Lavender Pink Grapefruit Cupcakes

These lavender-scented pink grapefruit cupcakes make a delightful treat for a ladies luncheon or afternoon tea.

Recipe Ingredients:

Cupcakes:
2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons lavender flowers, (no stems)
1/2 cup pink grapefruit juice
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup clover honey*
2 large eggs

Pink Grapefruit Buttercream Frosting:
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup grapefruit juice
2 tablespoons clover honey*
4 to 5 cups powdered sugar
2 to 3 drops red food color (optional)

Cooking Directions:

1. For Cupcakes: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
3. With the back of a spoon, crush lavender flowers and combine with flour mixture; mix well and set aside.
4. In a liquid measure, combine pink grapefruit juice and buttermilk; set aside.
5. In a mixing bowl, cream butter until fluffy; scraping sides of bowl, as necessary. Add honey; mix well. Add eggs, one at a time, scraping down sides of bowl after each addition. Add half of the reserved dry ingredients to the butter mixture; mix on low until just combined. With mixer running on low, slowly add the grapefruit mixture. Add remaining dry ingredients until just combined.
6. Fill paper-lined muffin tins 2/3 full.
7. Bake 18 to 22 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted in center of a muffin comes out clean. Remove to wire rack; cool.
8. Frost with Pink Grapefruit Buttercream Frosting, if desired.
9. For Pink Grapefruit Buttercream Frosting: In a mixing bowl, cream butter until light and fluffy. Add grapefruit juice and honey; mix well. Add powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, until desired spreading consistency. For a darker pink color, add food coloring, if desired.

Makes 12 to 14 cupcakes.

*Any mild-flavored honey such as clover may be used

Recipe and photograph courtesy of the National Honey Board.