Description

This London Fog Cake is a delicate and aromatic dessert inspired by the classic Earl Grey tea latte, enhanced with culinary lavender for a floral twist. The moist cake layers infused with Earl Grey tea and lavender are soaked with a fragrant tea milk soak and topped with a luscious lavender cream cheese frosting. Perfect for tea lovers and special occasions, this cake combines floral, citrusy, and creamy flavors in a beautifully elegant treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Tea and Lavender Mixture

3 tbsp (12 g) loose leaf Earl Grey tea
1 tbsp (2 g) culinary lavender

Cake

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 large eggs (room temperature)
1 tbsp vanilla bean paste
1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk
1/2 cup (120 ml) whole milk

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
1/2 cup (120 ml) whole milk (from cake ingredients)

Lavender Cream Cheese Frosting

1 tbsp (2 g) culinary lavender (ground)
1 cup (224 g) unsalted butter, softened
8 oz (226 g) cold cream cheese
2 cups (260 g) powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla bean paste
Optional: Purple food coloring as desired

Instructions

Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9 inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the cake after baking.
Grind Tea and Lavender: Place the 3 tbsp Earl Grey tea and 1 tbsp lavender into a food processor and pulse until finely ground. Sift the mixture through a mesh sieve to discard any large pieces, ensuring a smooth incorporation into the batter.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, ground tea and lavender mixture, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined.
Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar on high speed for about two minutes until the mixture becomes pale and fluffy, which will create a light texture in the cake.
Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, fully incorporating each before adding the next, followed by the vanilla bean paste. Continue beating until the batter is smooth and well combined.
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Reduce the mixer speed to low. Alternately add the buttermilk and the dry ingredient mixture to the creamed butter mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix just until combined to avoid overmixing.
Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing out the top. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan for 20 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Prepare the Milk Soak: Heat the 1/2 cup whole milk until steaming but not boiling. Add 2 tbsp Earl Grey tea and 1/2 tbsp culinary lavender, steeping the mixture for 15 minutes to infuse. Strain the tea and lavender, then stir in the sweetened condensed milk and 1/2 tsp vanilla bean paste until well blended.
Make the Lavender Frosting: Beat 1 cup softened butter on high speed for about five minutes until light and fluffy. Add the cold cream cheese and continue beating until combined. Add the sifted 1 tbsp ground culinary lavender, powdered sugar, and 1 tsp vanilla bean paste. Beat until the frosting is smooth, creamy, and fluffy. Add purple food coloring if using, and mix until evenly colored.
Assemble the Cake: Once the cake is fully cooled, trim a thin layer off the top using a serrated knife to level it. Poke holes evenly across the surface of the cake with a skewer or fork. Slowly pour the prepared milk soak over the cake, allowing it to absorb the flavorful liquid. Finally, spread the lavender cream cheese frosting over the soaked cake evenly. Serve and enjoy your aromatic London Fog Cake!

Notes

Use culinary grade lavender to ensure the flavor is safe and pleasant in baking.
If you prefer a stronger lavender flavor, increase the culinary lavender slightly in the frosting but avoid overpowering the delicate Earl Grey notes.
The cake can be made a day ahead; refrigerate after frosting and bring to room temperature before serving for best texture.
To enhance purple color naturally, you can use a small amount of ube or butterfly pea flower powder instead of artificial food coloring.
Make sure not to over-steep the tea to prevent bitterness in the soak mixture.

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: British-inspired

Keywords: London Fog Cake, Earl Grey Cake, Lavender Cake, Tea Cake, Cream Cheese Frosting, Floral Dessert, British Dessert, Tea Party Cake