Description
Are you ready to bake the best honey lavender muffins with Greek yogurt that will delight your taste buds and fill your kitchen with the enchanting scent of lavender?
As the warm days of July roll in, there's no better time to head out to the lavender farms on the eastern end of Long Island.
Lavender bloom season is in full swing, offering the freshest lavender flowers to inspire your baking adventures.
Today, I'm excited to share one of the most popular recipes from my newest cookbook, "The Healthy Muffin" – The Best Honey Lavender Muffins with Greek Yogurt.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups of Whole Wheat Flour
- 1 Teaspoon of Baking Powder
- 1/2 Teaspoon of Baking Soda
- 1/4 Teaspoon of Lavender Salt or Sea Salt
- 1 Tablespoon of Dried Lavender Flowers
- 1/3 cup of Honey
- 1/4 cup of Unsweetened Applesauce
- 1/4 cup of Almond Milk
- 2 Eggs
- 1 Teaspoon of Vanilla Extract
- 1/3 cup of Greek Yogurt - Non-Fat
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 12 cup muffin pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and dried lavender.
- In a separate bowl, mix honey, applesauce, almond milk, eggs, vanilla extract, and Greek Yogurt until well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until combined.
- Distribute the muffin batter evenly into the muffin cups. Add a sprinkle of lavender on top.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow muffins to cool on a wire rack to room temperature before serving.
- Optional. Coat with powdered sugar or powdered Stevia.
Notes
Expert Tips and Recipe Variations:
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Opt for fresh culinary lavender to ensure the most vibrant floral notes in your muffins.
- Lavender Extract: A few drops of lavender extract can enhance the lavender flavor without overpowering the muffins.
- Infuse Milk: Make lavender milk by steeping lavender buds in warm milk, then strain before adding to the batter.
- Balance Flavors: Add lemon zest to the batter for a refreshing citrus flavor that complements the floral notes of the lavender.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: Use freshly squeezed lemon juice to brighten the muffins and enhance the overall flavor.
- Brown Sugar: Replace some of the granulated sugar with brown sugar for a deeper, caramel-like sweetness.
- Greek Yogurt: Greek yogurt adds moisture and a slight tang, balancing the sweetness of the honey.
- Sour Cream: Substitute some of the Greek yogurt with sour cream for an extra tender crumb.
- Culinary Lavender: Always use culinary lavender, as other types may be too strong and bitter.
- Proper Mixing: Mix the batter gently to avoid overworking it, which can make the muffins tough.
- Lemon Lavender Combo: For a twist, try making lemon lavender muffins by increasing the lemon zest and adding a bit more lemon juice.
- Zest Whole Lemons: Use the zest of whole lemons for the most intense citrus flavor.
- Storage: Store the muffins in an airtight container to keep them fresh for up to 3-4 days.
- Muffin Liners: Use muffin liners to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Cooling: Let the muffins cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to finish cooling.
- Glazing: Drizzle a simple glaze made of powdered sugar and lemon juice over the cooled muffins for extra sweetness.
- Poppy Seeds: Add poppy seeds to the batter for a delightful crunch and a subtle nutty flavor.
- Testing Doneness: Use a toothpick to test if the muffins are done; it should come out clean or with a few crumbs.
- Batch Size: Consider making a double batch and freezing the extras for a quick and delicious treat later on.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve these muffins at a tea party or with your morning coffee for a delightful start to your day.
- Prep Time: 10 Minutes
- Cook Time: 20 Minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin
- Calories: 99
- Sugar: 8.5 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 1.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 19.8 g
- Protein: 3.6 g
- Cholesterol: 31.2 mg