Cocoa & Lavender. From the name of the blog, you can pretty much surmise that I like cocoa and lavender.
Sometimes they go together in a recipe but mostly they merely live side-by-side in the cupboard.
Over these past seven years, I have posted quite a few dishes that use lavender – both sweet and savory.
It has been a while since I shared one with you.
That realization came to me as the scent of a lemon-lavender-buttermilk-cornmeal-olive oil cake was wafting through the house.
The recipe for this cake is from my friend Nicole of Riegl Palate. Nicole and I met through my brother Brad and his wife Sue. They all live near one another in Southeastern Pennsylvania.
While her blog covers all components of a meal, she specializes in cocktails, appetizers, and gluten-free recipes.
Today’s cake is one that can be made gluten free. I, however, have no need to avoid gluten, so my version has good ol’ all purpose flour.
The original recipe calls for fresh lavender buds and leaves, and that is hard for those of us in the desert; I use dried culinary lavender buds.
In an effort to improve our eating habits these days, we are trying to eat fresh fruit for dessert.
But wouldn’t fresh fruit be just a little nicer with a slice of cake?
~ David
Lemon-Lavender-Buttermilk-Cornmeal-Olive Oil Cake
minimally adapted from the recipe by Nicole Riegl, Riegl Palate
Preheat oven to 350˚F. Grease a 9-inch by 5-inch loaf pan with olive or canola oil.
In a small bowl, whisk together flour, cornmeal, salt, baking powder, and lemon zest.
Place lavender buds and 1 tablespoon of the flour mixture in a spice grinder and pulverize. Whisk lavender mixture into the flour mixture.
Combine oil, buttermilk, and honey in a 2-cup measuring cup. Stir with a fork to mix, but don’t worry if it separates.
Using a stand mixer, cream sugar and eggs on medium high until pale yellow, about 1 minute.
On medium-low speed, add dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with wet ingredients. With every addition, make sure to incorporate without over-beating. Scrape down sides as necessary.
Using a rubber spatula, scrape batter into oiled loaf pan.
Bake until slightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean, 50 to 60 minutes. (from my oven, it came out perfectly at 45 minutes.)
Transfer pan to a wire rack. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes then remove from pan. Let cool to room temperature.
Cake keeps wrapped at room temperature for three days or in the freezer.
Makes 1 loaf cake.
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Gerlinde de Broekert
October 14, 2017 at 3:16 pmWow David, I love cakes like this. I have never baked with lavender. I have some sea salt that has lavender in it and I used it on savory dishes. I can imagine having a piece of your cake with a cappuccino.
Cocoa & Lavender
October 16, 2017 at 3:15 pmI bake with lavender all the time. It adds such wonderful flavor, Gerlinde!
Lois B
October 14, 2017 at 5:13 pmThis sounds wonderful, lavendar and citrus are so nice together. I love your photos, especially the imprint on the bottom of your cake. It's like we're helpig you bake, and we get out of doing the dishes!
Cocoa & Lavender
October 16, 2017 at 3:15 pmI almost skipped that photo of the bottom of the cake, but i have never had a cake come out so cleanly before – I just had to put it in!
Nicole (RieglPalate.com)
October 14, 2017 at 6:23 pmDavid – Your adaptation and photos are so lovely! I wish you live closer as my lavender is still going strong. I’m so glad that you liked this cake – thank you so much for adapting and sharing. vb, Nicole
Cocoa & Lavender
October 16, 2017 at 3:16 pmMe, too, Nicole! I used to have tons of lavender in Maine and upstate New York… here the varieties aren't good for cooking. Thanks for the recipe!
he needs food
October 15, 2017 at 6:26 amI love your compromise with combining fruit and cake. I'd go a naughty step further and dollop some clotted cream on top.
You need to get to a few of Croatia's islands as they're a bit lavender mad over there. Lavender juice with champagne, lavender cake, lavender cappuccino, lavender lemonade!
Cocoa & Lavender
October 16, 2017 at 3:17 pmMaybe I should live in Croatia, John – I already make lavender champagne, lavender cake, lavender cookies, and lavender lemonade!
Nutmeg
October 15, 2017 at 8:00 amYummy!
Cocoa & Lavender
October 16, 2017 at 3:17 pmIndeed!
Frank
October 15, 2017 at 12:59 pmI'm actually someone who's perfectly happy with the fruit without the cake, but I surely wouldn't turn this away! 😉 especially with that nice hint of lavender. I've never cooked with it, I have to admit, but I love the scent.
Cocoa & Lavender
October 16, 2017 at 3:19 pmSomehow, I know that about you Frank… for me, every meal needs closure and somehow fruit just whets my appetite for more food!
Sippity Sup
October 15, 2017 at 7:58 pmDelicious. I could dry and use lavender straight out of the garden. I better get going on that while it's still in bloom. GREG
Cocoa & Lavender
October 16, 2017 at 3:19 pmOr, you could check our Nicole's version and use your lavender fresh from the garden, Greg!
Valentina
October 16, 2017 at 3:59 amI couldn't agree more — fresh fruit is perfect when accompanied by a slice of cake. I have dried lavender in the pantry and I will try it gluten-free for my son. Yum!
Cocoa & Lavender
October 16, 2017 at 3:20 pmNicole's version is GF – you should check it out!
All That I'm Eating
October 16, 2017 at 12:38 pmWhat a beautiful cake, so simple. I love lavender in baking so this is right up my street!
Cocoa & Lavender
October 16, 2017 at 3:20 pmMe, too, Caroline. In fact, this recipe has inspired a few others in the interim!
Emma - Bake Then Eat
October 16, 2017 at 9:53 pmThis cake sounds absolutely divine, I would love a slice!
Cocoa & Lavender
October 19, 2017 at 11:50 amThanks, Emma!
Karen (Back Road Journal)
October 17, 2017 at 6:08 pmFresh fruit is always better with cake, especially a homemade one as good as yours sounds.
Cocoa & Lavender
October 19, 2017 at 11:50 amThanks, Karen – I agree about cake complementing fruit!
Jill @ MadAboutMacarons
October 18, 2017 at 6:43 pmAbsolutely love lavender and this echoes summer and warmth so much, David. Love that stamp with the Bonjour on it for your cake, too! Gorgeous photos as always. Toujours a pleasure to pop in and see what your baking. Gorgeous!
Cocoa & Lavender
October 19, 2017 at 11:52 amIsn't the Bonjour pan sweet? And I have to say, Jill, I think that a lavender macaron would be lovely, don't you?
Cecilia
October 19, 2017 at 3:15 pmI love lavender! What a great recipe!
Cocoa & Lavender
October 25, 2017 at 3:14 pmThanks, Cecilia – enjoy!
Jean | DelightfulRepast.com
October 21, 2017 at 3:01 pmDavid, what a lovely loaf – I like the information baked into the bottom of it! This is just what I need today with a nice cup of tea. Must pick up some fine cornmeal while I'm out.
Cocoa & Lavender
October 25, 2017 at 3:15 pmIsn't it funny, Jean? I love when the names of the cake pan come through onto the cake. Like a brand!
Christina | Christina's Cucina
October 21, 2017 at 8:37 pmBeautiful, David! I love that whisk, btw. I've never yet made a cake like this. The closest is my Friuli apple cornmeal cake from a Jiffy mix recipe David Rosengarten shared many years ago! Of course, I adapted it NOT to use the Jiffy mix, haha!
Cocoa & Lavender
October 25, 2017 at 3:16 pmI cannot imagine you ever using a cake mix, Christina. Me, neither!
Cheri Savory Spoon
October 23, 2017 at 4:00 pmI love cakes like this, simple ingredients, lovely flavors. It's recipes like this that require quality ingredients;)
Cocoa & Lavender
October 25, 2017 at 3:16 pmhat is so true, Cheri – the best of everything makes for a better cake!
Inger @ Art of Natural Living
November 11, 2017 at 2:51 pmCan't go wrong with lemon and lavender, David!
Cocoa & Lavender
November 13, 2017 at 2:25 pmIndeed, Inger!