London Fog Cake Recipe
If you love the comfort of a warm London Fog latte and want to turn that cozy feeling into dessert, you’ll absolutely adore this London Fog Cake. It’s a spectacularly moist cake, delicately infused with Earl Grey tea and sweet floral lavender, all tied together with a luscious lavender cream cheese frosting. Each bite bursts with fragrant tea, gentle hints of vanilla, and a creamy finish—making this the ultimate treat for any fan of classic British flavors or anyone looking to wow at the next family gathering.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredient list for London Fog Cake might look long, but each part is delightfully simple and totally worth it. Every element—from the buttermilk to the culinary lavender—brings a unique depth to the cake’s flavor and texture, creating luxurious layers that make this recipe so special.
- Earl Grey tea: The star flavor, adds citrusy, bergamot-perfumed notes that gracefully scent every slice.
- Culinary lavender: For subtle floral complexity, use culinary (not ornamental) lavender for food safety and best taste.
- All-purpose flour: Provides the essential structure and softness to the cake; spoon and level for the best results.
- Baking powder: Helps lift the cake, making it soft and airy without being too crumbly.
- Baking soda: Works with the buttermilk to keep the crumb moist and tender.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and heightens the flavor of the tea and lavender.
- Unsalted butter: Adds richness and gives the cake its signature melt-in-your-mouth feel.
- Granulated white sugar: Sweetens and helps the cake develop a light, delicate texture.
- Eggs: Make sure they’re at room temperature—they help bind the cake and give it structure.
- Vanilla bean paste: Elevates the aromatic profile and pairs beautifully with both tea and lavender.
- Buttermilk: The secret to a moist crumb with a tangy undertone—don’t skip it!
- Whole milk: Used in the milk soak for extra creaminess and in infusing more Earl Grey flavor.
- Sweetened condensed milk: Adds a gentle sweetness and help the milk soak create an ultra-moist cake.
- Cream cheese: The base of that dreamy, thick frosting; use it cold for the creamiest texture.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens and smooths out the frosting for an airy finish.
- Purple food coloring (optional): Adds a hint of whimsical color to your frosting, but completely optional!
How to Make London Fog Cake
Step 1: Prepare The Cake Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Take a 9×9 inch light metal baking pan, grease it well, and line the bottom with parchment paper for the easiest release. This makes removing your delicate London Fog Cake a total breeze later!
Step 2: Grind Your Tea and Lavender
Add your Earl Grey tea leaves and culinary lavender to a food processor, pulsing until finely ground. Sift the mixture to remove any larger bits. This step ensures the floral and citrusy notes melt seamlessly into every bite.
Step 3: Mix The Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, ground tea-lavender blend, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This integrates the delicate flavors throughout and prevents any clumping in your batter.
Step 4: Cream Butter And Sugar
Place softened butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl. Using an electric mixer, cream on high speed for about 2 minutes, until the mixture becomes pale and fluffy—this step starts building air into your London Fog Cake for that dreamy lightness.
Step 5: Add Eggs And Vanilla
Beat in the eggs and vanilla bean paste, mixing on medium until the batter turns lighter and smooth, about 1 minute. This infuses the batter with aromatic vanilla and ensures a unified base for moistness and rise.
Step 6: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Alternately add your buttermilk and dry flour mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix gently on low, scraping down as needed, until just combined and the batter is smooth. Overmixing will toughen your crumb, so stop once everything is incorporated.
Step 7: Bake The Cake
Pour the batter evenly into your lined pan and smooth out the surface. Slide it into the oven and bake for 38 to 44 minutes, or until a toothpick poked in the center comes out clean. Let your kitchen fill with the inviting aromas of lavender and Earl Grey!
Step 8: Cool The Cake Completely
Allow the cake to cool in its pan on a wire rack for 30 minutes, then carefully lift it out using the parchment sides and finish cooling on the rack. This ensures your London Fog Cake is stable (and safe from soggy bottoms!) before assembling.
Step 9: Prepare The Earl Grey Milk Soak
As the cake cools, heat whole milk just until steaming. Add Earl Grey tea and lavender and let it steep for 15 minutes. Strain the mixture through a sieve, then combine it with sweetened condensed milk and vanilla bean paste. This syrup is key to achieving your cake’s signature moist, almost tres leches-like texture.
Step 10: Make The Lavender Cream Cheese Frosting
Pulse lavender in a food processor and sift to remove any rough bits. Beat butter on high until fluffy, add in cream cheese, and whip again. Sift in powdered sugar, then lavender and vanilla bean paste, mixing until thick and smooth. For a pop of color, swirl in a drop or two of purple food coloring.
Step 11: Assemble The Cake
Once your cake is fully cooled, slice a thin layer off the top to help it soak up the milk mixture. Use a wooden skewer or small-handle spoon to poke holes all over the top—think of this as the sponge waiting for its tea! Gently pour the Earl Grey milk soak over, allowing it to absorb fully. Finally, spread a generous layer of lavender cream cheese frosting over the top, smoothing it with an offset spatula. Slice into 16 squares and get ready to wow your friends and family!
How to Serve London Fog Cake
Garnishes
For a stunningly elegant finish, sprinkle a few extra Earl Grey tea leaves or food-grade lavender buds over the frosted cake. A light dusting of powdered sugar adds wintry charm, while a touch of edible glitter makes it perfect for special occasions.
Side Dishes
London Fog Cake pairs beautifully with fresh fruit, especially berries or orange slices that echo the cake’s citrusy notes. For afternoon tea, serve alongside petite shortbread cookies or a creamy vanilla latte to amplify the cozy vibes.
Creative Ways to Present
This cake is striking enough all on its own, but you can get creative by slicing it into dainty tea party fingers or layering squares with more frosting for an elegant layer-cake effect. Serve on vintage china for classic charm, or in mason jars for a portable, modern dessert.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any extra slices of London Fog Cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. The flavors mellow and blossom even more on the second day, making leftovers a delightful treat.
Freezing
For longer storage, freeze individual, unfrosted slices wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Thaw in the fridge overnight and frost fresh before serving for the best flavor and texture.
Reheating
If you want to enjoy the cake slightly warm, pop a slice in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds (after it’s fully thawed and frosted). The frosting will become ultrasoft and dreamy, and the cake itself feels extra decadent.
FAQs
Can I use regular lavender instead of culinary lavender?
Please stick with culinary lavender, as it’s processed for safe consumption and has a milder, sweeter flavor. Ornamental lavender can be bitter and isn’t intended for food.
Do I have to use buttermilk, or can I substitute?
Buttermilk is best for that tangy tenderness, but in a pinch, you can make your own by mixing 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar with 1 cup of whole milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using.
Can this cake be made gluten free?
Absolutely! Just swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite 1:1 gluten-free blend. Make sure to check that your blend contains xanthan gum for structure; otherwise, the cake may crumble.
Can I make London Fog Cake as a layer cake?
Yes! Simply double the recipe and bake it in two 9-inch round pans, adjusting the bake time as needed (start checking at 28 minutes). Stack with plenty of frosting for a show-stopping centerpiece.
How do I prevent my cake from drying out?
Don’t overbake—take it out as soon as a toothpick comes out clean. The milk soak also keeps the London Fog Cake super moist, but make sure to cover leftovers tightly in the fridge to retain freshness.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re celebrating something special or just craving a slice of old-fashioned comfort with a twist, this London Fog Cake brings warmth and elegance to any occasion. Give it a try, and don’t be surprised if it becomes your new favorite cake to share and savor. Happy baking!
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London Fog Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: 16 slices 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the delicate flavors of Earl Grey tea and culinary lavender with this exquisite London Fog Cake. Moist Earl Grey-infused cake layers are soaked in a fragrant Earl Grey milk mixture and frosted with a creamy lavender-infused cream cheese frosting, creating a sophisticated and delicious dessert.
Ingredients
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 whole milk
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
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
- For the Earl Grey Cake Preheat the oven. Prepare pan and ingredients. Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla. Alternate adding buttermilk and dry ingredients. Bake and cool cake.
- For the Earl Grey Milk Soak Heat milk and steep with tea and lavender. Strain and cool. Mix with condensed milk and vanilla.
- For the Lavender Cream Cheese Frosting Ground lavender. Beat butter, then add cream cheese. Mix in powdered sugar, lavender, and vanilla. Color with food coloring.
- Assembling the Cake Slice cake, poke holes, soak with milk mixture, and frost with lavender cream cheese frosting. Cut into slices and serve.
Notes
- Ensure the milk mixture is completely cooled before soaking the cake.
- Adjust the amount of food coloring to achieve the desired shade of frosting.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: London Fog Cake, Earl Grey, Lavender, Cream Cheese Frosting, Dessert
