* 3 1/2 cups superfine granulated sugar* * 1/4 cup dried Provence culinary lavender buds and leaves * 1 small linen herb bag
Place 1 cup of sugar in a quart sized jar with a non reactive lid. Fill the herb bag with the lavender buds and leaves and place it in the jar. Fill the jar with the rest of the sugar. Place the lid on the jar and keep sealed for 4-6 weeks. Use the lavender sugar in baking, hot and cold drinks and to sprinkle on fruit salads.
NOTE: For a special but easy dessert, replace the plain granulated white sugar in your favorite chocolate brownie recipe with lavender sugar and add 1/2 cup each of finely chopped dried apricots and walnuts to the batter. Bake as usual. The combination of lavender, chocolate, apricot and walnut is sensational!
This sugar adds a special flavor note when substituted for white sugar in a strawberry sorbet recipe. Garnish each serving of the lavender strawberry sorbet with a fresh lavender sprig.
*You can substitute confectioner's sugar for the granulated sugar in this method. The scented confectioner's sugar can then be used to make a lovely lavender perfumed icing for cakes and cookies.