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Amazing Lavender Cake: 1 Simple Delight

Can you imagine the most delightful aroma filling your kitchen, something subtle, elegant, and completely unexpected? I stumbled upon the magic of floral flavors in baking years ago, and it totally changed my perspective. This lavender cake is just *chef’s kiss* – it’s got this incredibly delicate, whisper-soft floral scent that just makes everything feel a little bit more special. And the best part? It’s honestly a breeze to whip up! I remember the first time I tried it, I wasn’t sure if the lavender would be too much, but it turned out to be just perfect. Seriously, this lavender cake is going to be your new favorite simple indulgence.

A slice of moist lavender cake with purple frosting and cake crumbles on a white plate.

Why You’ll Love This Lavender Cake

Seriously, this cake is a winner for so many reasons!

  • Super Easy Prep: You won’t believe how quick this comes together. Perfect for those busy weeknights!
  • Unique Flavor: That subtle lavender? It’s so unexpected and elegant – a total palate pleaser.
  • Versatile Treat: It’s perfect for afternoon tea, a light dessert, or even a special brunch. It just feels fancy!

Gather Your Ingredients for Lavender Cake

Alright, let’s get everything ready for the most wonderful lavender cake! You’ll need just a few key things, and trust me, using the right stuff makes all the difference. For this beauty, grab:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour – the everyday kind works perfectly here.
  • 1.5 cups granulated sugar – for that lovely sweetness.
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder – our little lift-helper!
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt – just to balance everything out.
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened – make sure it’s nice and soft, not melted!
  • 4 large eggs – these are essential for richness.
  • 1 cup milk – any kind you have on hand is fine.
  • 2 teaspoons dried culinary lavender buds – this is super important! Make sure they’re food-grade, not the kind you buy for potpourri, okay?
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – adds that classic warmth.

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Essential Equipment for Baking Your Lavender Cake

To whip up this dreamy lavender cake, you won’t need anything too fancy. Just a few kitchen staples will do the trick! You’ll want a good old 9-inch round cake pan, some measuring cups and spoons, a couple of mixing bowls, and a whisk. Oh, and don’t forget that handy wire rack for cooling!

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Lavender Cake

Okay, let’s get baking! It’s really not complicated at all, and before you know it, your kitchen will smell like a dream. We’re going to walk through this together, step by step, and I promise, your lavender cake will turn out beautifully. For a little extra help on simple recipes, you can always check out these easy baking ideas.

Preparing the Cake Pan and Oven

First things first, go ahead and preheat your oven to 350°F (that’s 175°C). While it’s heating up, grab your 9-inch round cake pan and give it a really good grease and flour. This is your non-stick insurance policy, so be thorough!

Combining Dry Ingredients for Lavender Cake

Grab a big bowl and toss in your flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Give it a good whisk! You want all those dry bits to be perfectly mixed together before we add anything wet. This ensures even distribution so your lavender cake has the best texture.

Incorporating Butter into the Mixture

Now, add that softened butter to the dry ingredients. Mix it all up until it looks like coarse crumbs. Think big breadcrumbs – that’s what you’re aiming for. It’s a little messy but totally worth it!

Mixing Wet Ingredients with Lavender

In a separate bowl, get your eggs, milk, those lovely dried culinary lavender buds, and vanilla extract all together. Give them a good whisk until they’re nice and combined. Make sure those little lavender buds are spread around evenly!

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Combining Wet and Dry for Your Lavender Cake Batter

Time to bring it all together! Slowly add the wet ingredients to your crumbly butter mixture. Mix until *just* combined. Seriously, don’t go crazy here. Overmixing is the enemy of a tender cake, and we want a delicate lavender cake, not a tough one!

Baking and Cooling the Lavender Cake

Pour your beautiful batter into that prepared pan and spread it out evenly. Pop it into your preheated oven and bake for about 30-35 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when a wooden skewer poked into the center comes out clean. Let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes (it needs a little rest!) before you carefully flip it onto a wire rack to cool completely. Patience is key here for the perfect lavender cake!

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Tips for the Perfect Lavender Cake

Okay, so you’ve got all the ingredients and you’re ready to go! Here are a few little secrets to make sure your lavender cake turns out absolutely GORGEOUS. First off, that culinary lavender really is non-negotiable. Using the wrong kind can make your cake taste, well, soapy – and nobody wants that! Also, remember what I said about not overmixing? It’s super important. A few gentle stirs until everything is just combined is all you need. This keeps your lavender cake tender and light, not dense and chewy. Trust me, just a little care here makes a world of difference!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Lavender Cake

Let’s chat quickly about a couple of things for your lavender cake just to make sure it’s perfect! That culinary lavender? It’s key because it’s grown for flavor, not fragrance, so no soapiness! If you absolutely can’t find it, you might try a tiny bit of pure lavender extract, but use it sparingly, maybe just half a teaspoon. I haven’t personally experimented with milk substitutes yet, but I bet almond or oat milk would work beautifully in this lavender cake. Just make sure whatever you use is unsweetened!

Serving Suggestions for Your Lavender Cake

This lovely lavender cake is so versatile! It’s truly wonderful on its own, maybe with just a delicate dusting of powdered sugar. For an extra touch of elegance, I love serving it with some fresh berries – the sweetness and slight tartness really complement the floral notes. And if you’re feeling a bit fancy, a simple glaze made with powdered sugar and a splash of milk or lemon juice is divine. It makes the cake look gorgeous and adds another layer of delight. For more simple dessert ideas, you can always check out our sweet treats!

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Got leftovers? No problem! To keep your beautifully baked lavender cake fresh, just pop it into an airtight container. Store it at room temperature for up to 3 days. If it’s really warm where you are, the fridge is fine, but I find room temp is best to keep the texture lovely. Reheating isn’t usually necessary, but if you want it a bit warm, a quick 10-second zap in the microwave is all it needs – careful, though!

Frequently Asked Questions about Lavender Cake

Got some questions buzzing around your head about this delightful lavender cake? I totally get it – baking with florals can feel a little different! Let’s clear a few things up so you can bake with total confidence. For more info about our baking philosophy, check out our About page!

How strong should the lavender flavor be in this cake?

That’s the million-dollar question! The goal for this lavender cake is a subtle, elegant floral note, not an overpowering perfumed taste. We use 2 teaspoons of dried culinary lavender buds, which is usually just perfect for a gentle hint. You want to smell it, not taste it like it’s potpourri!

Can I make this lavender cake ahead of time?

Oh yes, absolutely! This is actually one reason I love this recipe so much. You can bake the lavender cake a day or two in advance. Store it wrapped tightly in plastic wrap at room temperature, and it’s usually even better the next day as the flavors meld. Perfect for parties!

What if I can’t find culinary lavender?

This is important! Please, please make sure you’re using culinary-grade lavender. Non-culinary lavender isn’t meant for consumption and can taste soapy or bitter. If you absolutely can’t find it, you might be better off just making a simple vanilla cake instead of risking the flavor. You can always reach out on our contact page if you need help finding it!

Can I freeze baked lavender cake?

You sure can! Once your lavender cake is completely cool, wrap it really well in a couple of layers of plastic wrap, then add a layer of aluminum foil. It should keep nicely in the freezer for about a month. Just let it thaw at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy it!

Estimated Nutritional Information

Just a little heads-up, the nutritional info below is an estimate! Things can change a bit depending on the exact ingredients you use. This is based on about 8 servings.

Calories: 350 | Fat: 18g | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 4g

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Two slices of moist lavender cake with a light purple glaze and lavender sprinkles on a white plate.

Lavender Cake


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  • Author: Elisa
  • Total Time: 55 min
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

A simple cake infused with the subtle floral notes of lavender.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1.5 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 teaspoons dried culinary lavender buds
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
  3. Add the softened butter to the dry ingredients and mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, lavender buds, and vanilla extract.
  5. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
  6. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and spread evenly.
  7. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
  8. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

  • Ensure you use culinary-grade lavender.
  • You can add a lavender glaze for extra flavor.
  • Prep Time: 20 min
  • Cook Time: 35 min
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 30g
  • Sodium: 200mg
  • Fat: 18g
  • Saturated Fat: 11g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 45g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 4g
  • Cholesterol: 80mg

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