These lavender desserts give a floral twist to fresh bakes and homemade sweets, from buttery cookies and honey-sweetened cheesecake to silky ice cream.
1/9
Lavender Lemon Bars
From the Recipe Creator:
Hints of lavender and lemon zest in the crust make these treats a favorite. —Judith Hilinski, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
2/9
Almond Lavender Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
This eye-catching, moist lavender cake has a terrific buttery texture and a lovely flavor. It's a top-notch example of a great lavender recipe. —Lillian K. Julow, Gainesville, Florida
3/9
Lavender and Lemon Biscochitos
From the Recipe Creator:
Biscochitos are the state cookie for our home state of New Mexico. They are traditionally made with anise seeds, but I substituted lavender and lemon in this biscochitos recipe. The result is intriguing and delicious! I have also made these with lemon and dried thyme and they were scrumptious. —Marla Clark, Albuquerque, New Mexico
4/9
Lavender Shortbread Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
Lavender flowers can be used fresh or dried in cooking and baking. Their floral flavor is perfect for delicate shortbread cookies! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
5/9
Lavender Ice Cream
From the Recipe Creator:
Homemade herbal ice creams are a favorite at our house. A scoop of lavender ice cream is heavenly on warm peach crisp or blueberry cobbler! —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
6/9
Lavender Poppy Seed Muffins
From the Recipe Creator:
These muffins are so easy to put together. The lavender flavor really works well with lemon. If you've never baked with lavender, start with just 1 or 2 teaspoons for a more subtle flavor. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
7/9
Lavender Honey Cheesecake
From the Recipe Creator:
I love the scent of lavender, and the edible flowers make this cheesecake one of the most spectacular I've tasted. You can use lavender honey in this recipe for extra flavor, but even without it, the lavender is very distinct. —Julie Palmer, Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania
8/9
Lavender Peach Gelato
From the Recipe Creator:
This sophisticated herbal gelato can be served as an appetizer, a palate-pleaser between courses or a dessert that tastes like heaven on a spoon. —Christine Wendland, Browns Mills, New Jersey
9/9
Lavender Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
I am a wedding and event planner and one of my brides served these unusual cookies at her reception, so I had to have this lavender butter cookies recipe. You can guess what her wedding color was! —Glenna Tooman, Boise, Idaho
Lavender Desserts FAQ
What flavors pair well with lavender in baking?
Flavors that pair well with lavender in baking include citrus, berries, honey, pistachio, vanilla and mild, warm spices like nutmeg or cardamom. Lemon and orange enhance lavender’s floral brightness, while fruits like blueberry or blackberry add a jammy sweetness. Using the best vanilla extract and light types of honey, like clover or acacia, balance with lavender without overshadowing the taste. For a cozy, unexpected combination, pair lavender with cinnamon or black tea.
What type of lavender is safe to use in desserts?
The safest type of lavender to use in desserts is marked food-grade and has not been treated with pesticides or other substances not intended for consumption. Culinary lavender has a sweeter, more delicate flavor than ornamental or decorative types, which can taste soapy or bitter. Culinary lavender is often sold dried in jars or bulk from herb companies.
Can I use dried lavender in dessert recipes?
You can use dried lavender in dessert recipes, as long as it’s food-grade. Dried lavender is actually preferred in many baked goods because it’s more concentrated and easier to measure than fresh flowers. The difference in strength is similar to other herbs, so you can use our fresh to dried herb conversion to get the balance right. To release the natural oils and draw out lavender’s flavor, crush the buds with your fingers or grind them in a spice grinder before stirring into batters, doughs or syrups.
