Description
These Lavender Cupcakes are a game-changer! One bite of these fragrant treats and you’ll wonder why you haven’t been baking with lavender your entire life.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1¾ cups (218g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons dried culinary lavender buds
- ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- ⅔ cup (160ml) whole milk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
- 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar, sifted (for frosting)
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream (for frosting)
- 1 teaspoon dried culinary lavender, finely ground (for frosting)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
- Purple food coloring (optional)
- Fresh lavender sprigs for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Heat milk until steaming. Add dried lavender, cover, and steep for 15-20 minutes. Strain through a fine mesh sieve, pressing on buds to extract flavor. Let cool completely.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a stand mixer, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, incorporating fully between additions. Mix in vanilla and almond extract if using.
- Gradually alternate adding dry ingredients and lavender-infused milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Mix just until combined after each addition.
- Fill cupcake liners about 2/3 full. Bake for 18-22 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack.
- For the buttercream, beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar, then mix in the ground lavender, vanilla, and enough heavy cream for a smooth, spreadable consistency. Add a tiny drop of purple food coloring if desired.
- Once cupcakes are completely cool, pipe or spread buttercream on top. Garnish with a small sprig of fresh lavender or a sprinkle of dried lavender buds if desired.