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This London Fog cake transforms the beloved Earl Grey tea latte into a heavenly dessert experience. The combination of aromatic Earl Grey tea and floral lavender creates an incredibly soft, moist cake that's soaked with a sweet Earl Grey lavender milk mixture and topped with silky lavender vanilla bean cream cheese frosting. It's like a sophisticated tea party in cake form.
I first made this when hosting a tea party for my mother's birthday, and it's become our special occasion tradition. The moment guests take their first bite, their eyes close in appreciation, and the questions about the recipe begin.
Ingredients
- Earl Grey tea: Gives the distinct bergamot citrus flavor that makes this cake special. Look for a high quality loose leaf for best results
- Culinary lavender: Adds a delicate floral note. Be sure to use food grade lavender rather than decorative varieties which may be treated
- All purpose flour: Provides the perfect structure. Spooning and leveling prevents a dense cake
- Baking powder and soda: Work together to give the perfect rise while maintaining tenderness
- Unsalted butter: Creates richness. Room temperature is crucial for proper creaming
- Granulated sugar: Not only sweetens but helps create the tender crumb through proper creaming
- Eggs: Bind everything together and add richness. Room temperature eggs incorporate much better
- Vanilla bean paste: Offers authentic vanilla flavor with beautiful specks throughout the cake
- Buttermilk: Creates tenderness and helps activate the leaveners for a perfect rise
For the Earl Grey Milk Soak
- Whole milk: Infuses best with the tea flavors. The fat content enhances the mouthfeel
- Earl Grey tea: Creates a concentrated flavor in the soak that intensifies the cake experience
- Sweetened condensed milk: Adds necessary sweetness and creates that distinctive tres leches like texture
- Vanilla bean paste: Rounds out the flavor profile beautifully with genuine vanilla notes
For the Lavender Cream Cheese Frosting
- Culinary lavender: Provides the signature floral note that makes this frosting special
- Unsalted butter: Gives structure to the frosting. Room temperature ensures smooth incorporation
- Cream cheese: Adds tanginess that balances the sweetness. Cold cream cheese prevents a runny frosting
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens while helping achieve the perfect spreadable consistency
- Vanilla bean paste: Enhances the lavender flavor with its complex sweet notes
Step by Step Instructions
- Prepare the Cake Pan:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and prepare your baking pan with grease and parchment paper. The parchment ensures easy removal later which is crucial when working with a soaked cake.
- Prepare the Tea and Lavender:
- Process the Earl Grey tea leaves and lavender until they become a fine powder. Sifting removes any larger pieces that would create unpleasant texture in the final cake. This step is worth the extra few minutes for a perfectly smooth cake experience.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients:
- Whisk together the flour, ground tea mixture, and leavening agents. This even distribution ensures consistent flavor throughout the cake and prevents pockets of baking powder or soda.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar:
- Beat the butter and sugar for a full two minutes. This step incorporates air which is essential for a light texture. The mixture should become noticeably lighter in both color and texture.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla:
- Mix in the room temperature eggs and vanilla paste until the mixture is pale and smooth. The room temperature eggs prevent the butter from seizing which would result in a lumpy batter.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
- Alternately add buttermilk and dry ingredients while mixing on low speed. This gradual incorporation prevents overmixing which would develop too much gluten and create a tough cake.
- Bake the Cake:
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Depending on your oven, this typically takes between 38 and 44 minutes.
- Cool the Cake:
- Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 30 minutes before removing. This initial cooling period helps the cake structure set properly without breaking when removed.
- Prepare the Earl Grey Milk Soak:
- Heat milk until steaming and steep the tea and lavender in it. Strain the mixture and combine with sweetened condensed milk and vanilla. This infusion process extracts maximum flavor from the tea and lavender.
- Make the Lavender Cream Cheese Frosting:
- Process the lavender until finely ground and mix with softened butter until fluffy. Add cold cream cheese and continue mixing before incorporating the powdered sugar and vanilla. The contrasting temperatures of butter and cream cheese create the perfect texture.
- Assemble the Cake:
- Trim the top crust slightly and poke holes throughout the cake surface. Pour the Earl Grey milk mixture slowly over the cake, allowing it to absorb fully. Top with a generous layer of lavender cream cheese frosting.
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I discovered the magic of using culinary lavender in baking when I visited a lavender farm in the Pacific Northwest. The farmer explained that the lavender variety makes all the difference in cooking. That day changed my baking forever, and this cake showcases that beautiful ingredient in a way that makes people swoon.
Storage Tips
This cake needs refrigeration due to the cream cheese frosting and milk soak. Store it covered in the refrigerator for up to four days. The flavors actually deepen and improve after the first day, making it an excellent make ahead dessert. Let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving for the best texture and flavor experience.
Flavor Variations
While the Earl Grey and lavender combination is classic, you can experiment with different tea varieties. Try a chai tea version with warming spices for fall, or a jasmine green tea version with orange blossom water instead of lavender for spring. The milk soak technique works beautifully with many flavor combinations. Just maintain the same measurements to ensure proper texture.
Serving Suggestions
This London Fog cake pairs beautifully with a cup of Earl Grey tea or even a glass of champagne for special occasions. For an extra special presentation, garnish with fresh edible flowers, a light dusting of powdered sugar, or candied lavender buds. Serve slightly cool rather than cold for the fullest flavor experience.
The History Behind London Fog
The London Fog drink that inspired this cake originated in Vancouver, Canada, not London as many assume. A pregnant customer asked for a caffeine reduced alternative to regular tea lattes, and the barista created this Earl Grey tea version with vanilla and steamed milk. The name comes from the foggy appearance when the steamed milk meets the tea. This cake honors that beloved drink in dessert form.
Frequently Asked Questions About Recipes
- → What is a London Fog cake?
A London Fog cake is inspired by the classic Earl Grey tea latte known as London Fog. It combines the flavors of Earl Grey tea and lavender for a fragrant and moist cake, often complemented by cream cheese frosting.
- → Can I use loose-leaf Earl Grey tea in this cake?
Yes, loose-leaf Earl Grey tea works perfectly. Simply grind it finely with the lavender for better flavor integration.
- → How is the Earl Grey milk soak made?
The Earl Grey milk soak involves steeping Earl Grey tea and lavender in warm milk, then mixing it with sweetened condensed milk and vanilla. This mixture is poured over the cooled cake for added moisture and flavor.
- → Do I have to use culinary lavender?
Culinary lavender is essential as it is safe for consumption. Regular lavender may have bitter or soapy notes, which can affect the flavor negatively.
- → Can I skip the lavender cream cheese frosting?
While the lavender frosting enhances the cake's floral notes, you can substitute it with plain cream cheese frosting or any preferred topping if desired.
- → What is the cake's texture like?
The cake is moist and soft due to the Earl Grey milk soak, similar to a tres leches cake but less wet. It holds its shape well while being tender and flavorful.