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London Fog Cake Recipe

London Fog Cake Recipe
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★★★★★

5.2 from 12 reviews

The London Fog Cake is a delicate and aromatic dessert inspired by the classic Earl Grey tea latte. This cake features a soft, tender crumb infused with Earl Grey tea and culinary lavender, soaked with a fragrant Earl Grey milk mixture, and topped with a luxurious lavender cream cheese frosting. Perfect for tea time or special occasions, this cake beautifully combines floral and citrus notes for a unique and elegant 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
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) whole milk (part of milk used for steeping)

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 the 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 Earl Grey Tea and Lavender: Add the Earl Grey tea and culinary lavender to a food processor and pulse until finely ground. Pass the mixture through a fine sieve to remove any large bits for a smooth texture.
  3. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, ground Earl Grey and lavender mixture, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  4. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream softened butter and granulated sugar together with an electric mixer on high speed for about 2 minutes until light and fluffy.
  5. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time along with the vanilla bean paste. Mix on medium speed until the batter is pale and smooth, about 1 minute.
  6. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the buttermilk and dry flour mixture to the butter mixture, alternating between them and mixing on low speed. Continue until fully combined and smooth, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed.
  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: Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for 30 minutes. Then use the parchment paper to lift the cake out 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 the Earl Grey tea and lavender and steep for 15 minutes. Strain the mixture through a sieve and let it cool. Stir in sweetened condensed milk and vanilla bean paste, then set aside.
  10. Make Lavender Cream Cheese Frosting: Pulse culinary lavender in a food processor until finely ground and sift through a sieve. Beat softened butter on high speed for 5 minutes until pale and fluffy. Add cold cream cheese and beat until combined and fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar, ground lavender, and vanilla bean paste, mixing on low then high until fluffy. Add purple food coloring if desired and mix until combined.
  11. Prepare Cake for Soaking: Once the cake is completely cooled, slice off a very thin top layer to help absorption. Transfer the cake to a serving plate. Poke small holes into the cake surface using the handle of a wooden spoon or similar tool.
  12. Soak the Cake: Slowly pour the Earl Grey milk soak over the cake, allowing time for the liquid to absorb into the pierced holes and cake layers.
  13. Frost the Cake: Spread a generous, thick layer of the lavender cream cheese frosting evenly over the soaked cake using an offset spatula.
  14. Serve: Cut the cake into 16 slices and serve. Enjoy the fragrant, moist, and flavorful London Fog Cake.

Notes

  • Use quality Earl Grey tea and culinary lavender for the best flavor.
  • Make sure the eggs are at room temperature before incorporating for better texture.
  • Steeping the tea and lavender gently over low heat ensures delicate flavor extraction without bitterness.
  • For a smoother frosting, ensure the cream cheese is cold before mixing.
  • Purple food coloring is optional and just for visual appeal; the frosting tastes great without it.
  • Allow the cake to fully absorb the milk soak for moistness before frosting.
  • Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Bring to room temperature before serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: London Fog Cake, Earl Grey Cake, lavender cake, tea cake, cream cheese frosting, floral dessert

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