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Beautifully decorated lilac Bundt cakes ready to serve at a special celebration

Lilac Bundt Cakes

These delicate floral Bundt cakes are perfect for spring brunches, featuring a soft lemon-sweet cake with a floral lilac aroma and a versatile lilac-infused syrup glaze.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 12 pieces
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American, Spring
Calories: 200

Ingredients
  

For the cake
  • 1 cup sugar Granulated sugar used for infusing with lilac.
  • ½ cup fresh lilac blossoms Pick only fully open flowers.
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour Spoon and level when measuring.
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp baking soda
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ½ cup milk Soured with lemon juice.
  • 1 tsp lemon juice Adds flavor.
  • 1 stick butter (softened) Use unsalted.
For the lilac syrup and glaze
  • ½ cup water For making syrup.
  • ½ cup sugar For syrup.
  • ½ cup fresh lilac blossoms For syrup.
  • 1 ½ cups icing sugar Plus more as needed for glaze.
  • 2 tbsp reserved lilac simple syrup From the syrup preparation.
  • 1 tbsp milk For glaze.
  • few drops violet food coloring Optional for tinting glaze.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  2. Pick the lilac blossoms from the stem and discard the leaves and stems. Combine the sugar and lilac blossoms in a food processor and pulse until the petals are mostly broken down.
Mixing and Baking
  1. In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt and whisk together.
  2. In a small measuring cup, combine milk and lemon juice, whisking together.
  3. In a stand mixer, beat together the softened butter and lilac sugar until creamy. Scrape down the sides as needed.
  4. Add eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next.
  5. Gradually add flour mixture and soured milk alternately, starting with flour and ending with flour. Mix until just combined.
  6. Spray a mini Bundt cake mold with non-stick spray and fill each cavity with batter, ensuring it's level.
  7. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Making Syrup and Glaze
  1. While cakes are baking, combine sugar and water in a saucepan and bring to a simmer to dissolve.
  2. Remove from heat, add lilac blossoms, cover, and steep until cakes are done baking. Strain and set aside syrup.
  3. In a bowl, whisk together reserved syrup, icing sugar, and milk for the glaze, adjusting consistency as needed.
Finishing Touches
  1. When cakes are baked, brush tops with syrup, cool briefly, and unmold onto parchment.
  2. Once cool, brush again with syrup and drizzle with glaze.
  3. Allow the glaze to set before serving.

Notes

Store glazed cakes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Freeze unglazed cakes individually for up to 3 months.