LAVENDER BLACKBERRY CRUMBLE

INGREDIENTS

For the fruit

• 4 cups fresh blackberries
• 1/3 cup of honey (may use lavender honey or maple syrup, if preferred)
• 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 1/2 Tbsp cornstarch
• 1/2 tsp lavender extract
• 1-2 tsp ground culinary lavender buds
• Optional: 1/4 – 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

For the topping

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup whole rolled oats
• 1-2 tsp ground culinary lavender
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 3/4 cup  AP flour*
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 8 tbsp (1 stick) unsalted butter, chunked
• 1/2 tsp lavender extract

*Note: For a gluten-free option, use a gluten-free flour.

INSTRUCTIONS

Prepare pan: Grease an 8×8  inch square pan with cooking spray or butter.

Preheat oven: 350ºF (regular bake)

Prepare the fruit:

1. In a medium bowl, combine the honey, cornstarch, lemon juice, ground culinary buds, lavender extract and optional vanilla extract.  Make sure the cornstarch is well dispersed.
2. Mix well to distribute the cornstarch and buds evenly.
3. Add the blackberries and mix gently until they are evenly coated with the honey mixture.
4. Set aside.

Prepare the topping:

1. In another medium bowl, place the sugar, oats, cinnamon, salt, ground culinary bud and flour.  Whisk to distribute all the dry ingredients.
2. Place the chunks of butter in the bowl with the dry ingredients and sprinkle 1/2 tsp of lavender extract over the butter.
3. Use a fork or dough blender (pastry cutter) to integrate the butter with the dry ingredients, aiming for pea-sized pieces.

Assemble and bake:

1. Place the fruit mixture in the prepared baking dish.
2. Sprinkle the topping over the fruit to form a fairly uniform layer.
3. Bake in the middle of the oven for 30-35 minutes or until top is golden brown and blackberry mixture is bubbling.
4. Allow to cool for a several minutes before serving warm with ice cream or a whipped topping.

* LAVENDER TASTING TIPS

A good quality, culinary grade lavender bud with robust flavor suitable for sweet baked goods is needed for this recipe.  Because the potency of individual samples of buds varies considerably, you will need to taste in order to judge the appropriate amount of ground bud to use.  Lavender extract will enhance the floral aspect of the flavoring, but is cannot stand up to this recipe’s required baking, so consider it an augmentation of the somewhat more durable flavor derived from the ground buds.  Be careful when adding vanilla: it will increase the depth of the combined flavors, but you should avoid smothering the lavender.  The taste of lavender has to be distinct and clear before baking to stand any chance of being perceptible after baking.  Lavender and blackberry flavors mesh very well, with the aromatic herbal notes of the lavender lingering in the aftertaste to enhance the sense of sweetness from the jammy, cooked berries.