Lavender Honey Bread Recipe — Spring Floral Elegance
This floral bread is giving major spring garden vibes! 🪻🍯 Culinary lavender and local honey make it fragrant but not overpowering. Perfect for Easter brunch or afternoon tea. The smell while baking is absolutely heavenly.
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- all-purpose flour 2.5 cups
- whole milk 0.75 cup
- active dry yeast 2.25 tsp
- eggs 2 pieces
- unsalted butter, softened 0.25 cup
- local honey 0.25 cup
Seasonings/Sauce
- culinary dried lavender 1.5 tsp
- fine sea salt 0.75 tsp
- vanilla extract 1 tsp
Nutrition summary
Carbohydrates
36 g
66%
Protein
5 g
9%
Fat
5 g
25%
Cooking steps
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1
Warm the whole milk to about 110°F in a small saucepan or microwave. Sprinkle in the active dry yeast and 1 tbsp of the honey. Let stand until foamy, about 5–10 minutes.
-
2
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, culinary dried lavender, and sea salt. (Tradition tip: culinary lavender is milder and meant for baking—makes all the difference for an authentic floral aroma.)
-
3
Stir in the yeast mixture, remaining honey, eggs, and vanilla extract. Begin mixing, then add the softened butter. Knead dough by hand or mixer until smooth and elastic, about 8–10 minutes.
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4
Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover and let rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, 1–1.5 hours. (The dough should be soft and pillowy!)
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5
Punch down dough gently, shape into a loaf, and transfer to a greased 9x5-inch loaf pan. Cover and let rise again for 30–40 minutes, until puffy.
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6
Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake the bread for 28–32 minutes, until golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.
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7
Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove and finish cooling on a wire rack. Optional: Brush the top with a little warm honey for extra shine and aroma before slicing and serving.
Personalized Q&A
Q. Why is this Lavender Honey Bread recipe perfect for spring entertaining?
This bread weaves together fragrant culinary lavender and local honey, which are classic spring ingredients, evoking a fresh garden feel. Its light floral scent and gentle sweetness make it ideal for festive spring occasions like Easter brunch or afternoon tea, and it celebrates seasonal flavors in an authentically elegant way.
Q. How do I prevent my Lavender Honey Bread dough from being too dry?
To avoid a dry dough, ensure the milk is properly warmed and don't add extra flour beyond what's called for. Knead until the dough feels soft and elastic—if it seems tough, drizzle in a teaspoon or two of additional milk. Covering the dough well during rise prevents drying out.
Q. Can this bread be made in advance, and how should I serve it?
Yes! You can bake Lavender Honey Bread the night before. Once completely cooled, wrap it tightly in foil or plastic and store at room temperature. For serving, slice thickly and offer with soft butter, or toast lightly for an extra-crisp edge.
Q. How many calories and carbs are in one serving of this bread?
Each 80g serving contains approximately 220 kcal, with 36g carbohydrates (66% of calories), 5g protein (9%), and 5g fat (25%).
Q. Can I make this recipe gluten-free or dairy-free?
Absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for a gluten-free bread. For dairy-free, use unsweetened almond milk and a vegan butter alternative. The results will maintain the lovely lavender-honey aroma and flavor.
