Lavender Cupcakes

I made these pretty lavender cupcakes yesterday, I have had some lavender sugar infusing in a jar which I used in the cake mixture, also adding just a few drops of lavender extract (from Planet Bake).

Lavender cupcakes do have quite a distinct flavour, so as to be not too overpowering I made vanilla buttercream for the top coloured with grape violet paste.

Topped with a lilac sprinkle mix and a dried sprig of Treetops lavender.

Lavender Cupcakes

I picked some lavender this morning and made some gorgeous Lavender Cupcakes.

You can either place some lavender inside a jar of caster sugar and let it infuse over time and then use that in your baking, or finely chop it and add to your cake mixture.

I don't flavour the buttercream, keep it simply vanilla and add a fresh sprig of lavender on the top.

Keeping the lavender theme, I visited Long Barn in Alresford today, they are growers and distillers of Lavender.  www.longbarn.co.uk

They sell lovely toiletries, homewares and plants in a beautiful oak framed barn, but the best secret is Sally hidden upstairs who does a variety of treatments using their products.  I can definitely recommend her top to toe treament; facial and massage. www.sallycurson.co.uk