Coming in July
New Little Lavender Gift Book
Big news! My new little (6-inch square) lavender gift book–shown above–is now in production. Which means I’ll have copies to sell you by about July 15! Yes, I wish it could be available sooner, but book publication takes time. And I do think that it will be worth the wait. Inside you’ll enjoy some beautiful photographs of lavender fields, like the one below, plus some of my favorite lavender recipes along with tempting close-up shots that show them off. To view some sample pages and the layout of the book click on: Best-Loved Lavender Recipes Sample
Even though this book is small in size and perfect for gifting, it is packed with 36 recipes and 37 eye-catching photos. Yes, it’s truly a feast for the eyes as well as the taste buds.
Another treat: Scroll down for my Lavender and Lemon Sour Cream Pound Cake recipe. I have been saving it to put in Best-Loved Lavender Recipes, but am giving you an early opportunity to try it now.
- 3 cups all-purpose white flour
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- Generous 1/2 teaspoon table salt
- 1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, slightly softened
- 3 cups lavender sugar (see note below)
- 6 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup sour cream or light sour cream
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest (yellow part of skin)
- 1/2 teaspoon lavender extract, optional
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Generously and evenly spray a large (15 cup or similar) Bundt pan or plain tube pan with nonstick spray. Evenly dust the entire interior with flour, then tap out excess. Sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt onto wax paper. In a large mixer bowl with the mixer on medium speed, beat the butter and lavender sugar until lightened and fluffy, about 2 minutes; occasionally scrape down bowl. Reduce speed to low, and gradually beat in the flour mixture. If the motor labors, stir in the last bit of flour by hand. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating 10 seconds after each. Add the sour cream, vanilla, and zest. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes, occasionally scraping down sides. Put the batter into the pan, smoothing out the surface.
- Bake (middle rack) for 1 hour and 15 to 25 minutes or until the top is nicely browned and a toothpick inserted in the thickest part comes out with a few crumbs clinging. Let the cake cool on a rack fort 1 hour. Run a table knife carefully around the pan flutes or sides and under bottom to loosen the cake. When fully loosened, slide it out onto a cake plate. Add optional glaze if desired. Makes about 12 to 14 servings.
- Note: To make the lavender sugar combine 1 cup sugar and 2 generous tablespoons dried culinary lavender buds in a food processor. Process about 4 minutes or until buds are fairly finely ground. Stir the sugar through a fine mesh sieve into a bowl; discard any bits of buds. Thoroughly stir 2 cups more sugar into the bowl. The lavender sugar is ready to use.
Check out another of my favorite lavender recipes, my lavender-spice snickerdoodle cookies:
Don’t Miss It–View a free preview pdf of my upcoming book: