9 Creative Ways to Use Lavender in Recipes

Food

August 11, 2020

The House Magazine

Lavender is something I have historically grow for looks rather than use. However, 2020 has deepened my passion to use what we have and to it’s best potential. That changed the way I looked at the pretty purple blossoms growing out of my patio pots this summer, which also lead to a bit of recipe research. If there is one thing I’ve been so thankful for throughout the handful of crazy this year has tossed at us, it’s the ability to learn from each other. So, I am excited to share this list of amazing ways to use lavender in recipes. If you have a favorite, leave it in the comments below!

An overhead shot of three small dishes filled with a a light purple panna cotta garnished with lavender on top on a dark background.
Photo courtesy of Salt and Lavender.

Lavender Panna Cotta

How gorgeous is the color of this Lavender Panna Cotta? Such a sweet, unique dessert with a personal touch to serve your summer guests. When they stop “oohhing” and “ahhhing” over the color they might actually taste the beauty of the lavender flavor come through in each silky bite!

An overhead shot of a bundt cake with a slice cut on and on a vintage brass plate with a small glass of dried lavender next to it and a coffee mug fulled with coffee.
Photo courtesy of Recipes from a Pantry.

Lemon Lavender Bundt Cake

This lavender bundt cake includes lemon juice and zest – two of my favorite ingredients to use with lavender in recipes. Put it in a cake and I’d say you’ve got something pretty special there. Bintu, this cake’s creator, talks of it’s light and airy flavor in the recipe post, and I was immediately sold on giving it a try this summer.

A close up front view of a typical champagne glass filled with a champagne colored liquid and garnished with fresh sprigs of lavender with a lemon and lavender stems stacked in the background,
Photo courtesy of Sip and Feast.

Lavender French 75

We published our own version of a spin on the classic French 75 cocktail earlier this summer, but the classic combination of lemon and lavender boasts perfection in Sip and Feast’s Lavender French 75 recipe. Basically, if you don’t know what to do with all your lavender, collect it and add it to a basic simple syrup to dress it up a bit. Can’t ever go wrong there.

A close up angled view of white Popsicles slowly melting on the gray surface with dried lavender blossoms sprinkled on top of each Popsicle.
Photo courtesy of A View from Great Island.

Lavender Moon Milk Popsicle

Give this one a try on the kiddos. I would be shocked to see my girls turn down a Popsicle of any kind, so this is the perfect healthy summer sweet treat. Made with coconut milk, sweetened with honey (a House of Perez favorite), and flavored with a little lavender and vanilla. Thank Sue for your new favorite bedtime snack – the Lavender Moon Milk Popsicle.

A close up view of seven flat short bread cookies neatly stacked with one cookie leaning on the stack white a light colored speckled glaze.
Photo courtesy of Kelly Neil.

Lavender Sugar Cookies

Another classic recipe where lavender can play a beautiful role in adding just a slight twist to the flavors. Here’s a lavender sugar cookie, but the extra special finish comes from the Earl Gray glaze. Tea-time anyone?

A front view of a glass filled with a drink foamy at the top with cucumber floating near the top and a lemon peel twisted and leaning on the top of the glass for garnish. Purple flowers and it's petals surround the glass in focus and an identical glass is the in the background with sliced lemon sitting next to it.
Photo courtesy of Burrata and Bubbles.

Lavender Gin Fizz

You know we are always up for a good cocktail recipe at The House of Perez. Especially those with refreshing flavor combinations like cucumber, lavender and lemon, which is exactly what goes into Amanda’s Lavender Gin Fizz recipe over at Burrata and Bubbles.

An angled view of two water glasses sitting on a neutral colored surface with lavender stems floating on top of the water in each glass.
Photo courtesy of Masala Herb.

Lavender Water

If you need a quick way to use up those lavender blossoms, snip them and throw them into some fresh filtered water. Enjoy it as a treat for yourself, or give the most plain Jane item on your menu a special touch the next time you host guests.

A close up view of a blueberry scone with bright colored glazed drizzled over the top on a white plate garnished with fresh blueberries.
Photo courtesy of The Flavor Bender.

Lavender Blueberry Scones

Dried lavender gives this Lavender Blueberry Scone recipe an added layer of flavor, making it one of the most summery breakfast items I’ve had all summer. Harvest your lavender, dry it out, and add this one on your lists of must-bakes before summer ends.

An angled view of two vintage glasses sitting on a picnic basket with a pink colored drink in the glasses and a long slice of rhubarb in each glass with a single white daisy as a garnish. A small table with a white table cloth and potato salad is in the background.

Lavender Rhubarb Lemonade

Last but not least, give our very own Lavender Rhubarb Lemonade a try. We add fresh lavender right in with rhubarb used to flavor the honey simple syrup that’s mixed with the freshly squeezed lemon juice to create this beautiful summer drink. Our current favorite way to use lavender in recipes.