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London Fog Cake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 117 reviews

This elegant London Fog Cake combines the fragrant flavors of Earl Grey tea and culinary lavender in a moist and tender cake, soaked with a luscious Earl Grey milk mixture and topped with a fluffy lavender cream cheese frosting. Perfect for tea time or special occasions, this cake offers a unique floral and citrus twist inspired by the classic London Fog beverage.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Earl Grey Cake

  • 3 tbsp (12 g) Earl Grey tea
  • 1 tbsp (2 g) culinary lavender
  • 2 1/4 cups (282 g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 10 tbsp (140 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups (300 g) granulated white sugar
  • 3 eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 tbsp vanilla bean paste
  • 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) whole milk

For the Earl Grey Milk Soak

  • 2 tbsp (8 g) Earl Grey tea
  • 1/2 tbsp (1 g) culinary lavender
  • 1/2 cup (150 g) sweetened condensed milk
  • 1/2 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

  1. Preheat and prepare pan: 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.
  2. Grind tea and lavender: Add the Earl Grey tea and culinary lavender to a food processor and pulse until finely ground. Sift through a sieve to remove any large bits for a smooth texture.
  3. Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, ground Earl Grey tea, lavender, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set this mixture aside.
  4. Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer on high speed for 2 minutes until light and fluffy.
  5. Add eggs and vanilla: Add the eggs and vanilla bean paste to the butter mixture. Mix on medium speed for about 1 minute until pale and smooth.
  6. Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the buttermilk and the dry flour mixture alternately to the creamed butter mixture, mixing on low speed until fully combined and smooth. Scrape the bowl sides as needed.
  7. Bake the cake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 38-44 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  8. Cool the cake: Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for 30 minutes, then lift it out using the parchment paper and allow it to cool completely on the rack.
  9. Prepare the Earl Grey milk soak: Heat the milk in a small saucepan over low heat until steaming. Add Earl Grey tea and lavender; steep for 15 minutes covered off heat. Strain, cool, then stir in sweetened condensed milk and vanilla bean paste. Set aside.
  10. Make the lavender frosting: Grind the lavender finely in a food processor and sieve. Beat the softened butter on high speed until pale and fluffy (about 5 minutes). Add cream cheese and mix for another minute until fluffy.
  11. Add sugar and flavorings to frosting: Sift in powdered sugar, add ground lavender and vanilla bean paste. Mix on low until combined, then high for 1 minute until fluffy. Add purple food coloring if desired and mix gently.
  12. Assemble the cake: When completely cool, trim a thin layer off the top of the cake for better absorption. Transfer to a serving plate and poke holes in the top with a wooden stick.
  13. Soak the cake: Slowly pour the Earl Grey milk soak over the cake, allowing it to absorb into the holes and cake layers patiently.
  14. Frost and serve: Spread a thick, even layer of lavender cream cheese frosting on top with an offset spatula. Cut into 16 equal slices and serve.

Notes

  • Room temperature eggs ensure better incorporation into the batter for a consistent texture.
  • Steeping the Earl Grey tea and lavender gently prevents bitterness and extracts delicate floral notes.
  • Using parchment paper makes removing the cake from the pan easier and keeps the edges clean.
  • The thin top layer removal helps the milk soak penetrate more deeply and evenly into the cake.
  • Optional purple food coloring enhances the frosting color but can be omitted for a natural look.
  • For best flavor, use high-quality Earl Grey tea and culinary lavender from a reputable source.

Keywords: London Fog Cake, Earl Grey cake, lavender cake, tea cake, cream cheese frosting, floral cake, tea party dessert

Find it online: https://ricoloranz.com/london-fog-cake-recipe/