London Fog Cake Recipe

Introduction

London Fog Cake is a delightful blend of Earl Grey tea and lavender flavors, creating a fragrant and moist treat perfect for any tea lover. This elegant cake combines floral notes with creamy frosting to offer a unique twist on classic flavors.

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp Earl Grey tea (leaves)
• 1 tbsp culinary lavender
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 10 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups granulated white sugar
• 3 eggs, at room temperature
• 1 tbsp vanilla bean paste
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 2 tbsp Earl Grey tea (brewed)
• 1/2 tbsp culinary lavender
• 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
• 1/2 tsp vanilla bean paste
• 1 tbsp culinary lavender (for frosting)
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
• 8 oz cream cheese, cold
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla bean paste
• Optional: purple food coloring

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, Earl Grey tea leaves, and culinary lavender to combine evenly.
2. Step 2: In a separate large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add the vanilla bean paste and mix well.
3. Step 3: Gradually add the buttermilk and whole milk to the butter mixture, stirring gently until the batter is smooth. Avoid overmixing to keep the cake tender.
4. Step 4: Pour the batter evenly into prepared cake pans. Bake for about 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool completely.
5. Step 5: Prepare the soaking mixture by combining the brewed Earl Grey tea, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla bean paste, and culinary lavender. Stir well to infuse the flavors.
6. Step 6: Once the cake layers have cooled, poke small holes all over them using a skewer or fork. Generously drizzle the soaking mixture over the layers to add moisture and flavor.
7. Step 7: For the frosting, beat the softened butter and cold cream cheese together until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, then mix in culinary lavender and vanilla bean paste. Add purple food coloring if desired for a beautiful tint.
8. Step 8: Frost the cooled cake layers with the lavender cream cheese frosting as you like. Assemble and decorate to your preference before serving.

Tips & Variations

• Use a fine tea strainer to avoid large tea leaf bits in the cake batter for a smoother texture.
• Replace culinary lavender with dried rose petals for a floral twist.
• Add a splash of lemon zest to the batter to brighten the tea flavors.
• If you don’t have vanilla bean paste, pure vanilla extract works as a substitute.
• For a vegan version, swap butter and cream cheese with plant-based alternatives and use a flax egg in place of real eggs.

Storage

Store the London Fog Cake covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Bring to room temperature before serving for the best texture and flavor. Leftover cake can be frozen without frosting for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator and frost before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use Earl Grey tea bags instead of loose leaves?

Yes, you can use the contents of Earl Grey tea bags, but remove the paper tags and stems before mixing them into the batter to avoid any bitterness or texture issues.

How do I make the lavender flavor less intense?

Reduce the culinary lavender amount in the recipe or soak the lavender in hot milk before adding to the batter to mellow its flavor. Alternatively, use lavender sparingly in the frosting only.

London Fog Cake Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 689 reviews

This London Fog Cake is a fragrant and elegant dessert inspired by the popular Earl Grey tea latte. Infused with Earl Grey tea leaves and culinary lavender, the moist cake layers are soaked with a sweet tea-infused mixture and layered with a creamy lavender cream cheese frosting. Perfect for tea lovers, this cake combines floral and citrus notes with a tender crumb and luscious frosting for a delightful treat.

• Author: Naya
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 8 to 10 servings 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: British
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cake

• 3 tbsp Earl Grey tea leaves
• 1 tbsp culinary lavender
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 10 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups granulated white sugar
• 3 eggs, at room temperature
• 1 tbsp vanilla bean paste
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup whole milk

Soaking Mixture

• 2 tbsp brewed Earl Grey tea
• 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
• 1/2 tsp vanilla bean paste

Frosting

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 8 oz cream cheese, cold
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tbsp culinary lavender
• 1 tsp vanilla bean paste
• Optional: purple food coloring

Instructions

1. Preheat and mix dry ingredients: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). In a bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, Earl Grey tea leaves, and culinary lavender to evenly distribute the dry flavors.
2. Cream butter and sugar, add eggs: In a separate large bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until fluffy and light. Beat in the eggs one at a time along with the vanilla bean paste, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next.
3. Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually mix in the buttermilk and whole milk into the wet mixture until smooth, then gently fold in the dry ingredients without overmixing to maintain a tender crumb.
4. Bake the cake layers: Pour the batter evenly into prepared cake pans. Bake in the preheated oven for about 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.
5. Prepare the soaking mixture: Combine brewed Earl Grey tea, sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla bean paste in a small bowl or measuring cup, stirring until smooth and well blended.
6. Soak the cakes: Once the cake layers have cooled, poke holes across the surface using a skewer or fork. Generously drizzle the soaking mixture over the cakes, allowing the liquid to absorb fully to enhance moisture and flavor.
7. Make the frosting: Beat together the softened unsalted butter and cold cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and continue beating. Stir in culinary lavender and vanilla bean paste. Add purple food coloring if desired for visual appeal.
8. Frost the cake: Frost the soaked and cooled cake layers as desired, evenly spreading the lavender cream cheese frosting between layers and on the exterior for a beautiful finish.

Notes

• Use high-quality Earl Grey tea leaves for the best flavor infusion.
• Allow cake layers to cool completely before soaking to avoid breaking apart.
• For a stronger lavender flavor, gently crush culinary lavender before adding to the frosting.
• Optional purple food coloring adds a lovely aesthetic but can be omitted.
• Store frosted cake in the refrigerator and serve at room temperature for best texture.

Keywords: London Fog Cake, Earl Grey Cake, Lavender Cake, Tea Infused Cake, Cream Cheese Frosting, Elegant Dessert