Lavender is a herb that has been used for centuries in cooking. In recent years, lavender has been rediscovered for the wealth it brings to the table.
If you plan on baking with lavender, you should purchase organic lavender from a lavender farm. This is known as sweet lavender (lavandula angustifolia) and usually comes as prepackaged dried lavender buds suitable for use in lavender recipes. Bulk lavender can be purchased from local or online suppliers that cater to those who cook with lavender.
- English lavender is the sweetest variety and its floral flavor is particularly suited for baked goods
- Province lavender (a hybrid, known as lavandin) is also used in baking
- Culinary lavender blends well with a variety of dishes
Cooking with Lavender
- Lavender flowers, buds, and leaves can be used, either fresh, dried or ground
- Dried lavender is stronger so use it in smaller amounts if you are substituting it for fresh, when baking with lavender
Lavender enhances foods and is used as a background flavor. The flowers add a hint of mystery and color to dishes but lavender fragrance and flavor are strong so a little goes a long way. Lavender recipes usually call for the inclusion of one or two teaspoons or tablespoons of lavender buds or flowers when baking with lavender.
Harvesting Your own Lavender
If you’ve grown your own plants, harvest your lavender flowers by selecting blooms that are in their prime and bursting with color.
- Freshness affects flavor so, for cooking with lavender, plan to use your flowers as soon as possible after picking them
- Immerse lavender blooms in water to remove dirt and insects. Air dry on a clean towel or spin dry in a salad spinner.
Recipes with Lavender
What can you make with Lavender? You might start by making a flavored sugar to spread on toast or for stirring into tea.
- Lavender Sugar--make your own lavender sugar by adding dried lavender flowers/buds to sugar, sealing, and allowing it to sit for a couple of weeks. Dried lavender can be ground before adding it to sugar.
Lavender Infusion
Pour boiling water over lavender buds and allow to steep. Strain and use the liquid as a flavoring agent. This infusion is one method of baking with lavender, used to flavor cakes, muffins, and pancakes. Lavender infusion can also be added to punch, juice, or iced tea.
Lavender Frosting
Lavender frosting is a special treat. The next time you make icing, why not sprinkle in some dried, ground lavender? Spread lavender icing on muffins, cakes or cookies.
- For lavender sugar, lavender infusion, and lavender frosting, start out with 1 or 2 tsp. of lavender and adjust amounts to taste
Sprinkle in a small amount of culinary lavender buds when brewing a pot of tea. Use sparingly to lightly enhance the flavor of black or green tea.
Cooking with lavender lends a touch of the exotic. If you are ready to take it to the next level, why not try tempting lavender recipes such as lavender fudge or lavender shortbread?
Once you get used to baking with lavender, you'll find you add it to a wider range of dishes. Lavender cookbooks spotlight recipes using lavender for both sweet and savory dishes.
Whatever your preference, cooking with lavender adds a wonderful aromatic element to the menu.
