Name: Heavenly Earl Grey and Lavender London Fog Cake Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Cuisine: British
Ingredients: 2 teaspoons Earl Grey Tea (loose leaf or tea bags); 2 tablespoons Culinary Lavender (dried); 2 cups All-Purpose Flour (measured correctly); 2 teaspoons Baking Powder (fresh); 1 teaspoon Baking Soda; 1 teaspoon Salt (fine); 1 cup Unsalted Butter (at room temperature); 1.5 cups Granulated White Sugar (for creaming); 4 large Eggs (room temperature); 2 teaspoons Vanilla Bean Paste (richer flavor); 1 cup Buttermilk; 1 cup Whole Milk; 1 cup Sweetened Condensed Milk; 8 ounces Cream Cheese (cold); 2 cups Powdered Sugar (adjust sweetness); 1 tablespoon Culinary Lavender (finely ground); 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract (optional); 1 drop Purple Food Coloring (optional)

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Introduction

This Heavenly London Fog Cake offers a delightful twist on the classic Earl Grey tea flavor by incorporating culinary lavender for a fragrant and elegant dessert. Moist, infused, and topped with a creamy lavender frosting, it’s perfect for special occasions or a luxurious teatime treat.

A close-up view of a two-layer slice of light beige cake with a slightly rough texture, filled and topped with a smooth, creamy off-white frosting that has tiny specks throughout. The frosting layer between the cake and on top appears thick and soft, generously applied, with some of it gently dripping down the side. The cake is decorated with small purple flower buds placed on the top edge. The slice rests on a wooden board, with a soft-focused white marbled texture in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 teaspoons Earl Grey Tea (loose leaf or tea bags)
2 tablespoons Culinary Lavender (dried)
2 cups All-Purpose Flour
2 teaspoons Baking Powder
1 teaspoon Baking Soda
1 teaspoon Salt (fine)
1 cup Unsalted Butter (room temperature)
1.5 cups Granulated White Sugar
4 large Eggs (room temperature)
2 teaspoons Vanilla Bean Paste
1 cup Buttermilk
1 cup Whole Milk
1 cup Sweetened Condensed Milk
8 ounces Cream Cheese (cold)
2 cups Powdered Sugar
1 tablespoon Culinary Lavender (finely ground)
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract (optional)
1 drop Purple Food Coloring (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare your baking pan by greasing it or lining with parchment paper.
Step 2: Grind the Earl Grey tea and dried lavender together using a food processor until finely ground.
Step 3: In a bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, ground tea and lavender, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Step 4: Cream the unsalted butter and granulated sugar together in a large bowl until the mixture is light and fluffy.
Step 5: Add the eggs one at a time along with the vanilla bean paste, mixing until the batter is smooth and well combined.
Step 6: Gradually alternate adding the buttermilk and the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing gently to form a creamy batter.
Step 7: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 38 to 44 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 8: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 30 minutes before transferring it onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 9: For the soaking liquid, heat the whole milk with Earl Grey tea and dried lavender for about 15 minutes to infuse the flavors. Strain the mixture and combine it with the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract if using.
Step 10: Prepare the frosting by beating the cold cream cheese until fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar, finely ground lavender, and vanilla extract, continuing to beat until smooth. Add purple food coloring if desired for a delicate tint.
Step 11: Level the top of the cooled cake by trimming if needed. Poke holes evenly over the surface using a skewer or fork.
Step 12: Slowly pour the milk soak over the cake, allowing it to absorb fully.
Step 13: Once soaked, spread the lavender cream cheese frosting evenly over the top of the cake.
Step 14: Slice into 16 portions and serve to enjoy the fragrant, moist layers with the creamy frosting.

Tips & Variations

Use high-quality Earl Grey tea for the best aromatic flavor. Loose leaf usually provides more robust taste than tea bags.
Adjust the amount of lavender in the frosting to suit your preference; finely grinding it helps blend the flavor smoothly.
For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with a plant-based alternative and use coconut cream instead of cream cheese.
Add a teaspoon of lemon zest to the batter for a subtle citrus note that brightens the flavors.
Serve the cake chilled or at room temperature for the best texture and flavor balance.

Storage

Store the cake covered tightly in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Bring it to room temperature before serving to enhance the flavors and soften the frosting. You can freeze individual slices wrapped in plastic wrap and foil for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before enjoying.

How to Serve

The image shows a close-up of a rectangular slice of light beige cake with a slightly crumbly texture on the bottom two-thirds and a thick, smooth layer of pale lavender frosting on top that drips slightly over the edges. The frosting has a speckled appearance with small darker dots. On top of the frosting, there are small purple flowers and sprigs of darker purple lavender flowers spaced evenly. The cake rests on a wooden board placed on a white marbled surface. In the blurred background, more cake slices with similar decoration and white small bowls with dried lavender can be seen. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular black tea instead of Earl Grey?

While you can use regular black tea, Earl Grey’s distinctive bergamot flavor is key to this recipe’s character. Substituting will result in a different, less fragrant taste.

Is it necessary to soak the cake with milk and condensed milk?

The soaking step keeps the cake moist and infuses it with additional Earl Grey and lavender flavor. Skipping it will result in a denser, less flavorful cake.