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A lot of people love the taste of lavender, but don’t know how to use it in their cooking. Most people only think of lavender as a scent, but it can also be used in your food for a delicious flavor. This lavender sugar is a simple way to bring the flavor of lavender into your kitchen.
In this article, we’ll show you how to make your own lavender-infused sugar. It’s really easy and only takes a few minutes! You can use this sugar in any recipe that calls for sugar or just enjoy it on its own.
What is lavender sugar?
Lavender sugar is a type of flavored sugar that is made by infusing lavender flowers into granulated sugar. The resulting sugar has a delicate floral flavor that can be used to sweeten a variety of foods, from baked goods to cocktails.
Lavender-infused sugar can be made at home by steeping lavender flowers in sugar overnight, or it can be purchased pre-made from specialty stores.
When using infused sugar, it is important to use a light hand, as the flavor can quickly become overwhelming. A little bit of lavender sugar can go a long way in adding a touch of sweetness to your favorite recipes.
What type of lavender should you use?
There are many types of lavender on the market but only certain ones should be used for making your own lavender-infused sugar.
Growing your own lavender for baking
When it comes to lavender sugar, there are two main types of lavender that can be used – English lavender and French lavender.
If you plan on growing your own, choose English lavender. English lavender is the milder of the two, with a sweet floral aroma that is perfect for baking.
French lavender, on the other hand, has a more intense herbal scent that is ideal for things like homemade sugar scrubs or potpourri.
Check out my post on how to grow lavender from seed for tips on growing your own lavender for baking.
Fresh vs Dried Lavender for Baking
When it comes to infusing sugar, you can either use fresh or dried lavender. If you’re using fresh, you’ll need to use about twice as much as you would if you were using dried.
What is culinary lavender?
Culinary lavender (or edible lavender) is grown with consumption in mind. For lavender you will be eating, always choose one that has been grown organically. You don’t want pesticide-treated lavender in your baked goods or tea.
Generally, when you buy dried culinary lavender it is an organically grown, mild-flavored cultivar that will not overpower your recipes.
How to make lavender sugar
Making your own lavender infused sugar is a simple way to infuse the sugar with the delicate flavor of lavender.
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 TBSP fresh lavender or dried lavender buds
Directions
Start by combining 1 cup of sugar with 1 tablespoon of lavender buds in a food processor or blender.
Pulse the mixture until the lavender is finely ground. Then, transfer the mixture to a container with a snug-fitting lid and let it sit for 24 hours so that the lavender flavor can develop.
After 24 hours, give the mixture a final stir, and then enjoy your homemade lavender sugar in your favorite recipes.
Storage Tips
If you have leftover sugar that you would like to store for later use, there are a few things to keep in mind.
First, it is important to keep the sugar in an airtight container. This will help to preserve the lavender flavor and prevent the sugar from clumping together.
Second, it is best to store the sugar in a cool, dry place. A pantry or cupboard would be ideal.
Finally, this lavender sugar recipe can last for up to six months if stored properly. With these tips in mind, you can be sure that your lavender sugar will be fresh and ready to use when you need it.
What is lavender sugar used for?
There are so many ways to use flavored sugars! Here are a few of our favorites:
- Add lavender-infused sugar to your morning coffee or tea for a delicious and fragrant treat.
- Use it to sweeten homemade lemonade or iced tea.
- Sprinkle it on top of fresh berries or fruit salad.
- Use lavender sugar to sweeten oatmeal, yogurt, or pancakes for a lavender twist on breakfast.
- Make some lavender shortbread cookies or scones. The sweet fragrance and buttery texture are the perfect combinations.
- Add it to whipped cream or frosting for a unique flavor.
- Sprinkle it on creme brulee right before serving
- Make a simple syrup for sweetening tea or cocktails.
- It makes a great gift idea. Add it to small jars with decorative lids and give to friends and family who love to bake. Include it in a gift basket with a wooden spoon, baking sheet, and a wonderful recipe they might like.
Homemade Lavender Sugar Variations
While plain lavender-infused sugar is delicious, here are a few variations you might want to try.
Lavender sugar with vanilla
To make lavender sugar with vanilla bean, simply add the seeds of one vanilla bean to the sugar and lavender mixture before pulsing it in the food processor.
The resulting sugar will have flecks of vanilla bean throughout and a lovely vanilla flavor.
Lavender honey sugar
For a touch of honey flavor, try adding 1 tablespoon of dried honey powder to the sugar and lavender mixture before pulsing it in the food processor.
The honey will add a subtle flavor to the sugar that is simply delicious.
Use raw sugar for a more natural option
If you want to make a more natural lavender sugar recipe, you can use organic raw sugar instead of granulated sugar.
The process is the same, but you may find that the resulting sugar is slightly coarser in texture. For a finer texture, try powdered sugar or caster sugar instead.
No food processor? No problem!
So, how do you grind sugar for lavender if you don’t have a high-powered food processor? Not to worry! If you don’t have a food processor or blender, you can still make lavender-infused sugar.
Simply place the sugar and lavender buds in a zip-top bag and use a rolling pin to crush the lavender until it is well mixed. It won’t have quite as fine a texture as if was completely chopped up, but it will still have a nice flavor.
Another option is using a mortar and pestle to grind the lavender buds into the sugar.
Once you are done mixing it, transfer the mixture to a container or a clean glass jar and let it sit for 24 hours before using.
How do you make lavender-infused sugar cubes?
So, how do you turn infused sugars into decorative cubes perfect for your next tea party? It’s actually quite simple!
- First, make your lavender sugar as described above. After 24 hours, give the mixture a final stir and add 1 tsp of water for each cup of lavender sugar. Mix. It should resemble wet sand.
- Then, pack a silicon mold very tightly. Choose a mold for cubes, tiny hearts, or whatever inspires you.
- Allow the sugar cubes to dry overnight.
- Pop them out of the silicon mold very gently.
- Store in an airtight container.
More lavender recipes
If you’re looking for more ways to enjoy the flavor of lavender, be sure to check out these recipes:
While I love the smell of lavender, the taste is even more delicious! If you want advice for growing your own lavender, check out my tips for growing herbs and you’ll have plenty of lavender to go around!
Easy Homemade Lavender Sugar Recipe (From Fresh Lavender)
Lavender Sugar Recipe
This lavender sugar recipe is a quick and easy infused sugar made with dried or fresh lavender and granulated sugar.
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 TBSP fresh or dried lavender
Instructions
- Place sugar and lavender buds in a food processor and process on high until it reaches the desired coarseness.
- Alternatively, you can grind the lavender buds with a mortar and pestle or place the lavender and sugar in a plastic zip-top bag and crush them with a rolling pin.
- Place the ground sugar/lavender mixture in a glass jar with a lid or other tightly sealed container
- Let the mixture sit for 24 hours to infuse the flavor.
- If the lavender flavor isn't strong enough, you can process additional lavender into the sugar and wait another day before using it.
- Store in a cool, dry place and use within 6 months.