London Fog Cake – A Soft, Elegant Earl Grey Dessert

Introduction:
When it comes to dessert, few things capture the essence of sophistication quite like a cake inspired by the popular London Fog tea. London Fog Cake is a soft, fragrant treat that brings the flavors of Earl Grey tea and lavender into a beautifully moist cake. Perfect for tea parties, dessert buffets, or simply as an indulgence on a cozy afternoon, this cake combines the gentle floral notes of lavender with the rich, bergamot-infused flavor of Earl Grey tea. If you’re a fan of unique, tea-flavored desserts, this recipe is sure to become a favorite!

Ingredients

For the Cake:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon Earl Grey tea leaves (loose leaf, not bagged)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 tablespoon dried lavender buds (optional)
• 1/2 cup hot water

For the Lavender Buttercream Frosting:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1-2 tablespoons milk
• 1 tablespoon lavender syrup (or simple syrup infused with lavender)
• A pinch of dried lavender buds for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pans:
   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans or line them with parchment paper. This will ensure the cake layers come out cleanly after baking.
2. Infuse the Earl Grey Tea:
   Steep the loose Earl Grey tea leaves in hot water for about 5 minutes. This will help extract the full flavor of the tea. Strain out the tea leaves and let the tea cool down to room temperature. This step infuses the cake with that signature Earl Grey flavor.
3. Mix the Dry Ingredients:
   In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add the dried lavender buds if using. Set the dry ingredients aside.
4. Cream the Butter and Sugar:
   In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together using a hand mixer or stand mixer on medium speed. Mix for 3-4 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy.
5. Add the Eggs and Vanilla:
   Add the eggs, one at a time, to the butter and sugar mixture, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract. The batter should appear smooth and slightly airy.
6. Alternate Adding Wet and Dry Ingredients:
   Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the infused Earl Grey tea and milk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined, ensuring you don’t overmix the batter.
7. Bake the Cake:
   Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared cake pans. Smooth the tops with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. Make the Lavender Buttercream Frosting:
   While the cakes cool, prepare the frosting. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add the vanilla extract, lavender syrup, and milk until the frosting reaches a smooth, spreadable consistency.
9. Assemble the Cake:
   Once the cakes have cooled completely, place one layer on a cake stand or serving plate. Spread a generous amount of lavender buttercream frosting on top. Place the second cake layer on top and frost the entire cake with the remaining frosting. Garnish with dried lavender buds for an extra touch of elegance.
10. Serve and Enjoy:
    Allow the cake to set for 15-20 minutes before slicing. This will give the frosting time to firm up slightly. Serve the London Fog Cake with a hot cup of tea or as a showstopper dessert at your next gathering.

Tips & Variations

• Add More Tea Flavor: For an extra boost of Earl Grey flavor, you can infuse the milk or butter with Earl Grey tea by steeping the tea in the warm milk or butter before adding it to the batter.
• Make it Lighter: If you prefer a lighter version of this cake, swap half of the all-purpose flour with almond flour for a nuttier flavor.
• Lavender Syrup Substitute: If you can’t find lavender syrup, you can create your own by simmering sugar, water, and lavender buds together. It’s simple and adds a homemade touch to the frosting.

Fun Facts & Cultural Context

London Fog Tea:
The London Fog drink, originally a Vancouver creation, is a tea-based drink made with Earl Grey tea, steamed milk, and vanilla syrup. The cake version takes inspiration from the tea’s bold yet smooth flavor profile, making it a modern twist on a classic favorite.

Lavender in Baking:
Lavender adds a floral, aromatic note to baking, and it’s often used in European desserts, particularly in France. It pairs wonderfully with Earl Grey tea, as both share citrusy and floral notes, creating a balanced and fragrant flavor profile in this cake.

London Fog Cake

A soft vanilla cake infused with Earl Grey tea and layered with light vanilla frosting.

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Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Servings: 10 slices

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American, British-Inspired

Calories: 260

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Cake Batter

• 1 cup whole milk infused with Earl Grey
• 2 tbsp Earl Grey tea loose-leaf or bags
• 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.75 cup unsalted butter room temperature
• 1.25 cups granulated sugar
• 3 eggs room temperature
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• Hand mixer or stand mixer
• Saucepan
• 8-inch cake pans

Method

 

1. Steep Earl Grey tea in warm milk and let cool.
2. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare cake pans.
3. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt together.
4. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
5. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla.
6. Alternate adding dry ingredients and tea milk.
7. Bake 25–30 minutes until set.
8. Cool completely before frosting.

Notes

For stronger tea flavor, use loose-leaf Earl Grey.