively been studied for their nutritive content and curative abilities are the eastern white pine (Pinus strobus), the red pine (Strobus resinosa), and the Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris). (The Scots pine is also known as the Scotch pine.)