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London Fog Cake Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 114 reviews

This London Fog Cake is a delightful fusion of Earl Grey tea and culinary lavender, creating a fragrant and elegant dessert. The tender cake is infused with an Earl Grey milk soak, making it moist and flavorful, and topped with a luscious lavender cream cheese frosting. Perfect for tea lovers, this cake balances floral and citrusy notes with a creamy sweetness for a sophisticated treat.

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: Combine the Earl Grey tea and culinary lavender in a food processor and pulse until finely ground. Pass the mixture through a sieve to remove any larger bits for a smooth texture.
  3. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, ground Earl Grey and lavender, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set this flour mixture aside.
  4. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer on high speed for about 2 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy.
  5. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Mix in the eggs and vanilla bean paste on medium speed until the batter is pale and smooth, which should take about 1 minute.
  6. Incorporate Dry Ingredients and Buttermilk: Alternately add the flour mixture and buttermilk to the butter mixture on low speed, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined and smooth, scraping down the sides if necessary.
  7. Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 38-44 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  8. Cool the Cake: Allow the cake to cool in the pan on a wire rack for 30 minutes. Then carefully lift the cake out using the parchment paper and let it cool completely on the rack.
  9. Prepare Earl Grey Milk Soak: Heat whole milk in a small saucepan over low heat until steaming. Add Earl Grey tea and lavender, and steep for 15 minutes. Strain through a sieve and cool. Stir in sweetened condensed milk and vanilla bean paste, then set aside.
  10. Make Lavender Frosting: Pulse the remaining lavender in a food processor and sieve to remove large bits. Beat unsalted butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer on high until pale and fluffy (about 5 minutes). Add cream cheese and mix on high until fluffy (about 1 minute). Sift in powdered sugar, then add lavender and vanilla. Mix on low to combine, then on high for 1 minute until fluffy. Add purple food coloring if desired and mix again.
  11. Prepare Cake for Soak: Once cooled, slice off a very thin top layer of the cake to help absorb the soak. Transfer the cake to a serving plate. Poke holes evenly across the top using a wooden stick or spoon handle.
  12. Soak the Cake: Slowly pour the Earl Grey milk soak over the top, allowing it to seep into the holes and absorb thoroughly. Patience ensures moistness without sogginess.
  13. Frost and Serve: Spread a thick layer of the lavender cream cheese frosting evenly over the cake using an offset spatula. Cut into 16 slices and serve.

Notes

  • Using culinary lavender is key for a floral but not overpowering flavor; ensure it is food-grade.
  • Make sure the cake is completely cool before soaking and frosting to avoid melting the frosting.
  • The soak adds moisture and enhances the Earl Grey flavor, so do not skip or substitute.
  • Adjust the amount of purple food coloring to achieve your preferred shade or omit for a natural look.
  • For best results, use room temperature eggs and softened butter.
  • This cake keeps well refrigerated, covered tightly, for up to 3 days.

Keywords: London Fog Cake, Earl Grey Cake, Lavender Cake, Tea Cake, Cream Cheese Frosting, Earl Grey Milk Soak, Floral Cake

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