Cosy Autumn baking with Lavender
- The Yorkshire Lavender Team
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
As the leaves turn golden and the evenings draw in, there’s something deeply comforting about the scent of something sweet baking in the oven. Autumn is the perfect time to embrace slow, mindful moments in the kitchen and what better way to do that than with the gentle, floral notes of culinary lavender?
We love seeing lavender used in creative ways, especially as the seasons shift. Culinary lavender adds a touch of elegance and warmth to classic bakes and pairs beautifully with many flavours typical of the season. If you've never tried baking with lavender before, now is the perfect time to start.
Before diving into ideas, here are a few quick tips:
Use culinary lavender. Not all lavender is the same and non-culinary lavender can be very bitter!
Less is more. Lavender has a strong flavour. Start with a small amount and adjust to taste.
Grind before using: A quick blitz in a spice grinder helps release oils and makes it easier to incorporate into your bakes.
Seasonal Baking Ideas
🍯 Honey & Lavender Loaf
There’s something incredibly nostalgic about a soft, golden loaf cake in the cooler months. Try adding a pinch of ground lavender to your favourite honey cake recipe. The floral note enhances the sweetness and gives it an unmistakably comforting, countryside flavour.
🍎 Apple, Cinnamon & Lavender Crumble Bars
Autumn’s apple harvest is a match made in heaven for lavender. Sprinkle a hint of crushed lavender buds into the crumble topping for a subtle botanical twist. It complements cinnamon beautifully and brings an unexpected brightness to a classic.
🍪 Lavender & White Chocolate Shortbread
Shortbread is a simple bake that becomes something special with the addition of lavender. Mix finely ground buds into the dough and finish with a drizzle of melted white chocolate. Perfect for afternoon tea or gifting.
🫖 Earl Grey & Lavender Madeleines
Infuse the delicate flavours of bergamot and lavender into light sponge madeleines. Serve warm with a pot of Earl Grey tea for a cosy, fragrant treat on a drizzly autumn afternoon.
🎃 Lavender & Spiced Pumpkin Muffins
Give your seasonal pumpkin bakes a new twist with a pinch of lavender. It pairs surprisingly well with warming spices like nutmeg, clove, and ginger. Just a touch will enhance the earthy sweetness of pumpkin purée.
🍊 Citrus, Lavender & Polenta Cake
For a zingy contrast to all the warm spices of the season, try a moist orange or lemon polenta cake with added lavender. The coarse texture of polenta and bright citrus notes balance the floral tones perfectly.
A Final Thought…
Baking with lavender brings a sense of calm and connection to the natural world—something we could all use a little more of as the days grow shorter. Whether you’re stirring it into a batch of biscuits or experimenting with new flavour combinations, culinary lavender is a delightful addition to your autumn kitchen.
Our dried culinary lavender is available in the farm shop and online—harvested with care, ready to inspire your seasonal bakes.
Itching to get in the kitchen? We've got your lavender essentials!
