Friday, June 24, 2011

Honey Lavender Ice Cream

You know that smell when you go into a health food store or farmer's market (like Sprouts), near the lotions and beauty items aisle?  Kind of a strong, floral smell?  If you really really like that smell and wish you could have it in something to eat, this ice cream is for you.



I had seen recipes around with lavender in them, and wanted to give it a try.  When I bought my little dried lavender flowers and brought them home, after a thorough sniffing I was pretty sure it wasn't something I would enjoy in a foodstuff, but I proceeded anyway.   

This recipe is from Epicurious.   It starts out by making a custard, and really isn't difficult; and the consistency was definitely pleasing....



....this was after freezing overnight.  But it smelled and tasted more like a soap to me.  Maybe I should melt it down for Lavender Milk Bath :)
But if you are someone who enjoys that flavor, I do recommend this recipe.  Here it is for you.  


  • 2 cups heavy cream




  • 1 cup half-and-half




  • 2/3 cup mild honey




  • 2 tablespoons dried edible lavender flowers




  • 2 large eggs




  • 1/8 teaspoon salt







  • Bring cream, half-and-half, honey, and lavender just to a boil in a 2-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, then remove pan from heat. Let steep, covered, 30 minutes.
    Pour cream mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl and discard lavender. Return mixture to cleaned saucepan and heat over moderate heat until hot.
    Whisk together eggs and salt in a large bowl, then add 1 cup hot cream mixture in a slow stream, whisking. Pour into remaining hot cream mixture in saucepan and cook over moderately low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until thick enough to coat back of spoon and registers 170 to 175°F on thermometer, about 5 minutes (do not let boil).
    Pour custard through sieve into cleaned bowl and cool completely, stirring occasionally. Chill, covered, until cold, at least 3 hours.
    Freeze custard in ice cream maker. Transfer ice cream to an airtight container and put in freezer to harden.

    P.S.  I'll bet this recipe would be just dandy if you substituted some vanilla bean for the lavender. 

    9 comments:

    Mimi said...

    I have alawys want to cook with lavender, but I have been afarid of the soap taste. I think for now I'll just enjoy how pretty the lavender looks in the garden.
    Mimi

    The JR said...

    Lavender is too strong for me, even the smell ends up in my taste buds.

    Monica H said...

    Who doesn't love eating soap? ha!

    I actually bought a bottle of dried lavender about a year ago and never made anything with it. I was going to make shortbread with it and I still might, but I think steeping it in ice cream custard would be too much for me. I don't think I'd want to make it, but I would like to try it!

    PS. I like your new blog look.

    Lunch Buckets said...

    I don't want to eat soap. Do you have an ice cream maker thing? What kind? I used to have one of those with the bowls that goes in the freezer but it was small and annoying and I kept forgetting to freeze the bowl.

    The Glamorous Gourmet said...

    Thanks for your honest opinion of this recipe. I've been concerned about cooking with lavender for that reason too. Hope you have a fabulous and delicious weekend!

    Anonymous said...

    I've never cooked with lavender but have always been curious about it. I think I'd be like you though and will have to give this recipe a pass. It was fun reading about it though!

    Monet said...

    I love lavender...I love cooking with it, and of course, I love having it in my bedroom. Thank you for sharing with me. This was a great way to start my Saturday. I always leave your blog smiling. Have a beautiful and blessed weekend

    Judy said...

    I've never even tasted lavendar. I have a yard full of it but don't use it. This is so tempting, but I agree, use some vanilla bean in place of some of the lavendar, at least for the first time.

    My Little Space said...

    It's 10.30pm right now over here! And you're making me hungry. ha... Hop eyou're having a great weekend.
    Kristy