Lavender Cake (Print Version)
Delicate cake infused with fragrant culinary lavender and finished with tangy lemon glaze, perfect for elegant spring gatherings.
# What You Need:
→ Cake Components
01 - 1½ cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
03 - ¼ teaspoon salt
04 - ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 1 cup granulated sugar
06 - 2 large eggs
07 - 2 tablespoons culinary lavender buds, finely chopped
08 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
09 - ½ cup whole milk
→ Lavender Syrup
10 - ¼ cup water
11 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
12 - 1 teaspoon culinary lavender buds
→ Lemon Glaze
13 - 1 cup powdered sugar
14 - 1½ tablespoons fresh lemon juice
15 - 1 teaspoon culinary lavender buds, finely chopped
# How to Prepare:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour an 8-inch round cake pan thoroughly.
02 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside for later use.
03 - Beat softened butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy, approximately 3-4 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Blend in chopped lavender and vanilla extract.
04 - Alternately add flour mixture and milk to butter mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
05 - Pour batter into prepared pan, smoothing top evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center emerges clean.
06 - While cake bakes, simmer water, sugar, and lavender buds in a small saucepan for 3 minutes. Strain syrup and set aside to cool slightly.
07 - Allow cake to cool in pan for 10 minutes. If using syrup, poke small holes across surface and lightly brush with warm syrup. Cool completely before glazing.
08 - Whisk powdered sugar, lemon juice, and chopped lavender until smooth and pourable. Drizzle glaze evenly over completely cooled cake. Allow glaze to set before slicing and serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The floral aroma fills your entire kitchen while it bakes, making even a rainy afternoon feel like a garden party
- That lemon glaze cuts through the floral notes perfectly, creating a sophisticated balance that surprises people who think they don't like floral desserts
02 -
- Lavender strength varies by brand and freshness, so start with less if you're unsure—you can always add more next time
- Overbaking even by a few minutes will dry out this delicate cake, so start checking at the 25-minute mark
03 -
- Grind your lavender buds with a tablespoon of the sugar from the recipe before adding to the batter—the sugar helps prevent the lavender from clumping
- If you can't find culinary lavender, look for it in the bulk spice section of health food stores or order from specialty spice retailers online