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Lavender honey cake is a delightful and aromatic dessert that combines the floral notes of lavender with the sweetness of honey. This is a honey cake and is perfect for special occasions or simply as a treat to enjoy with a cup of tea. The unique blend of flavors makes it stand out from other desserts, offering a sophisticated taste experience. Our lavender honey cake recipe not only tastes amazing but also looks elegant, making it a perfect choice for any event.
Why You'll Love this Cake
The Honey Lavender Cake is a delightful dessert that combines the sweetness of honey with the subtle flavor of lavender. This cake recipe is perfect for special occasions, such as weddings, anniversaries, or baby showers. The honey lavender cake is a unique and delicious twist on traditional cake flavors, and its beautiful purple color makes it a stunning centerpiece for any celebration.
Imagine slicing into a cake that not only tastes divine but also looks like a work of art. The honey brings a natural sweetness that pairs wonderfully with the floral notes of lavender, creating a sophisticated flavor profile. Whether you’re hosting a garden party or looking for a show-stopping breakfast cake, this honey lavender cake is sure to impress your guests and leave them asking for the recipe.
What distinguishes cake from pound cake?
Pound cake stands apart from regular cake primarily due to its traditional recipe and distinctive texture. While standard cakes typically rely on leavening agents like baking powder or soda for rise, pound cake originally earned its name from its simple ratio of ingredients: one pound each of flour, butter, sugar, and eggs. This dense composition gives pound cake its signature tight crumb and rich mouthfeel, compared to the lighter, fluffier texture of regular cakes. Pound cake also tends to have a more buttery flavor profile and a moist, velvety interior that holds up well to slicing. Many modern pound cake variations add vanilla, citrus zest, or other flavorings, yet they maintain the fundamental characteristics that make pound cake an enduring classic in the world of baking.
Light a French Lavender Luxe Soy Candle while you bake this cake for the ultimate experience
Farm to Table at it's Finest
A Chesterhaven Beach Farm, our fields produce an abundant lavender harvest each year. After searching for creative ways to use our bounty, I developed this Lavender Honey Lemon Cake—now my absolute favorite recipe. The delicate floral notes of culinary lavender blend perfectly with sweet honey and bright lemon, creating a sophisticated dessert that's surprisingly simple to make.
This cake pairs beautifully with our Good Night Tea or an earl grey cocktail, making it perfect for afternoon gatherings or special occasions. The combination of lavender and lemon creates a refreshing flavor profile that's especially delightful during spring and summer months.
Growing your own lavender would make this recipe extra special
Ingredients You'll Need:
For the Cake
- Unsalted butter, room temperature
- Bee Inspired Honey
- Eggs
- Lemons
- Cake flour
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Kosher salt
- Buttermilk
- Pure vanilla extract
- Edible lavender
For the Honey Syrup
- Bee Inspired Honey
- Lemons
- Raven Tea
For the Lemon Glaze:
- Confectioners’ sugar
- Lemon juice
Pollination of lavender plants on our farm led to the creation of our Spring Honey
Working with Lavender
Lavender is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of baked goods, including cakes, cookies, and scones. When working with lavender, it’s essential to use high-quality, edible lavender buds that are specifically labeled as “culinary lavender.” This type of lavender is safe for consumption and has a more delicate flavor than other varieties.
To incorporate lavender into your baking, you can use dried lavender buds, lavender extract, or lavender infused honey. Lavender buds that have been dehydrated, can be added to batter or dough for a subtle lavender flavor, while lavender extract can be used to give your baked goods a more pronounced lavender taste. Lavender-infused milk is a great way to add a creamy, dreamy texture to your baked goods while also infusing them with the subtle flavor of lavender.
When using dried lavender, be sure to crush the buds slightly to release their essential oils, enhancing the flavor. For lavender-infused milk, simply heat milk with lavender buds, then strain out the buds before using the milk in your recipe. This method imparts a gentle lavender essence that complements the other ingredients beautifully.
Lavender Flower Water is made with our own distilled lavender
The Secret to Perfect Texture
The key to this light, fluffy cake is using room temperature ingredients and being careful not to overmix the batter. This preserves the delicate crumb structure and creates that melt-in-your-mouth texture everyone loves.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare Your Ingredients:
Before starting, gather all ingredients and bring them to room temperature. This simple step makes a huge difference in the final texture of your cake.
Pro Tip: Source high-quality ingredients for the best flavor:
- Look for local honey from nearby beekeepers
- Use farm-fresh eggs and butter from your farmers market
- Find organic edible lavender from specialty stores or local herb farms
Try serving this cake with a piece of Raw Honeycomb on top
2. Make the Cake Batter
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9×5-inch loaf pans or line them with parchment paper and dust with powdered sugar.
- In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter and honey on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the lemon zest.
- In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, combine the lemon juice, buttermilk, vanilla extract, and lavender.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the buttermilk mixture. Begin and end with the dry ingredients (add ⅓ of the dry, then ½ of the wet, ⅓ of the dry, remaining wet, and remaining dry). Mix just until combined after each addition.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and smooth the tops.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
3. Make the Honey Syrup
- While the cakes are baking, combine honey and lemon juice in a medium saucepan.
- Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then lower the heat and add the tea leaves. Let steep as the mixture simmers.
- Simmer for about 10 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Cool slightly and strain to remove tea leaves.
4. Apply the Syrup
- Once the cakes are done, let them cool in the pans for 10 minutes.
- Remove from pans and place on a rack set over a tray or sheet pan.
- While the cakes are still warm, poke the tops all over with a thin skewer.
- Slowly drizzle the warm syrup over the cakes, allowing it to soak in completely.
- Let the cakes cool completely.
5. Add the Lemon Glaze with Lemon Zest
- When the cakes are completely cool, whisk together the confectioners' sugar and lemon juice until smooth.
- Drizzle the glaze over the cakes, allowing it to cascade down the sides.
- Let the glaze set for about 30 minutes before serving.
Decorating with Edible Flowers
Edible flowers are a beautiful way to add a touch of elegance to your baked goods. Lavender, in particular, is a popular choice for decorating cakes and cupcakes because of its delicate purple color and subtle flavor. To use flowers in your decorating, simply sprinkle them on top of your baked goods or use them to create intricate designs and patterns.
When working with edible flowers, it’s essential to use only flowers that are safe for consumption. Some popular edible flowers include lavender, roses, and violas. Make sure to choose flowers that are free of pesticides and other chemicals, and only use them in moderation to avoid overpowering the flavor of your baked goods.
For a stunning presentation, consider using a combination of fresh and dried flowers. Fresh flowers can be arranged in a bouquet on top of a delicious cake, while dried flowers can be sprinkled around the edges for a delicate touch. This not only enhances the visual appeal but also adds a fragrant aroma that will delight your guests.
Creative Variations
Don't be afraid to make this recipe your own! Here are some delicious ways to customize:
- Switch the citrus: Replace lemon with orange or grapefruit for a different flavor profile
- Add complementary herbs: A touch of rosemary or thyme creates an interesting savory note
- Include texture: Fold in poppy seeds for a delightful crunch
- Decorate creatively: Top with other decorative flowers like rose petals or violets
If you love lavender, you'll love our Peace of Mind Collection
Wedding Cake Inspiration
Planning ahead for a spring wedding? Being "on season" with your cake is a special part of any wedding celebration, and a honey lavender cake is a unique and delicious choice for this special occasion. To create a stunning cake, consider using a stacked cake design with multiple tiers. Each tier can be decorated with a different design or pattern, fondant, or buttercream frosting.
For a beautiful and elegant cake, consider using a combination of honey lavender cake and vanilla german buttercream frosting. This frosting is a classic choice because of its creamy texture and subtle flavor. To add a touch of elegance, consider using a ganache drip on top.
A stacked cake design allows for creativity and personalization. You can incorporate different textures and colors, making each tier a unique masterpiece. The honey lavender cake’s delicate flavor pairs perfectly with the rich, smooth buttercream, creating a harmonious balance that will leave a lasting impression on your guests.
Check out our unique Wedding Gifts to make their day even more special
Serving Suggestions
This versatile cake works for numerous occasions:
- Serve with afternoon tea or coffee
- Add a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert
- Pair with fresh berries for a lovely brunch option
- Present as a centerpiece at garden parties or baby showers
Our Lavender Baby Oil comes with a Baby Massage Booklet - perfect for new mothers
Expert Tips for Success
- Don't overmix: Stir just until ingredients combine to keep the texture light
- Use room temperature ingredients: This helps create a smooth, well-incorporated batter
- Choose the right lavender: Be sure to use edible lavender, not ornamental varieties
- Test for doneness: The cake should spring back when lightly pressed in the center
- Allow proper cooling time: For the best flavor infusion, let the cake rest overnight
If you make this recipe, we'd love to see your creation! Share a photo and tag us with #beeinspired on Instagram.
More Recipes to Try
If you’re looking for more delicious recipes to try, consider the following:
- Lavender Lemon Pound Cake: This cake combines the brightness of lemon with the subtle flavor of lavender for a delicious and refreshing dessert.
- Honey Lavender Cupcakes: These cupcakes are perfect for a baby shower or wedding celebration, and feature a delicate honey lavender flavor and a beautiful purple color.
- Lavender Shortbread Cookies: These cookies are a classic choice for any occasion, and feature a subtle lavender flavor and a crumbly texture.
- Lavender Panna Cotta: This creamy dessert features a delicate lavender flavor and a beautiful purple color, making it perfect for a special occasion or celebration.
Each of these recipes showcases the versatility of lavender in baking, offering a range of flavors and textures that are sure to delight. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, these recipes provide a wonderful opportunity to experiment with lavender and create something truly special.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use dried lavender instead of fresh?
Yes! Use 2 teaspoons of dried edible lavender instead of 1 tablespoon fresh.
How should I store this cake?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week.
Can I make this cake dairy-free?
Absolutely! Substitute vegan butter and make buttermilk by adding 1 tablespoon lemon juice to oat milk.
Is lavender safe to eat?
Yes, but always use lavender specifically grown for cooking (ornamental may be treated with chemicals)
Can I freeze this cake?
Yes! Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature and add fresh glaze before serving.
Enjoy your homemade Lavender Honey Lemon Cake—a taste of our Chesterhaven Beach Farm that you can create in your own kitchen!
