Not everyone has hours to spend making a cake entirely from scratch, but that doesn’t mean you can’t serve something beautiful for birthdays, weddings, Easter, housewarmings, or simply to celebrate an ordinary day. This semi-homemade lavender-glazed cake gives you the best of both worlds: easy base layers from a boxed mix paired with an elegant homemade lavender glaze and fresh floral decoration.
This version starts with five thin cake layers that were lightly crumb-coated. The layers were baked from a standard boxed cake mix in 6-inch springform pans, then cooled and leveled. Stack the layers with frosting between each, then apply a thin crumb coat to seal in crumbs and create a smooth surface for the glaze. Once the crumb coat sets, you’re ready for the lavender glaze.
Lavender Glaze Recipe
- 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 tablespoon dried lavender
- 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- Purple food coloring (optional)
Instructions
Place the assembled, crumb-coated cake on the stand or serving plate you’ll use—moving it after glazing will be difficult.
Warm the heavy whipping cream in a small saucepan over low heat. Add the dried lavender and let it steep for 5–8 minutes; the longer it steeps, the stronger the lavender flavor will be.
Sift the powdered sugar into a bowl and set aside. When the lavender cream has infused, strain out the lavender buds and pour the infused cream into the powdered sugar. Whisk until smooth; if you still see lumps, strain the mixture again for an even texture. Add a drop or two of purple food coloring if you want a subtle tint.
Using a spatula, pour the glaze onto the center of the cake and gently spread it across the top, letting it naturally flow down the sides. For larger drips or to fill thin spots, spoon extra glaze onto the edge where you want it to run further down.
Recipe by Anissa Saxton
Photography and styling by Brittni Mehlhoff
Floral flavors like lavender can add an elegant, aromatic note to cakes without overpowering them when used sparingly. If you enjoy subtle, fragrant accents in desserts, this glaze is a lovely way to elevate an otherwise easy-to-make, semi-homemade cake. What do you think of floral flavors in cakes—would you try this lavender glaze?