Galaxy-Glazed Lavender & Earl Grey Donuts

Elevate your brunch game with these Galaxy-Glazed Lavender & Earl Grey Donuts. Combining the sophisticated, citrusy notes of bergamot with the calming floral aroma of culinary lavender, these baked treats are as delicious as they are “Instagrammable.” The mesmerizing galaxy glaze uses a simple marbling technique to create a nebula effect that looks professional but is surprisingly easy to achieve at home.

Ingredients

For the Earl Grey & Lavender Donuts:

• 2 cups All-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup Granulated sugar
• 2 tsp Baking powder
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 1 tbsp Culinary-grade dried lavender (finely ground)
• 2 Earl Grey tea bags (contents finely ground or steeped in the milk)
• 3/4 cup Whole milk (warmed)
• 2 Large eggs (room temperature)
• 2 tbsp Unsalted butter (melted)
• 1 tsp Vanilla extract

For the Galaxy Glaze:

• 2 cups Powdered sugar (sifted)
• 3-4 tbsp Whole milk
• Gel food coloring (Navy Blue, Royal Purple, and Pink/Magenta)
• Edible silver stars or white pearl dust (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Infuse the Flavors

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a donut pan. In a small bowl, whisk the ground lavender into the sugar to release the oils. Steep the Earl Grey tea in the warm milk for 5 minutes, then squeeze the bags and discard (or use the finely ground tea leaves directly in the flour for a stronger aesthetic).

2. Mix the Batter

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, lavender-sugar, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, melted butter, vanilla, and the infused milk. Gradually fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until just combined. Do not overmix, or the donuts will be tough.

3. Bake

Pipe or spoon the batter into the donut pan, filling each cavity about 3/4 full. Bake for 10–12 minutes until the tops spring back when touched. Let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. They must be completely cool before glazing.

4. Create the Galaxy Effect

Whisk the powdered sugar and milk until you have a thick, but pourable, white base. Pour the glaze into a wide, shallow bowl. Drop 2-3 dots of each gel color onto the surface. Use a toothpick to lightly swirl the colors into a marble pattern—do not over-swirl, or it will turn grey.

5. Dip and Decorate

Dip the top of a donut straight down into the marbled glaze, give it a slight twist, and lift. Set it on a rack and immediately sprinkle with edible stars or pearl dust while the glaze is wet. Repeat for the remaining donuts, adding a few more drops of color to the bowl as needed.

The Fact-Check

• Is lavender safe to eat? Yes, but only use “Culinary Lavender” (usually Lavandula angustifolia). Ornamental lavender from craft stores may contain pesticides or high camphor levels that taste like soap.
• Why Earl Grey? The bergamot oil in Earl Grey is a citrus relative that cuts through the sweetness of the sugar and complements the floral lavender.
• Baked vs. Fried: These are cake-style donuts. Baking them provides a smoother surface for the galaxy glaze to adhere to compared to the irregular surface of fried yeast donuts.