Honey Lavender Cupcakes

As I mentioned yesterday, my friend Joia had her bachelorette party here in Boston this weekend! Joia is like me and loves all things flowery, so I thought that making honey lavender cupcakes would be perfect for her party. She and the other girls all loved them so I definitely recommend making this unique recipe - it reminds me a bit of edible tea! And they look really pretty and feminine making them perfect for a shower or afternoon brunch.

{PS: If you can't find lavender at your local grocery store, you can order it on Amazon like I did!}

Honey Lavender Cupcakes

makes 13 cupcakes

adapted from BHG

for the cupcakes...

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons dried food grade lavender
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 eggs, room temperature
• 2/3 cup milk

1. Preheat oven to 350 F and line 2 cupcake tins with 13 liner.
2. In a medium bowl combine flour, baking powder, lavender, and the salt. Set aside.
3. In the bowl of your stand mixer, beat butter on high speed for about a minute.
4. Reduce speed to medium and add the sugar, scraping down the sides of the bowl.
5. Slowly add honey and vanilla extract until just combined.
6. Add each egg one at a time, beating until each is combined.
7. Add the dry ingredients in 3 parts, alternating with the milk in 2 parts. Mix until just combined - don't overbeat!
8. Bake for 16-18 minutes and transfer to wire racks to cool.

for the frosting...

• 5 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 box confectioner's sugar (about 3 1/2 cups)
• a tiny bit of purple food coloring
• dried lavender for decoration

1. Beat the cream cheese and butter together at high speed for a minute or two until light and fluffy.
2. Reduce speed to medium and add the honey and vanilla extract.
3. Add the confectioner's sugar, one cup at a time, beating down the sides of the bowl until combined.
4. Add a tiny bit of purple food coloring and mix to give the frosting a nice lavender color.
5. Fill up a piping bag with a large star tip and pipe away, topping with dried lavender!