Lavender Sugar
Lavender is one of those flavors that can go from soft and subtle to overpowering very quickly, but when it’s good? It’s very good! I love using a touch of lavender for baking recipes like these lavender sugar cookies, raspberry scones, and this homemade vanilla frosting. In my opinion, making a batch of DIY lavender sugar is the best way to do this.
I use dried lavender buds from the bulk store to make my flavored sugar. If you have fresh lavender in your garden, you can cut stems from your plants and hang them to dry before you make a batch. Fresh lavender looks pretty but the moisture in fresh flowers may make them turn brown and rot in the sugar.
The ratio of lavender to sugar in this recipe makes a lavender-infused sugar with a fairly subtle flavor, especially when added to larger-scale recipes like cakes or cookies. You may want to grind in a bit more lavender for those in particular. Play with the ratio to suit your own taste.
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💞 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔️ You can add lavender sugar to almost any baking recipe.
✔️ The flavor is a bit different and makes people take notice in a good way.
✔️ You can make a batch in less than 5 minutes.
📋 Ingredients
Ingredient Notes
- Dried Lavender Buds—Sometimes called culinary lavender, dried lavender buds are often available in organic sections of the grocery store or in the spice section of bulk stores. You can also dry your own homegrown lavender by hanging bunches upside down.
It’s important to note when making substitutions in recipes, the texture and flavor may be slightly different. However, these substitutes are the best options if you are looking to change the original recipe.
Ingredients Substitutions
- Sugar—You can substitute natural cane sugar for white sugar if you want.
Use the JUMP TO RECIPE button at the top of this post, or scroll to the bottom of the post, to see the PRINTABLE recipe card with ingredient measurements and complete instructions.
👩🍳 How To Make Lavender Sugar
STEP 1—Add a tablespoon or two of the sugar to a mortar along with the dried lavender buds.
STEP 2—Use a pestle to grind the buds and sugar together.
STEP 3—When the mixture has been ground to a fine powder, with no visible whole lavender buds left, stop grinding.
STEP 4—Add the lavender sugar powder to a jar with the remaining sugar and stir well to combine. Substitute lavender sugar for regular granulated sugar in your favorite baking recipes.
🗣 Expert Tips
1. Use a small food processor or a blender if you don’t have a mortar and pestle.
2. You can leave the buds whole for a softer flavor. Just give the jar an occasional shake and sift them out before using it.
2. You can use fresh-cut lavender from your garden, but be sure to dry the buds first to prevent rot.
📝 Recipe Notes
- The floral flavor of lavender-infused sugar can be quite subtle when added to larger-scale recipes like cookies or cakes.
- When you use floral sugar for baking, you can adjust the intensity of the flavor by adding more or less flowers as needed.
Storage
- Choose the Right Container: Store your homemade lavender sugar in a clean, dry glass jar or airtight container. Ensure the container is free from any moisture or residue, and ensure it has a tight-fitting lid to prevent moisture or contaminants from entering.
- Cool & Dry Place: Store the lavender sugar in a cool, dark cupboard or pantry. Avoid places with direct sunlight or fluctuating temperatures.
- Shake Occasionally: If you use whole lavender buds, give the jar an occasional shake to redistribute the lavender throughout the sugar.
- Longevity: While lavender sugar made with completely dried lavender buds can last indefinitely, it’s best to use it within a year for optimal flavor. Before using, give the sugar a quick check. If it smells off or shows any signs of mold, it’s best to discard it.
Lavender Sugar Uses
- Baking into cookies, cakes, or muffins.
- Sweetening beverages such as teas, lemonades, and coffees.
- Flavoring desserts like ice creams, puddings, and sorbets.
- Use as a garnish such as rimming cocktail glasses, or sprinkling over whipped cream swirls.
- Sprinkling on fruits such as sliced strawberries for shortcakes.
- Incorporating into jams and jellies.
- Leveling up your morning yogurt or oatmeal.
- Mixing with whipped cream or frostings.
- Gifting in decorative jars.
🙋♀️ Recipe FAQ
You can use lavender-flavored sugar in many baking recipes, but it’s especially good with lemon or berry recipes. Try adding some to cakes, cookies, muffins, scones, ice cream, lemonade, or iced tea!
As long as you’ve made the sugar with completely dried lavender buds, it will last indefinitely in a cool dark cupboard or pantry. Be sure to store it in a glass jar or container with a tight-fitting lid.
Lavender-infused sugar made with dried and ground lavender buds is ready to use right away. If burying whole dried buds in a jar of sugar, it can take up to two weeks for the lavender flavor to be noticeable.
💃 Try Using Lavender Sugar In These Recipes
Did you make this lavender sugar? Please rate the recipe and tell me how it went in the comments below. Also, stay in touch with me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest to see more delicious food and recipes!
Printable Recipe Card
Lavender Sugar
Special Equipment
- Measuring cups and spoons or digital kitchen scale
- Mortar and pestle or small food processor or blender
- Clean glass jar with tight fitting lid
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon dried lavender buds
Instructions
- Add 2 tablespoons of sugar and the lavender buds to a mortar. Use a pestle to grind the two together to a fine powder.
- Add the remaining sugar to a clean glass jar with a tight fitting lid. Add the lavender-sugar powder and stir to combine with the sugar in the jar. Cover tightly and store in a dark cool place until needed.
Recipe Notes
- The floral flavor of lavender-infused sugar can be quite subtle when added to larger scale recipes like cookies or cake. Adjust the amount of dried lavender buds, adding more as needed.
