There’s a quaint little café tucked away in the heart of the French countryside that I stumbled upon during my travels. The air was perfumed with the delicate scent of lavender, and the walls were adorned with whimsical artwork. As I sipped my lavender-infused tea, I spotted a box of bonbons glistening in the sunlight. Each piece looked like a little jewel, and when I tasted one, it was as if I had captured a moment of bliss in my mouth. Inspired by this delightful experience, I decided to create my own version of those bonbons, blending the floral notes of lavender with the sweetness of honey, resulting in a treat that is both elegant and delicious.
Ingredients
1 cup dark chocolate chips
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons dried culinary lavender
1/4 cup honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
A pinch of sea salt
Edible gold dust (optional, for decoration)
Instructions
Begin by infusing the cream with lavender. In a small saucepan, heat the heavy cream over medium heat until it just begins to simmer. Remove from heat and stir in the dried lavender. Let it steep for about 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
Once infused, strain the cream through a fine mesh sieve to remove the lavender buds, pressing gently to extract all the liquid. Return the cream to the saucepan and reheat it gently. Add the honey, vanilla extract, and a pinch of sea salt, stirring until everything is well combined.
In a heatproof bowl, place the dark chocolate chips. Pour the warm lavender-honey cream mixture over the chocolate and let it sit for a minute. This will allow the chocolate to soften. Stir gently until the mixture is smooth and glossy, creating a luscious ganache.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the ganache for about 2 hours, or until it is firm enough to scoop. Once set, use a small melon baller or your hands to form the ganache into small balls, about the size of a walnut.
Next, melt the remaining dark chocolate in a microwave or over a double boiler until smooth. Dip each ganache ball into the melted chocolate, ensuring it is fully coated. Use a fork to lift it out, allowing any excess chocolate to drip off. Place the coated bonbons on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
If you wish to add a touch of glamour, lightly dust the tops with edible gold dust while the chocolate is still wet.
Let the bonbons set at room temperature or place them in the refrigerator for a quicker firming process. Once set, these exquisite lavender honey bonbons are ready to be enjoyed or gifted to someone special.
Each bite of these bonbons transports you to that charming café, where the simple pleasures of life are celebrated with every delightful morsel. Perfect for special occasions or a sweet treat on a quiet afternoon, they are sure to impress anyone who takes a bite!