Lavender Blueberry Tea Cakes (Printable version)
Delicate mini cakes with fragrant lavender and juicy blueberries, perfect for afternoon tea or light dessert.
# List of ingredients:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
03 - 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
04 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
05 - 1 tablespoon dried culinary lavender, finely chopped
→ Wet Ingredients
06 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
07 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
08 - 2 large eggs, room temperature
09 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
10 - 1/2 cup whole milk
11 - 1/4 cup sour cream
→ Add-ins
12 - 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
13 - 1 tablespoon flour for tossing blueberries
→ Optional Glaze
14 - 1/2 cup powdered sugar
15 - 2-3 teaspoons lemon juice
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 12-cup muffin tin thoroughly or line with cupcake liners for easy removal.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and chopped lavender until well combined.
03 - In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, approximately 2-3 minutes.
04 - Beat in eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Mix in vanilla extract until smooth.
05 - Combine whole milk and sour cream in a small bowl, stirring until uniform and smooth.
06 - Add flour mixture to the butter mixture in three additions, alternating with the milk and sour cream mixture. Begin and end with flour, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
07 - Toss blueberries with 1 tablespoon flour in a small bowl to prevent sinking. Gently fold coated blueberries into the batter.
08 - Divide batter evenly among prepared muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full to allow for rising.
09 - Bake for 22-25 minutes until tops are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
10 - Let cakes cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Allow to cool completely before glazing.
11 - Whisk powdered sugar and lemon juice in a small bowl until smooth and drizzleable. Drizzle over completely cooled cakes.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The combination of floral lavender and sweet blueberries creates the most sophisticated yet comforting flavor profile
- These come together in under an hour but taste like something from a fancy bakery
- They freeze beautifully, so you can always have something special on hand for unexpected guests
02 -
- Always buy culinary grade lavender, lavender meant for crafting or sachets can taste bitter or have been treated with chemicals
- Room temperature ingredients incorporate more easily and create a more uniform texture in the final cake
- Overmixing once the flour is added will make these tough, stop mixing as soon as you no longer see dry streaks
03 -
- Chop the lavender flowers finely with a knife instead of a food processor to avoid releasing too much oil, which can make the flavor overpowering
- Rub the lavender and sugar together with your fingers before creaming with butter, this releases the essential oils and distributes the flavor more evenly throughout the cake