How to Make Lavender Honey and Cherry Cake

Using Cherries and Honey of the Vaucluse Region of Provence, France.

Mar 24, 2009 Heidi Brand

Fields of lavender and cherry orchards form part of the lifeblood of Provence. These natural products combine to make a mouth watering cake loved by children and adults.

As far back as ancient Rome, Greece and China cherries are mentioned in documented records. While in the 1600's French colonists, from Normandy, introduced them to America.

Cherries of the Vaucluse

The Vaucluse region of Provence is the leading cherry growing region of France, with 79% of all the country's cherry production coming from here. Three thousand professionals work in the sector and three-quarters of the harvest is reserved for the conserved fruit sector, says The Vaucluse Development Information produced by France's Economic Development Agency.

Nutritional Benefits

As well as tasting delicious, fresh cherries are a good source of, amongst other things, Vitamins A and C, fibre and certain antioxidants that have been linked with the fight against cancer and heart disease.

Lavender Honey

As well as juicy cherries this recipe benefits from Lavender Honey, or miel de lavande. The bees feed on the striking purple and pale mauve lavender flowers that carpet Provence during July and August, to produce this local delicacy. There are numerous different types of honey, its flavour and colour are determined by the flowers from which the nectar is collected. Lavender honey is renowned for its delicate scent and smooth, rich taste.

Historical Uses for Honey

The first and most widespread sweetener for ancient man, it was also a highly valued form of currency, tribute or offering. Used in food stuffs and beverages, it also had a less conventional use in ancient Egypt as an embalming fluid.

Alternative Ingredients

Although this recipe benefits from the unique flavour of lavender honey, it can be adapted to use any type of honey if lavender isn't avaliable.

Hard Honey - A Tip

If the honey has turned hard, before use, soften it by warming in a saucepan over a gentle heat until it becomes liquid, otherwise it won't be evenly distributed throughout the mixture.

Making the Lavender Honey and Cherry Cake - Ingredients

50g Butter
50g Brown Sugar
1 tablespoon of Liquid Lavdender Honey
100g Self Raising Flour
2 Eggs
75g Halved and de-stoned fresh cherries

Method

Place the butter, sugar and honey into a mixing bowl and beat together using a wooden spoon until creamy.
Add the flour and eggs and mix together.
Add the cherries and stir in gently until they are combined evenly throughout the mixture.
Pour the mixture into a pre-greased 20cm round sandwich tin.
Cook for 45 minutes at Gas Mark 5, 190°C, until golden brown and well risen.

Serving Suggestion

Cut into slices and serve on its own, or with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream or crème fraiche.

Dairy Free Version

People with a dairy allergy can enjoy this cake too, just replace the butter with 50g of margarine.

The copyright of the article How to Make Lavender Honey and Cherry Cake in Baking & Desserts is owned by Heidi Brand. Permission to republish How to Make Lavender Honey and Cherry Cake in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Ripe Cherries close up, Vaucluse, Provence

Cherry Blossom, Vaucluse, Provence

Bee Gathering Lavender Nectar, Vaucluse, Provence

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