Monday, April 19, 2010

Lavender Orange Tea Cake

I picked up some cooking lavender at the Halifax Farmers Market a few weekends back. It was my plan to make some sort of shortbread cookie with it, but I decided to make a tea cake with it instead.

I figured it would be best to use applesauce since it doesn't have a strong flavor, and orange zest to play off the lavender. I was a little worried that it might taste like perfume, but it only has a slight hint of flowers. I also added a sucanat sugar crumble to the top. I think I would infuse the milk with a bit more lavender next time, but this turned out moist and light perfect to go with a hot cup of tea.

  • 1 cup non-dairy milk
  • 1 tbsp dried cooking lavender

Heat the milk and lavender up, and steep for at least 10 minutes

  • 2 cups flour
  • 3/4 cup organic cane sugar
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp clove powder
  • 1/4 tsp cardamom powder
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt
  • 1/2 cup applesauce
  • 1/3 cup veggie oil
  • 1 tsp white vinegar
  • 1 orange zested and juiced
  • 2 tsp dried lavender

Topping

  • 1/4 cup organic sucanat sugar
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 2 tbsp earth balance

In a large mixing bowl combine dry ingredients.
In a small mixing bowl combine wet ingredients, including infused milk
Pour wet into dry and stir until combined.
In a greased loaf pan pour mixture in.
In a small bowl combine topping ingredients and mix up with fingers until resmebles course crumbs
Spread the topping mixture over the batter and bake in a 350 oven for 40-50 minutes or until done.

8 comments:

  1. Now that is an interesting combination, I would never have thought of Lavender, I would love to see what the tea cake tasted like...
    thanks for sharing the recipe!

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  2. This sounds wonderful (lavender & orange-yum). I love the photo too. You know, I like vegan cakes better than regular ones. I wish more people knew how good & easy vegan baking is!

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  3. I've been looking for the perfect lavender cake to make for my little ones 5th bday this weekend. Do you think it would work ina cake pan instead of a loaf pan?!?! Ideas for a simple frosting?!?! She wants a lavender cake and a raw pie. I'm going to make a strawberry raw pie. :)
    xoxox

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  4. MoonMama... I don't know if it is birthday cakey enough? Is it a bit more dense then I would like to use for a birthday cake, but I think you could steep the lavender in water or milk when you make the cake, I find that it brings out the essence of the flower better. Frosting...hmmm? I would probably get a bottle of orange blossom water and incorporate that into a vegan butter cream icing. You could also candy some orange rind and use it for garnish?
    YUM!

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  5. Yes! Orange blossom in the icing...good idea. I did that with rose water once and it was divine. I'll let you know what I end up making....
    xoxo

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  6. Love the the taste of lavender. This makes a great vegan dessert.

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  7. I love the idea of lavender in the recipe! Beautiful cake; lovely blog I have bookmarked it to return for inspiration.
    Thank you :)

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  8. This recipe is so great for summer! Lavender is such a great ingredient.

    I'd love it if you shared this awesome recipe (and perhaps any others!) with our online community!
    http://www.facebook.com/redpathsugar?ref=ts

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