If you adore delicate tea flavors and floral notes wrapped in a soft, moist cake, you are in for a treat with this London Fog Cake Recipe. Combining the fragrant essence of Earl Grey tea and culinary lavender in a tender cake soaked with an Earl Grey-infused milk mixture, and topped with irresistibly creamy lavender cream cheese frosting, this dessert is a graceful nod to the beloved London Fog latte. Whether you're looking for a show-stopping centerpiece for your afternoon tea or a sophisticated sweet to surprise friends, this London Fog Cake Recipe brings elegance and warmth to every bite.
Ingredients You'll Need
This recipe calls for simple yet thoughtfully chosen ingredients that work together beautifully to create the unique flavor, texture, and stunning look of your London Fog Cake. Each element plays a vital role, from the fragrant Earl Grey tea that flavors the cake and soak, to the creamy frosting that ties everything together with a touch of lavender.
- Earl Grey tea: Adds the signature bergamot citrus flavor essential to the London Fog profile, used both in the cake and soak.
- Culinary lavender: Provides a gentle floral aroma that enhances the cake without overpowering it, perfect for baking.
- All-purpose flour: Forms the base of the cake's soft structure when properly measured and leveled.
- Baking powder and baking soda: Leavening agents that help the cake rise and become light and fluffy.
- Salt: Balances flavors and enhances the overall taste of the cake.
- Unsalted butter: Adds richness and moisture with a creamy texture.
- Granulated white sugar: Sweetens the cake while assisting with texture and crumb.
- Eggs: Bind ingredients and contribute to the cake’s tender crumb and rise.
- Vanilla bean paste: Deepens flavor with a natural vanilla warmth.
- Buttermilk and whole milk: Provide moisture and tenderness; buttermilk adds a slight tang that complements the tea.
- Sweetened condensed milk: Used in the soak for extra richness and subtle sweetness.
- Cream cheese: Gives the frosting luscious creaminess and slight tang.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting for perfect spreadability.
- Purple food coloring (optional): Adds a lovely pastel hue to the frosting, echoing the lavender notes visually.
How to Make London Fog Cake Recipe
Step 1: Prepare and Bake the Earl Grey Cake
Start by preheating the oven to 350°F (175°C) and preparing your baking pan to ensure your cake won't stick. Grinding the Earl Grey tea leaves and culinary lavender finely intensifies their flavors and helps distribute them evenly throughout the batter. Combining your dry ingredients carefully ensures the chemical reactions with your leavening agents happen flawlessly. Creaming butter with sugar adds air into the batter, making it light, and mixing in eggs and vanilla develops a smooth, pale base. Alternate adding the buttermilk and dry mix gently to keep the batter tender. Pour into your pan and bake until a toothpick feels clean—this is the perfect moment when the cake is fragrant, golden, and ready to cool.
Step 2: Make the Earl Grey Milk Soak
While your cake cools, create this magical soak to infuse even more Earl Grey goodness into each bite. Heating milk slightly before steeping the tea and lavender lets their flavors bloom beautifully. Straining the mixture removes any bits for a smooth soak and mixing in sweetened condensed milk and vanilla brings sweetness and depth. This soak will gently soak into the cake, giving it that signature moist and tender crumb you will love.
Step 3: Prepare Lavender Cream Cheese Frosting
Grinding the lavender finely ensures there are no unpleasant textures in your frosting while still letting the floral notes shine. Whipping butter and cream cheese until fluffy creates a luxuriously smooth base, and slowly incorporating powdered sugar sweetens it evenly without clumps. Adding vanilla bean paste and lavender balances the flavor perfectly, and a touch of purple food coloring lets your frosting look as charming as it tastes. This frosting is the elegant finishing touch that transforms the cake into something truly special.
Step 4: Assemble the Cake
Once your cake is completely cooled, trimming a thin top layer helps the milk soak absorb better, ensuring every bite bursts with flavor and moisture. Poking small holes allows the Earl Grey milk soak to infuse deeper into the cake layers for maximum taste. After patiently pouring the soak evenly, frost the top thickly with your lavender cream cheese frosting. This final step creates the irresistible creamy contrast to the lightly floral cake beneath. Slice into 16 pieces, serve, and bask in the compliments!
How to Serve London Fog Cake Recipe
Garnishes
A beautiful way to elevate your cake presentation is by decorating with a few culinary lavender sprigs or dusting a tiny bit of finely ground Earl Grey tea powder on top for a rustic, elegant touch. You can also scatter a handful of edible flowers to brighten the visual appeal and reinforce the floral theme. These simple garnishes can make your cake look like it belongs in a boutique bakery display.
Side Dishes
This London Fog Cake Recipe pairs wonderfully with a classic cup of Earl Grey tea or a creamy latte to echo its flavors. Fresh berries or a light fruit compote on the side can add a juicy, tangy contrast that complements the cake’s richness and floral aroma. For a more indulgent occasion, try serving alongside a dollop of lightly whipped cream or a small scoop of vanilla bean ice cream.
Creative Ways to Present
Consider serving the cake on a vintage tiered cake stand to add a touch of charm to your tea party. You can create individual mini servings by cutting the cake into bite-sized squares and placing them in pretty cupcake liners. For a whimsical twist, drizzle a little lavender-infused glaze or honey over the frosting before serving. Presentation can be just as delightful as the flavors in this harmonious dessert.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Cover your baked and frosted London Fog Cake tightly with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container to keep it moist and fresh at room temperature for up to two days. If your kitchen is warm, refrigerate it to preserve the frosting texture and flavor, but allow the cake to come to room temperature before serving to enjoy the best taste and texture.
Freezing
You can freeze this cake, either frosted or unfrosted, to save time later. Wrap individual slices well in plastic wrap and aluminum foil or use airtight freezer containers. The cake will keep well in the freezer for up to three months. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge for best results.
Reheating
To warm up leftover cake slices, bring them to room temperature first, then gently warm for 10 to 15 seconds in the microwave. Avoid overheating, which might affect the texture of both cake and frosting. Eating the cake slightly chilled or at room temperature is ideal to enjoy those delicate flavors perfectly.
FAQs
Can I use regular black tea instead of Earl Grey for this London Fog Cake Recipe?
While regular black tea can work, Earl Grey’s unique bergamot flavor is what truly defines the character of this cake. Using it will give you that authentic London Fog taste you won’t want to miss.
Is culinary lavender safe to eat and easy to find?
Yes, culinary lavender is specially grown for cooking, has a mild flavor, and can be found at specialty grocery stores or online. Avoid using garden lavender not intended for culinary use as it can be bitter or treated with pesticides.
Can I make this cake gluten-free?
Substituting all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend is possible, but results may vary. For best outcomes, choose a blend that includes xanthan gum and be mindful the texture might be slightly different but still delicious.
Why is the cake soaked with Earl Grey milk?
The soak adds moisture and infuses extra layers of Earl Grey flavor that keep the cake tender and aromatic. It’s a signature step that elevates this cake beyond a standard tea-flavored dessert.
How do I store leftover lavender cream cheese frosting?
Leftover frosting can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. Before using, let it come to room temperature and re-whip briefly to restore its fluffy texture.
Final Thoughts
I truly believe that trying this London Fog Cake Recipe will be one of the most delightful baking adventures you’ve had recently. Its unique combination of tea and floral flavors with creamy frosting makes it a memorable dessert that’s as comforting as it is elegant. So go ahead, gather your ingredients and give it a whirl — I promise you’ll love sharing this charming cake with family and friends as much as I do.
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London Fog Cake Recipe
London Fog Cake is a beautifully scented dessert inspired by the famous tea latte. Infused with Earl Grey tea and culinary lavender, this moist cake is soaked in a fragrant milk mixture and topped with a luscious lavender cream cheese frosting. It's a delightful treat that combines the comforting flavors of tea with a creamy, floral finish, perfect for afternoon tea or special occasions.
- Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings
Ingredients
For the Earl Grey Cake
- 3 tbsp (12 g) Earl Grey tea
- 1 tbsp (2 g) culinary lavender
- 2 ¼ cups (282 g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 10 tbsp (140 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups (300 g) granulated white sugar
- 3 eggs, at room temperature
- 1 tbsp vanilla bean paste
- 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk
- ½ cup (120 ml) whole milk
For the Earl Grey Milk Soak
- 2 tbsp (8 g) Earl Grey tea
- ½ tbsp (1 g) culinary lavender
- ½ cup (150 g) sweetened condensed milk
- ½ tsp vanilla bean paste
For the Lavender Cream Cheese Frosting
- 1 tbsp (2 g) culinary lavender
- 1 cup (224 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, cold
- 2 cups (260 g) powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla bean paste
- Purple food coloring (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Earl Grey Cake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9 inch light metal baking pan and line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Grind Tea and Lavender: Place the Earl Grey tea and culinary lavender in a food processor and pulse until finely ground. Sift through a sieve to remove any larger pieces to ensure a smooth texture in the cake batter.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, ground Earl Grey tea, lavender, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside this flour mixture.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar on high speed using an electric mixer for about 2 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Mix in the eggs one at a time, then add the vanilla bean paste, mixing on medium speed until the batter is pale and smooth, roughly 1 minute.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the buttermilk and the flour mixture alternately to the batter on low speed. Mix until just combined and smooth. Use a rubber spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 38 to 44 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool the Cake: Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for 30 minutes. Then, lift the cake out using the parchment paper and allow it to cool completely on the rack.
- Prepare the Earl Grey Milk Soak: While the cake cools, heat the whole milk in a small saucepan over low heat until steaming. Add Earl Grey tea and culinary lavender, steep for 15 minutes, then strain through a sieve. Allow the milk to cool.
- Mix Soak Ingredients: Pour the cooled Earl Grey milk into a container and stir in the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla bean paste. Set aside.
- Make Lavender Cream Cheese Frosting: Pulse the culinary lavender in a food processor until finely ground and sift to remove large pieces. Beat the unsalted butter on high speed until pale and fluffy, about 5 minutes.
- Add Cream Cheese: Mix in the cold cream cheese on high speed until the mixture is fluffy, around 1 minute.
- Incorporate Sugar and Flavor: Sift in powdered sugar, add the ground lavender and vanilla bean paste. Beat on low speed to combine, then on high for 1 minute until fluffy. Optionally add purple food coloring and mix until uniform.
- Assemble the Cake: Once cooled, trim a thin layer off the top to allow better absorption. Transfer the cake to a serving plate and poke holes evenly all over the surface with a wooden stick or spoon handle.
- Apply the Soak: Slowly pour the Earl Grey milk soak over the cake, letting it absorb fully into the holes. Be patient for the liquid to seep in thoroughly.
- Frost the Cake: Spread a thick layer of lavender cream cheese frosting on top of the soaked cake using an offset spatula.
- Serve: Cut the cake into 16 slices and enjoy this fragrant, delicate London Fog Cake.
Notes
- Make sure the eggs are at room temperature to ensure proper mixing and texture.
- Be gentle when mixing wet and dry ingredients to avoid overworking the batter, which can make the cake dense.
- If you don’t have culinary lavender, ensure any substitute is food-grade and mild to avoid bitterness.
- Adjust the steeping time of the tea in the milk soak to your preferred strength but do not over-steep as it may turn bitter.
- The purple food coloring in the frosting is optional and purely for aesthetic purposes.
- Use an offset spatula for easier and smoother frosting application.
- This cake keeps well refrigerated for 2-3 days and can be stored covered to maintain moisture.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 44 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British inspired
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