Lavender Angel Food Cake Recipe
This lavender angel food cake recipe combines airy whipped egg whites with delicate floral lavender for a beautifully light dessert that feels elegant and refined. Featured on Flour Power and created by host Jessica McGovern, this soft sponge cake is topped with pastel lavender frosting for a stunning dessert ideal for celebrations, tea parties, and spring entertaining.
The fluffy texture of angel food cake paired with fragrant lavender creates a bakery-style dessert that feels both classic and modern. Its light sweetness and cloud-like texture make it perfect for those who love elegant cakes without heavy richness.
The Inspiration
Angel food cake has long been admired for its incredibly airy texture and delicate sweetness. Made primarily from whipped egg whites, this classic sponge cake achieves its signature height and softness without butter or heavy fats, creating a dessert that feels light, elegant, and timeless. This version from Flour Power introduces culinary lavender to the traditional recipe, adding floral sophistication and visual beauty.
Lavender has become increasingly popular in baking because of its gentle aromatic quality and ability to pair beautifully with vanilla, sugar, berries, and cream-based desserts. In this cake, crushed dried lavender buds subtly infuse the sponge with floral flavor while maintaining the airy structure that makes angel food cake so beloved.
Ingredients
Cake
- 12 egg whites, room temperature
- 1 ½ teaspoons (7.5 ml) cream of tartar
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) salt
- 1 cup (240 ml) caster sugar
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) dried lavender buds
- 1 cup (240 ml) cake flour
- 1 cup (240 ml) icing sugar
Frosting
- 2 egg whites
- 1 cup (240 ml) caster sugar
- ¼ teaspoon (1.25 ml) cream of tartar
- ½ cup (120 ml) water
- 6 drops (6 ml) red food coloring
- 8 drops (8 ml) blue food coloring
- Lavender buds, for decorating
Method
- Let’s get baking!
- Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C).
- Add egg whites, cream of tartar, and salt to a bowl.
- Beat until soft peaks form.
- Gradually add caster sugar.
- Add vanilla.
- Use a spice grinder to crush lavender buds and add to mixture.
- Beat until stiff peaks form.
- Mix flour and icing sugar into a bowl.
- Sift 1/3 of the flour mixture into the egg white mixture and fold in gently.
- Repeat for next 1/3.
- Repeat for last 1/3.
- Scoop into an ungreased angel food cake tin.
- Run a knife blade around the pan in a wiggly line – this will get rid of air bubbles.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean.
- Place inverted with the open centre of the pan balanced on the neck of a wine bottle to cool for at least 30 minutes.
- Run a knife around the perimeter of the cake pan to release the cake.
- Place onto a serving platter.
To make the frosting
- Add egg whites, caster sugar, cream of tartar, and water to a double boiler.
- Heat until sugar dissolves.
- Remove from heat and pour into a bowl.
- Add red and blue food colouring.
- Whip until stiff peaks form.
- Spread on the angel food cake.
- Top with lavender buds.
- Share.
Serving Suggestions
Serve slices alongside fresh berries, whipped cream, lemon curd, or vanilla bean ice cream for added freshness and contrast. The floral notes pair beautifully with Earl Grey tea, chamomile tea, lavender lattes, sparkling lemonade, or champagne cocktails for a sophisticated dessert experience.
For special occasions, decorate the serving platter with edible flowers, fresh lavender sprigs, or seasonal berries to enhance the garden-inspired presentation. Because the cake is visually striking yet light in texture, it works beautifully as both a casual tea-time dessert and an elegant celebration centerpiece.
Final Thoughts
This lavender angel food cake recipe is a celebration of delicate flavors, elegant presentation, and classic baking techniques. Combining airy whipped egg whites with fragrant lavender creates a dessert that feels sophisticated while remaining light and approachable.
Featured on Flour Power with host Jessica McGovern, this cake showcases how floral ingredients can transform a traditional sponge cake into something visually stunning and memorable. Its cloud-like texture, pastel frosting, and gentle lavender aroma make it perfect for celebrations, entertaining, or simply elevating everyday baking.
Whether served at a spring gathering, elegant tea party, or festive celebration, this lavender angel food cake delivers beauty, softness, and delicate flavor in every slice. It is a timeless dessert that combines comfort, creativity, and elegance all in one unforgettable recipe.