Summer Strawberries with Lavender Whipped Cream

Summer is the perfect time to enjoy the bounty of orchards and berry patches. Lavender pairs especially well with peaches, lemon, strawberries, blueberries and blackberries. In sweet desserts, lavender adds a sweet floral (and sometimes a little minty!) flavor and is fantastic in ice cream, sorbets and whipped cream.

 

Strawberries with Lavender Simple Syrup

 

Ingredients:

1 pound fresh summer strawberries cleaned and sliced
¼ cup Lavender Simple Syrup (recipe below)

Directions:

Stir Lavender Simple Syrup into berries and let rest for 15 min to allow berries to macerate.  Enjoy the simplicity of summer berries with the subtle hint of lavender or spoon over ice cream or pound cake for a more decadent summer treat!  To create a complete lavender dessert, dress the strawberries with Lavender Simple Syrup Whipped Cream.

Lavender Whipped Cream

Ingredients:

1 cup heavy whipping cream
½ teaspoon vanilla
¼ cup Lavender Simple Syrup (recipe below)

Directions:

In a medium bowl, combine ingredients.  Using an electric mixer, beat on high setting for 3-5 minutes until peaks form when a spoon is pulled from cream.  Do not over-beat the cream or the texture will not be smooth and the taste will become buttery.  Enjoy the whipped cream by itself (we do!) or spooned over berries!

Organic Lavender Simple Syrup

 

Ingredients:

1 cup water
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon Organic Culinary Lavender

Directions:

In a small sauce pan, combine water and sugar.  Heat over a medium heat until sugar is dissolved and remove from heat.  Add lavender in a tea infuser to the heated syrup and let steep.  If you do not have a tea infuser, add the lavender to the hot syrup, then strain the syrup through a fine mesh colander when cooled.  Remove lavender when the syrup has completely cooled.  You now have a delicious syrup ready to be added to your favorite summer fruit, lemonade, juice, coffee, tea, cocktail or cider!