I love cooking with lavender. This Lavender, Honey and Orange Posset is a twist on my Lemon Posset recipe. Once I discovered what a ridiculously easy dessert posset is, I knew I had to try new flavor combinations.
I love lavender. I love the smell, the plants in my garden, and even the flavor when it’s infused in food. But perhaps it shines the most in desserts. Lavender and citrus is such a delicious flavor combination! And thus was born this sublime lavender, honey and orange posset. (This post was originally published on July 31st, 2013 and has been updated to contain nutritional information. As an Amazon Affiliate I earn commission on qualifying purchases.)
Is lavender edible?
Lavender is definitely an edible plant. However, you need to make sure that the lavender you purchase is organic and suitable for baking or cooking.
Of course if you grow it in your yard and are sure that it’s free from pesticides, that’s even better! Some lavender is sold for other purposes, like bath bombs, sachets or household cleaners. If you can’t source culinary lavender locally, you can find organic lavender here.
What flavors go well with lavender?
Lavender goes well with most fruits; citrus, stone fruits or berries like these Lavender Blackberry Margaritas.
Blackberry-Lavender Margarita.
Or apples, like this Apple Lavender Galette from Emily Fabulous.
Lavender pairs so well with honey! What about these gorgeous Honey Lavender Cupcakes by Caked By Katie?
How do you infuse lavender in foods?
Lavender infused sugar, honey or vinegar is very simple.
- For lavender sugar: cover a few lavender buds in extra coarse sugar crystals,. This makes a great hostess gift, present it in a simple mason jar with a pretty lavender ribbon. Lavender sugar is delicious on Lavender Shortbread.
- For lavender honey: Purchase good quality honey, pour it into small jars, and tuck a couple of sprigs of lavender into each jar. In a few days, the honey will have a delicate hint of lavender! It’s delicious in a cup of Earl Grey tea.
Lavender honey makes a sweet hostess gift!
Lavender is a key component in Herbes de Provence. Try this French Roasted Chicken for a continental twist on a classic roasted chicken.
Lavender has so many uses beyond the kitchen.
I’m lucky to have several lavender plants growing in my yard. Since lavender is water-smart, it’s a perfect addition to dry Southern California gardens. Lavender is also known for its calming effects. Keep a small bottle of lavender oil or lavender linen mist next to your bed Mix a few drops of oil with water and keep it in a spray bottle, and then lightly mist some on your pillows at night for a soothing night’s sleep.
How to make Lavender, Honey and Orange Posset
Posset really is the easiest dessert you’ll ever make. The citrus curdles the heavy cream and sugar. It’s then chilled for a couple of hours until set. The texture is very similar to panna cotta or creme brulee, but far simpler!
Ingredients:
- Heavy cream
- Honey
- Culinary lavender
- Orange zest and juice
- sugar
Chop lavender.
Bring cream to a boil with sugar and lavender. Add orange juice. Pour into ramekins. Chill.
Lavender Honey and Orange Posset
Ingredients
- 16 ounces heavy cream
- 1 1/2 teaspoons lavender bud chopped
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup raw honey
- 1 Tablespoons orange zest
- 1 medium orange juiced (about 1/4 cup)
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Bring cream, lavender, honey and sugar to a boil over a medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves, about 3 minutes. Adjust heat as needed to prevent cream from boiling over.
- Remove from heat. Stir in orange and lemon juices and orange zest and cool for 10 minutes.
- Stir mixture again. Pour into 6-8 small ramekins. (If you don't want bits of lavender, strain mixture first)
- Cover and chill at least 1 hour to overnight.
christina says
I can attest to the posset being a FABULOUS no bake treat! It’s so easy and delicious, although I haven’t had the lavender flavored posset yet. I had a lot of lavender at my last house, but the one here died a few years ago. 🙁
Lovely to see so many uses for it in the kitchen! Great recipes, Cynthia, and I love the bee shots!
Cynthia says
Thank you christina! I’m so torn as to whether lavender is my favorite herb!
Kathy says
Hi,Cynthia
I am wanting to make lavender bark,do you have a recipe?
I will be making your lavender shortbread cookies,can’t wait to try it out.
Have a good week.
Thank you,
Kathy
Cynthia says
I don’t have a recipe for lavender bark, but boy that sounds delicious! Maybe I need to try it? Let me know how you like the lavender shortbread.
Cristina Petrini says
Cooking with lavender is not easy, but not impossible, this recipe of yours is really interesting and intriguing. To try!
Jupiter Hadley says
I have not thought of lavender as a cooking ingredient! It sounds so fancy and looks like something princesses would eat, to be honest!
Cynthia says
It’s a wonderfully subtle flavor.
Lisa at Following the Rivera says
I’ve seen these posset recipes, but have never tried one before. Lavender would be so aromatic!
Cynthia says
Posset is one of my go-to desserts!
MELANIE EDJOURIAN says
I’ve never used lavender in foods before. I’ve only ever used it externally for medical reasons. This is something I need to try.
Jenjen Balatico says
This is interesting and new to me. I am excited to try one of the above mentioned – roasted chicken
Cynthia says
The chicken is sublime!
jenn says
Can you please give the amount of orange juice needed? Oranges vary in the amount of juice even if we both thought of “medium” the same way, which I am sure also varies. This would be helpful to someone trying to make the recipe. Thanks!
Cynthia says
Thanks for bringing it to my attention. 1/4 cup or about 4 Tablespoons is what an average medium sized lemon produces. The nice thing about a posset is that the citrus is what thickens the cream so 3 1/2 or 4 1/2 won’t make a huge difference to the outcome. Hope that helps. I’m going to update it with a more exact measurement though. Thank you!
Yeah Lifestyle says
I love the scent and flavour of lavender but never used it myself at home, these are great suggestions and I would like to try it in biscuits
Cynthia Nicoletti says
Wow how interesting !! I have never even thought of cooking with lavender. What a great idea have to try it.
paula richie says
I love lavender and have not yet considered cooking with it.
Catherine says
I love baking with lavender and I make lavender lemonade during the summer months. It is such a beautiful ingredient. Your posset looks so elegant and delightful!
Fatima T says
I love adding lavender to my lemonade. Never thought to mix it with honey though.
Cynthia says
such a subtle flavor!
Sondra says
This is very interesting! Never cooked with lavender before but I might have to try after this!
Giftbasketworldwide says
Helpful one! Thank You so much.
Julette McDonnell says
I just bought some amazing dried lavender and was looking for a quick recipe that I could use it in to see if the flavor of the buds was good, and as soon as I saw this recipe, I wanted to give it a try. I did not have a lemon in my fridge (I live in the country and 30 miles away from the closet grocery store) so I don’t think it curdled as much as it was supposed to. Even without the lemon, the flavor was phenomenal. It was light and sweet and was a perfect reminder that spring is just around the corner!
The lavender that I used was some of the best lavender I have ever smelled and tasted. I got it from here:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/Norwoodlavenderfarm?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=473671718
Cynthia says
I’m glad that it worked out even without the lemon! That lavender sounds fabulous!
Jeanie says
How much lavender paste should I use instead of fresh, as the recipe calls for.
Cynthia says
Hi Jeanie,
I’m not sure if I’ve ever seen or heard of lavender paste? Maybe a 1/2 teaspoon?
Tammy R. says
I have to say, I just LOVE your posset recipes! I’ve made them so many times, and always receive rave reviews when I make it! Thank you SO much!
Cynthia says
thank you!
Fi says
Delicious! The lavender taste is clear but subtle. Hoping my guests will love this multi layered taste treat.
Cynthia says
Glad you liked it! Thank you!