Lavender and Lace……..
and
French Lavender and Vanilla Sugar
for
Elegant Cakes and Bakes
A really quick post for this morning ~ but I will be back with another post later on today, so a double whammy for Monday then…..I am in the throes of laundry and dishes, as our B and B guests depart today and I have some more checking in later. But here is something I made earlier, in the manner of Blue Peter. I have been meaning to post some more of my lavender recipes for some time, so here for a Lyrical Lavender Monday Morning, is one of my favourites ~ French Lavender and Vanilla Sugar for Elegant Cakes and Bakes….I will be back later today with more news, recipes and photos etc…..
French Lavender & Tahitian Vanilla – what a great combination. A very simple but effective flavoured sugar; I always have a jar or two in my pantry ready to use in my cooking and baking. This sugar is WONDERFUL sprinkled on cakes, scones, biscuits (cookies), sweet tarts and baked desserts, as well as ice cream. You must make sure your lavender heads are free of pesticides, fertiliser and traffic pollution. Also a great gift idea – tie a sprig of lavender around the neck of the jar with a ribbon and a lavender recipe……et Voila, a perfect gift.
French Lavender and Vanilla Sugar for Elegant Cakes and Bakes
Ingredients:
-
- 225g (8ozs) white caster sugar
- dried lavender flowers from 6~10 heads of lavender
- 3 vanilla pods
Directions:
- Place the lavender heads and about 2 tablespoons sugar into a food mixer, or coffee/spice blender. Pulse together for about 1 minute or until the lavender is ground, the same consistency as ground spices.
- Place the rest of the sugar into a large mixing bowl & add the ground lavender and sugar mix. Mix well.
- In a tall jar, Kilner jars are good, pour half the lavender sugar; place the three vanilla pods in the jar, towards the outside so they may be seen,.
- Carefully add the rest of the sugar so the vanilla pods are standing up in the sugar.
- Seal and keep for about 2 weeks before using,.
- Store in a dark, dry and cool place.
- This lasts up to 1 year and the vanilla pods can be used numerous times after the sugar has finished.
- Use in cakes, biscuits, cookies, jams, cream desserts, ice-cream, pies and tarts, crumbles, trifles and junkets etc.
Belinda Y. Hughes says
Karen, what a beautiful blog. And I love your ideas for lavender. Just happen to have a good couple of plants in my garden. Thanks for sharing!
Marie says
I always make my own Lavender sugar too Karen, but had never thought of adding vanilla. Great idea!! Beautiful as always! xxoo
Karen S Booth says
Thank you Belinda, I am so pleased that my lavender sugar gave you an idea of what to do with your lavender plants…..lovely to see you here and thanks for your kind comments about my blog.
Karen
Karen S Booth says
Thanks Marie ~ the vanilla adds that extra special flavour I think……
Karen
La Table De Nana says
Like Marie..I had never thought of adding vanilla..Genius!
Karen S Booth says
Thanks Monique ~ the sugar is almost multi-layered when made this way and I love the addition of vanilla with the lavender.
Karen
Hannah says
This is a lovely idea. I've done my own vanilla sugar before but never thought of lavender or a mixture of the two.
Karen S Booth says
Thanks Hannah! I love the combination of the two flavours together.
Karen
mouthfulsandmorsels.com says
brilliant idea! I will be using this recipe soon! Thanks for sharing!
Karen S Booth says
Thanks mouthfulsandmorsels.com
Karen