Name: Delicious London Fog Cake with Earl Grey & Lavender Bliss
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 44 min
Total time: 104 min
Ingredients: 2 cups All-Purpose Flour; 2 teaspoons Baking Powder; 1 teaspoon Baking Soda; 1/2 teaspoon Salt; 1 cup Unsalted Butter (softened); 1.5 cups Granulated Sugar; 3 large Eggs (room temperature); 1 tablespoon Vanilla Bean Paste (or extract); 1 cup Buttermilk; 2 teaspoons Earl Grey Tea (loose leaf); 1 tablespoon Culinary Lavender (dried); 1 cup Whole Milk; 1/2 cup Sweetened Condensed Milk; 8 oz Cream Cheese (cold); 3 cups Powdered Sugar; 1 teaspoon Purple Food Coloring (optional)

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As I took my first bite of this enchanting cake, the harmonious blend of Earl Grey and lavender washed over me like a warm hug. This Moist London Fog Cake is a treasure for any tea lover, offering a delightful escape from the ordinary. Infused with a silky Earl Grey lavender milk soak, the cake is incredibly soft and fragrant, while the luscious lavender cream cheese frosting adds a dreamy finish. Not only is this recipe refreshingly easy to prepare, perfect for a quick afternoon delight, but it also has a gluten-free option for those with dietary needs. I can’t help but wonder—what will you pair with your slice, a cup of steaming tea or a scoop of ice cream?

Why is London Fog Cake a Must-Try?

Exquisite Flavor Fusion: This London Fog Cake combines the distinctive taste of Earl Grey tea with the floral essence of lavender, creating a delectable treat that tantalizes your taste buds.

Moist and Luscious: The cake is soaked in a sweet lavender milk, ensuring it’s incredibly moist and bursting with flavor in every bite.

Easy Preparation: With straightforward steps, even beginner bakers can master this recipe and impress their friends and family effortlessly.

Gluten-Free Option Available: Adapting the recipe for gluten-free diets is a breeze, making it accessible for everyone to enjoy!

Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether you’re hosting a tea party or craving a cozy dessert, this cake pairs beautifully with a cup of tea, just like our Strawberry Icebox Cake or our delightful Double Chocolate Chunk Yogurt Coffee Cake. Enjoy the blissful experience this cake brings!

London Fog Cake Ingredients

For the Cake
• Earl Grey Tea – Essential for delivering that distinct flavor; use loose leaf or two tea bags for proper infusion.
• Culinary Lavender – Offers delicate floral notes, enhancing the tea flavor; opt for dried lavender over extract for authenticity.
• All-Purpose Flour – Forms the cake structure; for the best results, weigh your flour with a kitchen scale.
• Baking Powder & Baking Soda – These leavening agents ensure your cake rises to perfection.
• Salt – Enhances sweetness and balances flavors.
• Unsalted Butter – Brings richness and moisture; always soften it for easy blending.
• Granulated Sugar – Sweetens and moistens the cake; be sure to cream it well with the butter for lightness.
• Eggs – Provide moisture and structure; using room temperature eggs yields the best results.
• Vanilla Bean Paste – Adds flavor depth; if unavailable, regular vanilla extract works too.
• Buttermilk – Keeps the cake moist; you can easily make it at home with milk and vinegar or lemon juice.

For the Milk Soak
• Whole Milk – Serves as the base for soaking the cake, keeping it ultra moist.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk – Adds a thick, luscious sweetness to the soak.

For the Frosting
• Cream Cheese – Forms the frosting’s base; starting with cold cream cheese helps prevent runniness.
• Powdered Sugar – Sweetens and thickens the frosting to your desired consistency.
• Purple Food Coloring – Optional; add a touch of visual flair to your cream cheese frosting.

Indulge in the blissful experience of this London Fog Cake, where every ingredient plays a role in creating a memorable dessert!

Step‑by‑Step Instructions for London Fog Cake

Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9 inch light metal baking pan and line the bottom with parchment paper for easy release after baking. This preparation ensures your London Fog Cake bakes evenly and comes out beautifully.

Step 2: Prepare the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, combine the Earl Grey tea leaves and culinary lavender, grinding them lightly in a food processor if desired. Whisk together these flavors with all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, creating a fragrant dry mixture. Set this aside to infuse the cake with a delightful aroma.

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture appears pale and fluffy, about 2 minutes of mixing. This step is crucial for incorporating air into the batter, helping your London Fog Cake rise beautifully. Once fluffy, add in the eggs and vanilla bean paste, mixing until smooth.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually mix in the buttermilk along with the prepared dry ingredients, being careful not to overmix. Your goal is to combine everything until just incorporated, resulting in a smooth batter. This balance ensures a moist texture without compromising the lightness of your London Fog Cake.

Step 5: Bake the Cake
Pour the batter into your prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly. Place the pan in your preheated oven and bake for 38-44 minutes. You’ll know your cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, and the edges start to pull away from the pan. Let the cake cool in the pan for 30 minutes.

Step 6: Prepare the Milk Soak
To create the milk soak, heat the whole milk in a saucepan until warm but not boiling. Steep with additional Earl Grey tea and lavender for 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. After cooling, mix in sweetened condensed milk and a splash of vanilla for extra richness, creating a luxurious soak for your cake.

Step 7: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting
While the cake cools, grind some culinary lavender if you haven’t already. In a mixing bowl, cream the cold cream cheese and softened butter until fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar, along with the ground lavender and vanilla bean paste, mixing until your frosting reaches a silky and spreadable consistency.

Step 8: Assemble the Cake
Once the cake is completely cooled, trim the top to level it if necessary. Poke holes evenly across the top with a skewer or fork, then slowly pour the Earl Grey milk soak over the cake, allowing it to absorb fully for a moist finish. Finally, spread a generous layer of cream cheese frosting over the top, and your beautiful London Fog Cake is ready to be sliced and served!

How to Store and Freeze London Fog Cake

Fridge: Store your London Fog Cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This keeps the cake moist and fresh while allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.

Freezer: If you’d like to freeze it, wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. It can stay frozen for up to 2 months—just thaw at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy!

Reheating: For a delightful experience, gently reheat a slice in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds, giving it a warm and cozy feel while enhancing the cake’s moistness.

Expert Tips for London Fog Cake

Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure eggs and butter are at room temperature to create a well-emulsified batter for your London Fog Cake.
Accurate Flour Measurement: Use a kitchen scale to weigh your flour, preventing a dense cake caused by packing the flour too tightly.
Light Colored Pan: Opt for a light metal baking pan to ensure even baking; dark pans can cause over-browning on the edges.
Gluten-Free Consideration: For a gluten-free option, use Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 Gluten-Free Baking Flour for comparable texture and flavor.
Soak Time Matters: Allow enough time for the cake to absorb the Earl Grey milk soak; this is key to achieving that incredibly moist finish.

London Fog Cake Variations & Substitutions

Feel free to get creative and tailor your London Fog Cake to your taste with these delightful variations!

Gluten-Free: Substitute all-purpose flour with Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 Gluten-Free Baking Flour for a gluten-free version that tastes just as wonderful.
Floral Twist: Replace Earl Grey tea with chamomile or jasmine tea for a different flavor profile; each brings a unique floral essence that still captures that comforting taste.
Mini Treats: Transform your cake batter into cupcakes or mini cakes for adorable portion sizes that are perfect for gatherings or brunch.
Citrus Splash: Integrate lemon zest into the cake or frosting for added brightness; this twist beautifully enhances the floral notes of the lavender.
Nutty Crunch: Fold in finely chopped almonds or walnuts to the batter for a delightful texture contrast, offering a nutty flavor complementing the lavender.
Creamy Delight: Swirl in some lemon or lavender-flavored Greek yogurt into the batter for an extra creamy texture; you won’t be disappointed with this moistening addition.
Spice it Up: Add a sprinkle of nutmeg or cardamom into the batter for an aromatic depth that harmonizes beautifully with the Earl Grey notes.
Decadent Ganache: Top the frosted cake with a rich chocolate ganache for a touch of indulgence; the chocolate pairs surprisingly well with the floral elements, creating a luxurious flavor experience.

No matter how you choose to customize it, each version remains a celebration of comfort, perfect for an afternoon tea alongside a slice of our Strawberry Cheesecake Sandwiches or a serving of our Peach Dump Cake. Enjoy making it your own!

Make Ahead Options

These London Fog Cake preparations are a godsend for busy home cooks looking to save time! You can prepare the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, baking soda, Earl Grey tea, and lavender) and store them in an airtight container up to 3 days in advance. Also, you can make the cream cheese frosting and refrigerate it up to 2 days ahead. When you’re ready to bake, simply mix the wet ingredients with your pre-prepped dry mix, bake the cake, and allow it to cool. Lastly, soak and frost the cake just before serving for that freshly made taste, ensuring it stays just as delicious!

What to Serve with London Fog Cake

Elevate your dessert experience by exploring delectable pairings that enhance the enchanting flavors of this lovely cake.

Fresh Berries: Juicy strawberries or blueberries provide a tart contrast that brightens each bite, enhancing the floral notes of the cake.
Whipped Cream: Light and airy, a dollop of fresh whipped cream complements the rich cream cheese frosting, adding a lovely texture to your plate.
Earl Grey Tea: Brew a cup of this aromatic tea for a seamless pairing; its warm, comforting flavors echo the essence of the cake itself.
Honey Drizzle: A touch of honey adds a hint of sweetness; drizzle it over the cake for extra richness that ties in beautifully with the lavender.
Vanilla Ice Cream: Creamy vanilla ice cream serves as a delightful contrast to the moist cake, providing a refreshing coolness that balances the texture.
Lavender Lemonade: A floral, citrusy drink makes for an irresistible thirst quencher, harmonizing with the cake’s delicate flavors.
Chocolate Ganache: A silky chocolate ganache adds a touch of indulgence and pairs wonderfully with the cake’s floral essence.
Nutty Biscotti: On the side, serve crunchy biscotti for a delightful textural contrast, perfect for dipping into tea or coffee alongside your slice.

These ideas will surely create a memorable feast that will warm hearts and satisfy any sweet craving!

London Fog Cake Recipe FAQs

What kind of Earl Grey tea should I use for the cake?
Absolutely! For the London Fog Cake, I recommend using high-quality loose leaf Earl Grey tea for the best flavor infusion. If you prefer convenience, you can use tea bags, and two bags will equal about two tablespoons of loose leaf. This ensures that your cake captures that iconic tea aroma and taste.

How should I store leftovers of the London Fog Cake?
I often make this cake and store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It’s important to let the cake come to room temperature before serving for the best texture and flavor. This way, you can enjoy the moistness that makes this cake so delightful!

Can I freeze the London Fog Cake?
Yes, you can! To freeze your London Fog Cake, wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. It can be frozen for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to indulge again, simply thaw it at room temperature. For an extra treat, reheat a slice in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds to enhance the cake’s warmth and moistness!

What if my cake turns out dense or dry?
That can be disheartening, but fear not! A dense cake often results from overmixing the batter or incorrectly measuring the flour. I recommend using a digital kitchen scale for precision and mixing until the ingredients are just combined. If your cake turns out dry, make sure you’re saturating it well with the Earl Grey milk soak. Pour it slowly, allowing the cake to absorb without overwhelming it.

Is this recipe suitable for people with gluten intolerance?
Very much so! If you’re looking to make a gluten-free version of the London Fog Cake, I suggest using Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 Gluten-Free Baking Flour. This flour blend mimics the texture of all-purpose flour nicely, allowing you to enjoy this flavorful cake without worry.

Can I use different types of tea or flavors?
The more the merrier! While Earl Grey is traditional, you can easily substitute it with other floral teas like chamomile or jasmine for a unique twist. Adding lemon zest to the batter or frosting can also elevate the floral flavor profile, creating a light and refreshing touch. Enjoy experimenting!