How to Make Lavender Sugar Using Brown Sugar

Ever wondered how to make lavender sugar, or even wondered what it is? Imagine a jar filled with the sweet scent of lavender dancing with granulated sugar, creating a magical concoction known as lavender sugar. It's like capturing the essence of a blooming garden in a simple yet elegant culinary creation. This fragrant sugar adds a subtle floral flavor and aroma to a wide range of sweet treats and beverages, transforming ordinary recipes into extraordinary delights.

To whip up your own batch of lavender sugar, all you need are dried culinary lavender flowers and granulated sugar. Simply mix them together and let the magic happen as the sugar absorbs the delicate essence of the lavender. The longer you let it infuse, the more intense the flavor becomes, so feel free to experiment to find your perfect balance.

The History and Origin of Lavender Sugar

Lavender sugar is a specialty sugar that traces its roots back to ancient times. The practice of using lavender for cooking and flavoring came about in medieval times when people often used various herbs to enhance both the flavor and supposed health benefits for their meals. This was especially true in the case of sweets or desserts, where herbs like lavender could implicate both taste and smell to create unique dishes.

While it's hard to pinpoint exactly when and where lavender sugar was first developed, it likely emerged in Europe during the Middle Ages. It was in this period where recipes started considering aspects beyond just taste and nutrition, but also textures, colors, and smell.

Lavender sugar became more popular in modern times, particularly in French cuisine. Cooking with lavender became a trend in the 1970s in the United States, and its popularity has been growing ever since, with lavender sugar becoming easily accessible both in physical stores and online.

Today, lavender sugar is used to flavor beverages like lemonade or tea, as well as in baked goods, jams, and other sweet dishes, lending them a unique aromatic character.

So let's learn how to make lavender sugar! Sweeten your morning tea or coffee with a sprinkle of this fragrant sugar, or use it to add a floral touch to baked goods like cookies, cakes, and scones. Whether you're hosting a fancy brunch or simply treating yourself to a cozy afternoon snack, lavender sugar will add a unique and sophisticated twist that's sure to delight your taste buds and lift your spirits. So go ahead, indulge in a little floral magic and let your culinary creations bloom with flavor!

 Recipe Showing you How to Make Lavender Sugar

*Quick Tip*: You will see most recipes for lavender sugar using white sugar. There is absolutely nothing wrong in using brown sugar, as long as it is not the moist, compacted Muscovado sugar as your sugar will spoil very quickly. The brown sugar you want is either the Turbinado (raw sugar) or Demerara sugar. Both of these are nice dry granulated sugars.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of brown granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons dried culinary lavender
• 
  
• Instructions:

1. Start by sterilizing the jar you plan to store the sugar in. You can do this by washing it in your dishwasher on the highest heat setting. Alternatively, you can wash it in hot, soapy water and then dry it in an oven set to 200 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes. Allow the jar to cool before proceeding to the next step.

2. Ensure that your dried lavender buds are completely dry and free from any moisture, as moisture can cause the sugar to clump together and your sugar will spoil later on.

3. Put the granulated sugar in a mixing bowl.

4. Add the dried lavender buds to the sugar and mix them together thoroughly with a spoon. At this stage, you can leave the buds whole if you are going to remove them later, or, you can throw the dried lavender buds into your Thermomix, like I do, or using blender pulse them until you have a coarse cut but not a powder.

5. Transfer the mixture into the sterilized jar. Make sure to pack the sugar down and seal it carefully.

6. Store the jar in a cool, dark place for at least two weeks. This will allow the sugar to absorb the lavender flavor.The longer the sugar sits, the stronger the lavender flavor will be. Shake the jar every so often to distribute the lavender through the sugar.

7. If you are going to remove the lavender buds from your sugar, you can do this after a two-week period.

8. Voila! Your lavender sugar is now ready to be used in teas, lemonades, baking recipes, anything that needs a hint of sweetness with a floral twist.

Your lavender sugar is now ready for use.

10 Delightful ways to use Lavender Sugar:

Now that we have shown you how to make lavender sugar here are a tips on how to use it.

1. Sweetening tea or coffee: Add a spoonful of lavender sugar to your favorite hot beverages for a fragrant and floral twist.

2. Sprinkling over fresh fruit: Enhance the natural sweetness of fruit salads or sliced fruit with a dusting of lavender sugar.

3. Baking cookies: Incorporate lavender sugar into cookie dough for a delicate floral flavor that elevates classic recipes.

4. Making cakes and cupcakes: Use lavender sugar to sweeten cake batters and frostings, adding a subtle floral note to your baked goods.

5. Dusting over pancakes or waffles: Sprinkle lavender sugar over pancakes or waffles for a sweet and fragrant breakfast treat.

6. Mixing into yogurt or oatmeal: Stir a spoonful of lavender sugar into yogurt or oatmeal for a hint of floral sweetness.

7. Garnishing cocktails: Rim cocktail glasses with lavender sugar for an elegant and aromatic touch to your favorite drinks.

8. Flavoring whipped cream and cream frosting: Whip lavender sugar into cream frosting for a floral-infused topping for muffins, and into cream for desserts and beverages.

9. Baking scones: Add lavender sugar to scone dough for a delightful floral flavor that pairs perfectly with tea or coffee.

10. Making homemade jams or preserves: Use lavender sugar to sweeten homemade jams and preserves, adding a unique twist to your spreads.

How to Store Lavender Sugar and Shelf-Life

Lavender sugar should be stored in an airtight container, to keep it from absorbing moisture or other odors. It is best to store it in a cool, dark place such as your pantry or a kitchen cabinet.

The shelf life of lavender sugar can depend on how it was prepared and how it is stored. Generally, dried lavender flowers mixed with sugar should retain their flavor and fragrance for up to a year, though the flavor may start to decline after 6 months. If you see any signs of mold or smell any off odors, it's best to discard the sugar.

Remember, it's always important to use clean, dry tools and containers when you're making or handling lavender sugar. This helps to prevent the introduction of moisture, which can lead to spoilage.

Finally, make sure your lavender buds are totally dry with no moisture content as this will spoil your sugar. See our article on how to dry lavender.

Enjoy the wonderful floral notes this lavender sugar brings to your dishes!

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