Ultimate Guide to Baking with Lavender: Everything You Need to Know

Baking with lavender is a fun and simple way to add a touch of elegance to your desserts. Whether you're new to lavender recipes or already a fan, this complete guide on how to bake with lavender will help you bring this beautiful herb into your bakes with confidence.

Baking with fresh herbs and edible flowers feels so wholesome, sophisticated, and homemade. It also might feel a little intimidating. But I'm here to tell you it's easier than you think. At the most basic level (most of my lavender dessert recipes), all you need is a bag of culinary dried lavender and you're ready to experiment. Keep reading to learn how to bring this fragrant herb into your kitchen with ease.

Lavender is a floral flavor that's near and dear to my heart. It always reminds me of my family vacation to Provence in southern France. Anytime I encounter lavender scent, I'm transported back to those stunning and relaxing lavender fields.

Lavender is also the first flower I tried in baking! Hence why my Earl Grey lavender cookies will always have a special place in my heart. It spurred my love for incorporating floral flavors into baking recipes, like in these lemon lavender cupcakes with lavender buttercream frosting.

Overview of Lavender in Baking

Lavender feels lavish yet soothing and relaxing with its unique aroma. Romantic and fresh, it's the perfect flavor for elegant events like weddings, bridal showers, and tea parties. It's also a great way to bring a cozy yet elevated touch to family gatherings like Easter or Mother's Day.

Different types of lavender and their uses

Did you know there are multiple types of lavender? In fact, there are over 45 different species of lavender! When it comes to baking, not all lavender is created equal. Since I couldn't possibly compare every type of lavender plant, I'll simply compare two common types of lavender and why they matter in the kitchen.

English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) – The Culinary Choice

English lavender, or Lavandula angustifolia, is the most popular variety for culinary use. It's sweet, slightly floral, and has an herbal flavor. It's favored in baking and cooking due to its mild, non-overpowering taste and its versatility.

English lavender has a gentler flavor profile compared to other varieties, making it ideal for recipes. It's often used in shortbread, cake, and cookies.

French Lavender (Lavandula dentata) – The Ornamental Option

A lot of people associate lavender with France, hence it being a popular option. However, French lavender, or Lavandula dentata, is a more ornamental variety. While it's often used in potpourris sachets, as a decorative plant, and in oils, it's not typically recommended for culinary use due to its strong, pungent flavor that can leave a soapy or overpowering aftertaste.

When baking with lavender, always choose English lavender for its mild, sweet flavor that enhances, rather than dominates, your recipe.

What does lavender taste like?

Lavender flower has a distinct floral and herbal flavor. I would describe it as a blend of floral, minty, and citrusy notes. While its taste may seem unusual at first, it has the ability to bring depth, complexity, and elegance to your baked goods.

Some people think that lavender desserts taste like soap, but that's often because there's too much called for in the lavender recipes. It's all about using lavender sparingly.

In fact, I find that people are pleasantly surprised with lavender baking. Just look at the 5-star reviews for my lemon lavender cookies—"These cookies were a big hit with family and friends. One neighbor said I should enter these is a contest."

Benefits of lavender in baking

Lavender is known for its delightful fragrance and calming properties. It's widely recognized for its aromatherapy benefits, promoting relaxation and reducing anxiety. Some popular lavender products include lavender essential oil, potpourri, lavender tea, and lavender soap.

In fact, lavender helps with stress reduction, relaxation, and improving sleep quality. So go ahead and indulge guilt-free in lavender buttercream!

Lavender's calming nature makes it more than just a flavoring. In baking, lavender creates a soothing, aromatic experience that goes beyond just taste. You're creating a sensory experience that can bring a moment of calm.

What lavender brings to your bakes

Here are some key advantages of baking with lavender leaves:

• Adds a unique flavor. Adding lavender into your desserts makes them more interesting! Lavender's flavor is delicate, so it complements ingredients like lemon, chocolate, and honey without dominating the taste. It adds a new layer of complexity to traditional bakes, giving them a refined, elegant touch.
• Natural antioxidant properties. Lavender contains antioxidants that can help neutralize the body, contributing to better overall health. While I certainly can't say that lavender will make your treats "superfoods," it's nice to know that it can provide a small antioxidant boost.
• Aesthetic appeal. I like using the vibrant purple buds of lavender as a beautiful garnish or decorative element, enhancing the visual appeal. Whether sprinkled on top of a cake, mixed into a cookie batter, or used in lavender-infused glazes, it adds a natural elegance to your desserts that looks as good as it tastes.
• Great for seasonal baking. Lavender is often associated with summer, when its flowers are in full bloom. Think summer lemon lavender shortbread cookies or fresh lemon lavender cupcakes. Including lavender in your seasonal baking adds a touch of nature and a sense of the season's beauty to your treats. However, you'll read below that I typically use dried lavender in my baking recipes, so you can enjoy lavender flavored desserts all year round!

My Favorite Lavender Recipes

Wondering what to use lavender for? These are some of my favorite recipes with lavender. I promise, you'll fall in love with using lavender in cooking.

Lemon Lavender Shortbread Cookies

Delight in the best lemon lavender shortbread cookies. With zesty citrus and soothing florals, these delicate treats brighten any gathering.

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Lemon Loaf Cake with Lavender Glaze

Bright, fluffy, and floral, this moist lemon cottage cheese cake with lavender glaze is perfect for spring brunches and sweet cravings.

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Soft & Chewy Lemon Lavender Cookies

Brighten your day with a burst of citrus, a hint of floral, and a touch of sweetness in every soft and chewy bite of the best lemon lavender cookies.

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Lemon Lavender Cupcakes

Light and fluffy lemon cupcakes topped with delicate and smooth lavender buttercream, these lemon lavender cupcakes are full of elegance and sunshine.

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Earl Grey Lavender Cookies with Lemon Glaze

Soft and chewy Earl Grey lavender cookies topped with a luscious lemon glaze. Elevate your next tea party with this irresistible cookie.

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How to Use Lavender in Baking

You might be wondering how to use culinary lavender. Before incorporating lavender into your dessert recipes, you'll need to do a little preparation.

Fresh vs. dried lavender

If you're using fresh lavender from a garden, the bud of the flower is the part you want to use. The flower blooms are pretty to look at but don't add the aromatic taste.

Depending on the variety of lavender, you might need to play around with the correct amount, as certain varieties have a stronger flavor. For this reason (and for seasonality), I prefer baking with dried flowers.

If you do use fresh lavender, it's best to infuse it into liquids like cream or milk to extract its flavor, then strain it out before adding it to your bake. Fresh lavender is also great as a garnish.

If you're using dried culinary lavender (my preference), whether you've grown, harvested, and dried or that you've purchased, simply pluck the lavender buds off of the stem. Dried lavender for baking is easier to measure and control, making it perfect for blending into batters, cookie dough, or glazes.

Grinding vs. infusing lavender

If you're using dried lavender, grinding it is the most effective way to release its essential oils and ensure an even flavor distribution. Use a mortal and pestle, coffee grinder, or even a rolling pin over a zip-top bag to grind the buds. The finer the grind, the more evenly the flavor will infuse.

Infusing lavender works best for liquid-based recipes or when you want a more subtle flavor. You can infuse lavender in milk, cream, butter, or syrup, then strain out the lavender before adding it to your lavender infused baking recipes. This method is great for custards, icings, or cakes.

Where to Find Culinary Lavender for Baking

You might be wondering, "can you eat lavender?" The answer is yes! With a caveat—be sure you only eat culinary lavender. You also might be wondering, "can I use lavender from my garden in baking recipes?" Again, the answer is yes! Here's where you can find culinary lavender for all of your lavender baking recipes:

• Health Food Stores & Natural Markets. Many health food stores (like Whole Foods, Sprouts, or local co-ops) carry culinary lavender, often in the spice aisle or as part of their herb and tea section. These stores often also stock lavender-infused products, like lavender syrup or lavender honey, which can be great for baking.
• Online Retailers. Online retailers like Amazon and Etsy offer a wide selection of culinary lavender. Make sure to double-check that the lavender is labeled as culinary-grade! I use Kate Naturals Organic Lavender Flowers from Amazon.
• Speciality Herb Shops and Farmer's Markets. When purchasing lavender grown by local farmers at a market, ask the vendor if it's culinary-grade to make sure you're getting the right variety for baking. If you're lucky enough to have a lavender farm in your area, definitely check it out!
• Garden Stores (For Growing Your Own). Growing lavender ensures you know exactly what you're getting. If you're feeling adventurous and want to incorporate homegrown lavender into your baking, many garden centers sell lavender plants that you can grow yourself. Lavender thrives in well-drained soil and sunny spots.

My Favorite Dried Organic Lavender Flowers for Baking

With 4.7 stars from over 8K reviews, these culinary-grade lavender buds are exactly what you need for all of my delicious lavender recipes.

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What to look for when buying lavender for baking

When sourcing lavender for baking, here are a few tips to ensure both quality and safety:

• Look for culinary-grade lavender. Look for specific language like "for baking," "for tea," "organic," "food-grade," and/or "culinary grade." This will be labeled as safe for consumption and free from pesticides or chemicals.
• Look for English Lavender. English lavender is grown for consumption and has a more delicate, sweet flavor compared to ornamental varieties.
• Look for dried lavender buds or lavender bunches. Dried lavender can be easily ground or used whole in recipes. If you're buying fresh lavender, you'll need to dry it yourself by hanging it upside down in a cool, dry place for a week or two until the buds are fully dried.

While it's possible to use lavender oil or lavender extract for baking instead of dried lavender flowers, use caution! Baking with lavender essential oil is highly concentrated and a little amount goes a long way. Add it sparingly to avoid an overpowering flavor.

Tips & Tricks for Baking with Lavender

Best flavor pairings for lavender in baking

Lavender & Citrus. This is my favorite flavor pairing! Lavender's floral flavor has a natural affinity with the brightness of citrus. The acidity of lemon or lime zest balances lavender's floral sweetness, making the pairing both refreshing and sophisticated.

Try my lavender lemon cupcakes, soft & chewy lemon lavender cookies, lemon cake with lavender glaze, or a lavender lemonade.

Lavender & Honey. Lavender and honey share a sweet, natural fragrance. The floral sweetness of honey complements lavender's delicate flavor without overwhelming it. Make a honey-lavender glaze for cakes or drizzle lavender-infused honey on biscuits or muffins.

Lavender & Berries. Lavender pairs beautifully with tart, juicy berries like strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries. The floral notes in lavender help balance the sweetness, while the fruitiness complements lavender's more herbaceous undertones. Lavender berry tarts, lavender-raspberry shortbread, or blueberry-lavender muffins all sound delicious!

Lavender & Chocolate. Lavender's floral notes provide a lovely contrast to the richness and bitterness of dark chocolate, making this indulgent, decadent combination perfect for sophisticated desserts. Try making lavender chocolate brownies or lavender-infused chocolate ganache.

Lavender & Herbs. Lavender's herbaceous nature makes it a great companion for other savory herbs like rosemary or thyme. The herbs offer an earthy depth that balances lavender's floral notes. For savory bakes, experiment with rosemary-lavender focaccia or lavender-thyme crackers.

Common mistakes to avoid when baking with lavender

You don't need to be a professional baker to use lavender in your recipes. Here are some of the most common mistakes to avoid, along with tips for getting it just right.

• Mistake: Using non-culinary lavender. Not all lavender is edible! Always use culinary-grade lavender which is specifically grown for cooking and baking. See my section "Where to find culinary lavender for baking" for all of the details on where to buy lavender for cooking.
• Mistake: Overusing lavender. Too much lavender can quickly lead to an overpowering soapy taste. Start with small amounts and gradually add more if needed. Remember, lavender's flavor is concentrated, so it doesn't take much to infuse your recipe with its aromatic qualities.
• Mistake: Not grinding lavender. Using whole lavender buds can result in an uneven texture and an unpleasant, bitter taste. I don't think anyone wants to eat a whole bud of lavender! Be sure to grind dried lavender buds to help release the essential oils and ensure a smoother, more even flavor distribution.
• Mistake: Storing lavender improperly. If not stored correctly, lavender's delicate floral flavor can be easily lost. Store dried lavender in an airtight container away from heat and direct sunlight. A cool, dark cupboard or pantry is ideal. If you're drying it yourself, be sure your lavender is fully dried before storing it to avoid mold or rot.

Final Thoughts: Embrace the Floral Magic of Lavender

Have I convinced you to try baking with lavender recipes? Baking with lavender is not only a way to enhance your treats but also a chance to add a touch of elegance and sophistication to your kitchen. Whether you're adding a delicate floral twist to a classic lemon cake or experimenting with lavender-infused honey, the versatility of lavender flavor offers endless possibilities.

By following the tips and tricks in this guide, you're ready to create botanical bakes that are both delicious and impressive. So, gather your culinary-grade lavender and start baking. Who doesn't love a lavender-scented kitchen?!

Don't forget to share your lavender creations with me. I'd love to see what you come up with. Happy baking!

Meet Grace.

Welcome to Belle Fleur Bakery! I'm Grace, the founder, recipe developer, food photographer, and flower enthusiast behind Belle Fleur Bakery. I make simple recipes with an elegant twist using edible flowers and herbs to celebrate and savor nature's flavors and beauty.

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