As a child, my mom always made sure that for our weekend pancake/ French toast/ waffle brunch we would have all of the necessary toppings: butter, maple syrup, fresh berries, lemon, and cinnamon sugar. And while I knew that any morning that started out so indulgently would lead to an amazing day, my favorite part of the meal was always her cinnamon sugar. I loved it so much that as a teenager, if we’d run out of it mid-breakfast, I’d jump out of my seat to whip up some more. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve added vanilla bean sugar and cardamom sugar to my list of brunch necessities. I love that it takes just five minutes to whip up something that lasts a couple of months and makes my brunch feel that much more fancy and indulgent. Enjoy! x

Tools: Mini Spoons {two of our mini spoons were a gift from a friend’s trip to Japan, but the third one is from Crate & Barrel.}

1/2 Stick Vanilla Bean, 1/2 Stick Cinnamon, or 8 Pods Cardamom, or to taste

2 Ounces Powdered Sugar

1. Blend the vanilla, cinnamon, or cardamom on high with your powdered sugar.

2. Using a piece of parchment paper, funnel the sugar into the jar and label them jar with the correct sugar name.

3. Sprinkle over dessert or brunch dish of choice.

4. Enjoy!

This time of year always makes me want to curl up with a good book and a cup of tea thanks to the crisp air, chilly weather {in the mornings and nights}, and bright, sunshiny afternoons that ensure all our flowers are in bloom. Well, years ago I went to the Kona coast for my birthday and fell in love with Tazo’s earl grey tea {which was offered in our hotel room everyday} thanks to it’s lavender bergamot essence. While the tea was wonderful {and one I still drink religiously}, I immediately began dreaming of the desserts I could make with it, such as biscotti and cake. Since I’ve been baking a lot recently, I decided to combine my love of earl grey tea with my love for lavender and for cake. The result is a sweet cake with a hint of earl grey, slathered in a decadent lavender frosting. The lavender and earl grey create a distinct and unique flavor that pairs perfectly with tea or coffee as an afternoon indulgence or after dinner treat, and since the cake itself is made with tea, it made for the perfect opportunity to sip on some earl grey while baking the cake itself. I love how the final product has a sweet, floral infused flavor thanks to the lavender and earl grey cake + the sweet lavender frosting. And when topped with sugared lavender blossoms + white nonpareils, it feels like the perfect indulgence on a cool evening and the epitome of spring and summertime in a dessert.