Lavender Lemon Cupcakes

If you ask me, the element that makes a really great lavender cake is restraint. Most of the time it’s okay to double the amount of flavorings such as vanilla extract or citrus zests in batter recipes, but this is is not something you want to try with dried lavender buds. They are highly perfumed and require a judicious hand when it comes to adding them to recipes.

This batter formula uses a very specific method of beating the butter and dried buds together until the fragrance is dispersed into the fat. This removes any soapy taste from the lavender and what remains is lightly floral flavor, almost reminiscent of Earl Grey tea.

I’ve made this recipe many times as a loaf cake but it’s also lovely as cupcakes. It is a favorite of mine, especially in spring when flowers and trees are budding. I always feel like I’m at a garden party when I’m eating one, even if I’m just in my PJ’s reading a book which is most often the case.

I had some fun painting these little dollar store animals gold for DIY cupcake toppers. I found the paint at Target in the crafting aisle (20 Karat), and you may remember that I used it for this dinosaur topper last month.

I also had a new Ferris Wheel cupcake holder to try out which you can see in the pictures. Cute as it is, I can’t recommend it. It’s extremely difficult to get the cupcakes in and out of the carriages. I’d only suggest using it as a centerpiece, and if you don’t mind squished frosting.

I’m the biggest fan ever of these edible gold stars, so I decided to do an up-close-in-your-face picture of them. The lavender frosting is only lavender in color. I flavored it with lemon extract, and it is as fluffy and delicious as it looks!

If it’s warm where you live, I urge you to enjoy one of these in a sunny spot on your porch or picnic blanket. You might also bookmark these for Mother’s Day, if you have a mom that gardens and enjoys the outdoors as mine does.

Lavender-Lemon Cupcakes

Heather Baird

This recipe deserves delicious French butter, so I recommend using it if possible. It has a higher percentage of butterfat than domestic butter.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 17 minutes mins

Total Time 32 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 10

Ingredients

 

US CustomaryMetric

 

1x2x3x

Cakes

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
• 1 tablespoon dried lavender buds
• 1/2 cup 100g granulated sugar
• 1 egg lightly beaten
• 2 teaspoons pure lemon extract
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup 120gall-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup 4 oz. full fat sour cream

Frosting

• 1 cup 226g unsalted butter, softened
• 2 1/2 -3 cups 320 to 380g confectioners’ sugar
• 1 tablespoon pure lemon extract
• Milk or heavy cream
• Violet gel food color
• Edible gold star sprinkles optional

Instructions

 

• Make the cakes: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a cupcake tin with paper liners.
• Beat the butter and lavender buds in the bowl of an electric mixer for 2 minutes, or until well combined. Scrape down the bowl and beat for 1 more minute. Add the sugar and mix well. Beat in the egg and extracts.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add the flour to the butter mixture alternately with the sour cream on low speed; begin and end with flour. Turn the batter over several times by hand with a large rubber spatula to make sure the lavender buds are well dispersed. Fill each cupcake liner 2/3 full. Bake for 17 minutes, or until a toothpick tester comes out clean. Remove cakes from pan and let them cool completely before frosting.
• Make the frosting: In a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, mix together the butter and confectioners’ sugar. Begin on low speed until crumbly; add milk or cream a little at a time until the mixture is spreading consistency. Beat on high 3 minutes. Add lemon extract and beat again for another minute.
• Add the lavender gel food color a little at a time until the desired hue is achieved. Transfer frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large French decorator tip and pipe frosting onto the cupcakes. Immediately top with edible gold stars, if using.

Notes

Loaf cake: You can double this recipe and bake it in a 9×5 inch loaf pan. Cook time will increase to 40-45 minutes.

Keyword culinary lavender, French butter, lemon extract

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