1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (163 degrees C). Place 12-14, 4 oz. mason jars in a baking pan and set aside. Set a pot of water on the stove to heat.
2. In a large saucepan over medium heat, lightly whisk cream, lavender, and vanilla bean pod and seeds together until lavender and vanilla are distributed. Heat the cream, stirring frequently, to the scalding point (about 185 degrees F (85 degrees C)). Turn off heat and allow lavender to steep for 3-5 minutes.
3. In a large bowl, whisk yolks and sugar together until combined. Strain the cream to remove all the lavender bits and vanilla bean pod. Whisking constantly, slowly pour the hot cream into the egg-sugar mixture. Divide custard mixture evenly among jars, filling to just above the bottom lip of the jar. Skim off bubbles or foam, if any, from the tops with a spoon. (Failure to skim will give the top of the custard an unpleasant spongy texture.)
4. Pull the middle rack of the oven out slightly and place the baking pan on it. Slowly pour the water that’s been heating on the stove into the pan until slightly more than halfway up the sides of the jars. Bake for 40 minutes or until set but shivering and slightly jiggly in the center. Remove baking pan from oven and let cool for 20 minutes or until jars are cool enough to be handled. Remove the jars from the water bath and place in the refrigerator (I usually cover them loosely with a clean, thin kitchen towel).
5. Once the bottoms and sides of the custards are cool to the touch, use a tablespoon to spoon cooled glaze (recipe follows) overtop. Pick the jar up and swirl around to coat the glaze over the entire top of the custard. Secure jars with lids and refrigerate for at least 4 hours and preferably overnight.

Blackberry Gin Glaze

1. In a medium saucepan, whisk preserves, sugar, and gin together until combined. Heat over medium-low heat until reduced and thickened. The glaze has reduced enough when it holds a 1/4-inch long string between two fingers. Transfer to heatproof bowl and let cool at room temperature before spooning onto custard.
2. To use glaze out of the refrigerator, simply heat it just slightly until it loosens.