The aromatic bitterness of dried lavender, combined with soft vanilla flavours and toasted almonds give these cupcakes an intensity of flavour that is also very delicate. A lot of lavender sweets can taste soapy or too bitter. The milk base of these cakes, combined with the almond, balance it perfectly and the flavour is subtle and delicious. It’s a good tip to crush lavender buds with a pestle and mortar before adding whole to anything, it releases a gentler flavour and does away with the unpleasant texture of a full flower bud.
Ingredients
Makes 13
Marriages or other good plain flour, sifted280g
Baking powder2 tsp
Pinch salt
Unsalted butter, softened113g
Caster sugar205g
Large eggs, at room temperature2
Lavender milk4fl oz
Good vanilla extract1/2 tsp
Method
1. Sift together the flour, salt and baking powder.
2. Beat the butter with an electric mixer until smooth. Add the caster sugar and beat for 5 minutes until very light and fluffy.
3. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating to combine after each addition. Add the flour mixture in three parts, alternating with the milk and vanilla, beginning and ending with the flour. Be careful not to over-mix.
4. Using an ice cream scoop, spoon the batter into cupcake liners about 3/4 full.
5. Bake for 15 minutes in a 180C oven, or until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean.
6. Cool the cupcakes in the pan for a few minutes then remove and cool completely.
Lavender icing
Ingredients
Soft butter50g
Icing sugar approx 300g, depending on the consistency you want to achieve
Lavender milk (see below)3fl oz
Double cream1/2 fl oz
Honey1 tsp
Flaked almonds and a handful of lavender buds
Method
1. Toast flaked almonds on a baking sheet in a hot oven for 5 mins until lightly browned.
2. Crush the lavender buds with a pestle and mortar.
3. Whisk butter in a metal bowl until smooth for about 3 minutes. Then add 300g icing sugar, milk and double cream. Blend until smooth and slowly add remaining icing sugar until you have the consistency you want.
4. Ice cupcakes and dust with a sprinkling of lavender and cooled toasted almonds.
For the lavender milk
1. Measure out around 1.5 times the milk your recipe requires and add lavender buds at a ratio of 2tbsp to 1 cup milk to a small pan.
2. Heat the ingredients to a scald stage (just before boiling), then turn off heat and leave to cool completely. Strain the flowers with a sieve and re-measure milk before adding to your recipe.
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