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by kkregel | July 5, 2011 · 7:49 am

Lemon Lavender Cupcakes

I’ve had several requests lately for the Lemon Lavender Cupcakes that I made for my sister’s recent lovebirds themed bridal shower. So today, by popular demand, I’m sharing the recipe! The cupcakes have layers of subtle, fresh flavors that work perfectly for a shower or party. Enjoy!

Lemon Lavender Cupcakes
Lemon Cupcakes
1 1/2 C self-rising flour
1 1/4 C all-purpose flour
1 C butter
2 C sugar
1 tsp vanilla
4 eggs
1 1/2 Tbsp fresh lemon zest (1 lg lemon)
2/3 C fresh squeezed lemon juice (3-5 lemons)
1/3 C half and half

Preheat oven to 350. Combine flours in a small bowl and set aside. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time and beat in vanilla and lemon zest. Juice lemons. Begin with the flours and alternately add one-third of the flours and half of the lemon juice beating well after each addition. Add final third of flour and beat well. Beat in half and half. Spoon mixture into lined muffin pans, filling each cup 3/4 full. Bake for 20-22 minutes for large cupcakes or 15-17 minutes for standard cupcakes. Let cool completely.

Lavender Frosting
8 oz reduced fat cream cheese (room temp!)
4 Tbsp butter (room temp!)
3+ C powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 Tbsp half and half
2-3 Tbsp flour (if needed)
3-4 Tbsp Lavender Simple Syrup

Lavender Simple Syrup
1 Tbsp dried lavender flowers
1/4 C sugar
1/2 C water

In a small sauce pan, combine sugar and water and bring to a simmer until sugar is dissolved. Add lavender and simmer on low heat for 3 minutes. Strain liquid into a small bowl to remove lavender and let cool completely.

In a large bowl, beat together butter and cream cheese until well combined. Beat in vanilla and 2 Tbsp simple syrup. Beat in powdered sugar, one cup at a time until mixture is moderately sweet. Add 1-2 more Tbsp simple syrup. Beat in additional powdered sugar if mixture is not sweet enough or half and half to get a creamier consistency. To thicken, add more powdered sugar or a few Tbsp flour and beat well. Lavender flavor will be subtle. Frost cupcakes and sprinkle with dried lavender flowers.

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Tagged as elegant cupcake recipes, lavender frosting, lavender simple syrup, lemon cupcake recipe, lemon lavender cupcakes

by kkregel | June 13, 2011 · 8:10 am

Lovebirds Bridal Shower

Last weekend I threw a lovebirds themed bridal shower for my younger sister who is getting married in August. I created custom invites for the shower to match the colors of her wedding and complement her invitations, which focus on a pretty calligraphy font.

To fit the theme, the table was decorated with a rustic white bird cage that held two little bird candles as my “lovebirds” and was surrounded by moss and small potted garden flowers. The flowers were tied up with twine and tags with the couple’s name on them and served double duty as favors for guests.

A mimosa punch was dressed up with paper straws that held whimsical paper bird cutouts.

Simple salads were the dishes du jour, making it easy to prep food as a hostess. A chicken, grape tomato and bocconcini salad was dressed with spinach and garlic mustard pesto made from my CSA bounty. Served along side it was a mixed greens salad with radishes, pecans and green apples. All dishes were marked with tags that matched the invitations.