Not everyone has time to slave away in the kitchen for hours to make a perfectly ‘from scratch’ cake. But that doesn’t mean you don’t want something pretty to serve up on special occasions (birthdays, Easter, weddings, housewarmings) or for no reason at all.
So, for all of us out there that want the WOW factor without the fuss, try this semi-homemade cake idea. It combines something simple that literally anyone can pull off (aka boxed cake mix) with something a bit more special (aka homemade lavender glaze) AND fresh flowers.
We started with a 5 layer cake that was lightly crumb coated. The cake layers were created with a regular box mix and separated out in 6 inch spring form cake pans. Once cooled, and leveled, add icing in between each layer as you stack them. Then crumb coat. You can see how Anissa did the crumb coating right here in a quick video she made.
Once done, it’s time for the lavender glaze…
Lavender Glaze Recipe
- 3/4 cup of heavy whipping cream
- 1 tablespoon of dried lavender
- 2 1/2 cups of powered sugar
- purple food coloring
Instructions
Place your cake on a cake stand (or whatever you plan to serve it from) because once you start the glazing process it will be hard to move.
Next, pour heavy whipping cream into a small sauce pan and stir on low heat.
Add lavender, stir, and let the lavender steep for about 5 – 8 minutes. The longer you let the lavender steep the stronger it will be.
In another bowl, sift your powered sugar, and set aside.
Once your lavender mixture is ready, strain it, and add it to the powdered sugar bowl. Whisk until well combined, if you still see lumps just strain the glaze again.
Then, with a spatula in hand, pour the mixture on top of the cake and spread it across the top and allow the lavender glaze to fall over the sides of the cake.
If you start to see holes or wish to have lager drips just take a spoon and add more glaze to that area.
Recipe by Anissa Saxton
Photography and styling by Brittni Mehlhoff
What do you think of floral flavors in cakes? Yay or nay? Would love to hear your thoughts.
13 comments | Click here to reply
I’d check the edibles list to be sure, Daisy. Just to be safe. 🙂
BrittniYummm! Totally making this. If I am buying flowers from the grocery store to decorate it with, do I need to look at anything specific to make sure they’re edible? Or am I okay with whatever since I’m obviously not going to eat them..?
Daisy @ The CrafternoonThis does not look like a semi homemade cake mostly because of the top layer pastel purple frosting and flowers which makes them so much more interesting!
Marwa | Enthralling Gumptionhow clever!!! I love the semi-homemade….who really has time for ALL of that ALL of the time???? And if you do, can I borrow some time??? LOL. This looks super easy..and i feel like you could change it up just a tad…like a lemon glaze…or blueberry glaze…both easy enough and just enough of a change that you could do the same cake over and over for different parties. yep. Im in!!!
kateThis sounds amazing, it’s so cool what you can conjure out of a simple box cake mix!
Michellehttps://www.makeandmess.com/
Thanks Anglea.
BrittniIt looks soooo goooood! WOW!
Anglea BelenDefinitely Emily! Lemon frosting would be a great pairing.
BrittniWow – I want to try this NOW! It’s so lovely! I could imagine a lemon frosting pairing nicely with this. I do love me some lemon, though!
EmilyYum! Honey and lavender sound like a great combo, Jen. I’ll have to check that out.
BrittniLove the “semi homemade” idea. I always like making things from scratch but sometimes there just isn’t time. And this still gives the personal touch. And I love all things lavender! I posted a lavender infused honey recipe recently and I have been using that on pretty much everything haha http://www.asipofbliss.com/lavender-infused-honey/
xo Jen
Jen | A Sip of BlissGood questions Irving…. The frosting can be store bought as well. We used a buttercream frosting. As far as flavors that pair well with lavender, I would recommend chocolate, vanilla, or lemon. Hope that helps!
BrittniThat looks amazing! Now I do have a question? What kind of frosting is in between the layers? Also what cake flavors pair well with the flavor of lavender?
Irving gil