I know, I’ve made a lavender granola not too long ago, but I’ve just been wanting more of it lately. Well, part of the reason is that I need to use up the jar of dried lavender I have around the house, and I’ve already made cookies with them last month. This time, I cooked the granola differently. Instead of sprinkling dried lavender into the granola mixture before baking, I decided to infuse the lavender into maple syrup.
I got the idea to infuse lavender from a recent podcast of The Splendid Table. If you enjoy cooking, you’ll love the podcast! My favorite part of the show is when listeners call in with kitchen questions because a lot of the time, they apply to me, too! Lynne Rossetto Kasper’s impromptu recipe ideas are nothing short of genius. When I heard the idea of infusing lavender in liquid sweeteners (such as honey), I wanted to give it a try myself!
All I did was pour about 2/3 of a cup of maple syrup into a saucepan and threw in about 2 and 1/2 teaspoons of dried lavender. Then, I boiled down the syrup to about a 1/2 cup. I was a bit too eager to taste the maple syrup, so I may have burned my tongue a bit. Whoops!
I was quite surprised how the dried lavender mellowed out the maple syrup. I suppose I wasn’t sure what to expect! I let the maple syrup stand for about 2 hours before using it to cook the granola, and I didn’t bother straining out the lavender. I wanted to make sure that I could still taste the lavender in the granola after everything was said and done. I’ve got to say, this is a better way to make lavender granola! The lavender flavors just stuck with the granola much better this time around. Thanks, Lynne Rossetto Kasper for the suggestion (if you’re even reading my blog)!
I think I might try this Potatoes with Lavender and Rosemary recipe next time!
For the Leftovers Club this month, I was partnered with Kelly from Kelly Bakes. The food photography on her blog is fantastic! I am totally crushing over these Lemon Raspberry Madelines and Homemade Peppermint Joes right now. Also, the next time I have a party with my friends, I’m definitely going to make some of these Samoa Girl Scout Cookies Shots.
Lavender Mango Granola
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup (160ml) maple syrup
- 2 1/2 tsp dried culinary lavender*
- 1 1/4 cups (240g) buckwheat groats
- 1 1/4 cups (100g) rolled oats
- 1 cup (120g) raw cashews
- 1/2 cup (55g) chopped pecans
- 1/4 cup (30g) roasted unsalted peanuts
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- small pinch of salt
- 2 TBS coconut oil
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup (85g) chopped dried mango
Instructions
- Pour the maple syrup into a saucepan, and add the dried lavender. Heat the saucepan over medium-low heat. When the syrup starts to boil, stir it. Turn down the heat just a little and wait for the syrup to bubble again. When it starts bubbling, stir the syrup, and let it continue bubbling for about 2 minutes. Turn off the heat, and let the syrup stand for about 2 hours.
- When the maple syrup has been infused with the lavender, preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix all the dry ingredients in a large bowl (buckwheat groats, oatmeal, cashews, pecans, peanuts, cinnamon, and salt).
- You’ll notice that the maple syrup is very sticky and stiff. Heat the maple syrup with the coconut oil over medium-low heat, until the oil has melted and the liquid is runny. Turn off the heat and add in the vanilla. Pour the wet mixture with the dry ingredients, and stir everything until well incorporated.
- Spread the granola mixture on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until the granola is browned. Rotate the baking sheet once for even heat distribution.
- Let the granola cool before breaking it up. Mix the dried mango with the granola when it is cool enough to handle.
- Store the granola in an airtight container in room temperature for 1 to 2 weeks.
Liz @ Floating Kitchen says
I LOVE the color of the milk! So pretty, Lisa!
Lisa says
Thanks, Liz! Just blended some strawberries in there!
Shaina says
Sounds amazing. I love lavender for it’s calming effect, but I have never used it in cooking before!
Lisa says
Yea! The lavender flavor isn’t too overpower, but definitely there.
Ginger Stark says
I would have never thought to add lavender to my granola- great idea!
Lisa says
I LOVE lavender in my granola. Give it a try soon!
Michele @ Alwayzbakin says
Oh my goodness, that sounds so fancy and delicious! Lucky partner!
Lisa says
Thanks, Michele!
Elizabeth@ Food Ramblings says
This looks so good- lavender must have been such a treat in the granola!
Lisa says
Thanks, Elizabeth!
Faye says
I’ve always been afraid to bake with lavendar. This recipe looks great! Might have to give it a try : )
Lisa says
Thanks, Faye! I was afraid to cook with lavender until a few months ago. It’s just a great way to add some light flavor in there!
Patrick says
Can you use lavender that hasn’t been dried? I can readily find live culinary lavender but not the dried variety. Should I dry out the live plant and wait or could I just add it to the maple syrup as is?
Lisa says
Patrick, I’ve never tried that before, but I don’t see why not. I would definitely add the culinary lavender to the maple syrup as is—perhaps the flavor may be a bit bolder too. Do let me know how that goes for you!
Serenity says
When it comes to making a lavender syrup – using fresh lavender works fine. I do it regularly and it always turns out really lovely! Plus a little goes a long way (flavor wise) so it lasts quite a while (up to two weeks) in a glass jar in my fridge.
Lisa Lin says
Great tip!