Make Lavender Sugar

For an unexpected and rich taste, try making your own lavender sugar. This is a unique treat that's easy to make and fun to use.

Uses for Lavender Sugar

Lavender sugar is a great alternative to vanilla sugar as a topping for candies, cakes, and other pastries. It's also a wonderful sweetener for tea. You can leave your lavender sugar white, or use food coloring to give it a slight tint. Either way, using lavender as a flavoring will give your sugar added zest and gourmet appeal.

If you are a gardener and have a ready supply of fresh lavender, making and giving batches of lavender sugar is a great way to showcase your hobby. If you don't have a fresh supply, you can easily find lavender buds online.

Try making lavender sugar part of a lavender themed basket, with lavender bath salts, herbes de Provence, lavender hand cream and lavender facial scrub. Lavender is a favorite with both men and women, and your homemade lavender creations will be a hit for everyone on your shopping list.

Lavender Sugar Recipe

• 2 Tbsp. Dried lavender flowers
• 1 Cup White sugar
• Red and blue food coloring (optional)
• Jar with a tight fitting lid
• Muslin fabric

Place two tablespoons of lavender flowers in a length of muslin and wrap securely. Place lavender packet in a jar and cover with a cup of white sugar. Seal the jar and set it aside for two weeks, shaking it occasionally. After two weeks, the aroma of the lavender will have permeated the sugar, and the lavender packet can be discarded.

If you would like to color the sugar, create a shade of lavender you like using red and blue food coloring.

Once mixed, add the coloring slowly to the lavender sugar, stirring well to incorporate. Place the slightly moist sugar mixture on a cookie sheet to dry. If you live in a humid area, the sugar may be dried in the oven. (Use the lowest setting you can.)