World's BEST Caramel Sauce (with a Peggy-twist)

Since we moved to an apple farm/orchard with over 50 trees full of delicious vintage apples I have been looking high and low for a good caramel dipping sauce recipe.  Well, the search is over.  Here it is.  If it is not THE best caramel sauce you've ever had, then... something is wrong with your taste buds. 

*just kidding - kindof* ;)

C a r a m e l   S a u c e 

(with a little peggy twist) 

1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

1/2 cup butter

1/4 cup whipping cream

1/4 cup honey

1 teaspoon culinary lavender (peggy-twist)

PEGGY-TWIST (YUM!): Steep lavender in whipping cream. 

How to steep lavender: 

in a medium saucepan bring whipping cream and lavender to a slow boil over medium-high heat; stirring constantly.  Remove from stove and separate lavender from the whipping cream, with a fine strainer, picture below. (it's ok if a couple of lavender buds slip through).

NOW GO ON WITH THE ORIGINAL RECIPE...

ORIGINAL RECIPE: Bring the above ingredients to boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring constantly; boil, stirring constantly, 2 minutes.

Remove from heat and cool for 15 minutes before serving.

Store in airtight container in refrigerator up to 1 week.  To reheat, microwave at HIGH 10 to 15 seconds or just until warm; stir until smooth.

Makes about 1 1/2 cups.

pic1: the cream and lavender (after steeping), pic2: adding butter and brown sugar 

pic3: as all the ingredients are melting

Above picture: lavender being separated from cream after being steeped

(basically, this is how the cream takes on the lavender flavor)

*Recipe courtesy of Southern Living