You can mend broken hearts and enchant any would-be love interest with lemon balm. This recipe takes the cake, either one of your own making or store-bought sponge cake. Try a lemon balm version of the above Sweetheart Shortbread and glaze it with the icing; it will be certain to turn anyone who tastes this into your devotee.

  • 6 lemon balm leaves
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 8 ounces confectioners’ sugar
  • 4 drops vanilla extract
  • 1 lemon
  • 1 candied lemon (using above recipe)

 

Combine water, vanilla, and lemon balm and soak overnight. Strain out the herbs and add sugar into the liquid. Grate in the zest of the lemon and whisk, squeezing in lemon juice if needed for fluid consistency. Pour this icing over the cake and top with sprinkles of candied lemon and lemon balm. This distinctive dessert is a spell spun of sugar.