London Fog Cake Recipe

This London Fog Cake is a dreamy tribute to the beloved beverage, swirling fragrant Earl Grey tea and calming lavender right into a soft, tender cake, then soaking each crumb with a creamy Earl Grey milk. Finished with a swoon-worthy lavender cream cheese frosting, this cake is gorgeously aromatic, subtly floral, and absolutely perfect for both special occasions and cozy afternoons. If you love the flavors of bergamot, vanilla, and sweet cream, you’ll swoon over every bite!

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this London Fog Cake comes from its simple, thoughtful ingredients. Each one plays a starring role in building wonderful flavor, texture, and the signature lavender-hued finish of this showstopper!

• Earl Grey tea: The essence of the classic drink, its bright bergamot flavor gives this cake its iconic character—use high-quality loose leaf if possible.
• Culinary lavender: Dried lavender brings gentle floral notes that balance and complement the tea; only use culinary-grade to avoid bitterness.
• All-purpose flour: The backbone of the cake, providing structure while letting delicate flavors shine through.
• Baking powder and baking soda: These leaveners ensure your cake bakes up light and fluffy without heaviness.
• Salt: Just enough to pop the flavors and keep the sweetness in check.
• Unsalted butter: Adds richness and that classic, tender crumb—make sure it’s softened for smooth mixing!
• Granulated white sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps achieve a perfectly moist texture.
• Eggs: Essential for binding and a gorgeously creamy consistency; room temperature is key for even mixing.
• Vanilla bean paste: Intensifies the vanilla notes and adds pretty flecks throughout the cake and frosting.
• Buttermilk: Delivers tang and tenderness that make the crumb irresistibly soft.
• Whole milk: Used for the milk soak, it partners with tea and lavender to make every bite extra luxurious.
• Sweetened condensed milk: Adds richness and a touch of caramel sweetness to the soaking milk.
• Cream cheese: The star of the frosting, bringing a delightful tangy depth and silkiness.
• Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting for that cloud-like finish.
• Purple food coloring (optional): Gives your frosting a whimsical pastel hue to echo the lavender theme.

How to Make London Fog Cake

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Preheat

Set yourself up for success by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9-inch light metal baking pan, then line it with parchment paper so you can easily lift the cake out once it cools. This little prep step saves so much stress later!

Step 2: Infuse and Sift the Dry Mix

Add the Earl Grey tea and lavender straight to your food processor and pulse until they’re finely ground—the more fragrant, the better! Sift these with the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. It’s a simple move that evenly distributes those magical aromatics all through the cake batter.

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar

Cream your softened butter and sugar together at high speed for about 2 minutes, until fluffy and pale. This mixes in air and is the secret behind that wonderful, soft cake texture. Don’t rush this part! The London Fog Cake is all about those tender, melt-in-your-mouth bites.

Step 4: Mix in Eggs and Vanilla

One at a time, add in your eggs and the vanilla bean paste, mixing on medium speed until the mixture becomes lighter in color and ultra-smooth (about 1 minute). It should look creamy and cohesive at this stage—this step brings all that luxurious richness to your cake.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Add the buttermilk alternately with the dry flour mixture, mixing on low speed and scraping down the sides of your bowl as you go. Your batter should come together smoothly and look thick but pourable. Don’t over-mix—stop as soon as everything is combined for the most delicate crumb!

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Pour the batter into your prepared pan and smooth out the top. Slide it into the oven and bake for 38 to 44 minutes. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let it cool in the pan on a rack for 30 minutes before carefully lifting it out to finish cooling completely. Patience is your friend—this cake needs to be fully cool for the next steps!

Step 7: Steep the Earl Grey Milk Soak

While your cake cools, make the flavorful milk soak. Gently heat milk in a small saucepan, then steep with Earl Grey tea and more lavender for 15 minutes. Strain, cool, and then mix in the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla bean paste. This luscious mixture is what takes the London Fog Cake right over the top!

Step 8: Whip Up the Lavender Cream Cheese Frosting

First, blitz your final little bit of lavender in a food processor and sift any big bits out—it needs to be fine for a smooth, beautifully speckled frosting. Beat the butter until super pale and fluffy, add in the cold cream cheese, and whip some more. Sift in the powdered sugar, ground lavender, and vanilla, beating well. Add a touch of purple food coloring if you want that gentle lavender look.

Step 9: Assemble Your London Fog Cake

Once your cake is cool, shave the very top off with a sharp knife—just a thin layer so the milk can soak in nicely. Transfer to a serving plate. Poke holes in the cake with a stick or the handle of a wooden spoon. Slowly drizzle your Earl Grey milk soak all over, letting it absorb fully. Frost generously with the lavender cream cheese frosting, using an offset spatula to create thick, swoopy swirls. Slice into 16 tidy squares, and you’re ready for pure cake magic!

How to Serve London Fog Cake

Garnishes

Take your London Fog Cake from fabulous to unforgettable with thoughtful garnishes! Sprinkle a tiny pinch of culinary lavender, a scatter of edible dried petals, or a little fresh lemon zest right across the frosted top. If you’re feeling extra, add a few curls of white chocolate for an elegant finish. These little touches don’t just look pretty—they add intriguing scents and tastes that’ll have everyone swooning before the first bite.

Side Dishes

The soft, rich flavors in London Fog Cake are perfect with an array of cozy sides. Serve each slice with cups of hot Earl Grey for that tea party fantasy, or offer a fruity berry compote for a tart contrast. A scoop of classic vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of softly whipped cream would be heavenly alongside the fragrant undertones of the cake.

Creative Ways to Present

For a truly memorable presentation, cut the cake into dainty rectangles and display them on a tiered stand for afternoon tea. Or use a small round cutter to make mini, single-serve cakes—top each with a swirl of frosting and an edible flower. You could even layer slices with extra frosting in parfait glasses for a playful, deconstructed take on the London Fog Cake that’s perfect for parties!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Thanks to its cream cheese frosting and that irresistibly moist milk soak, London Fog Cake stays soft and tender for days. Cover leftovers tightly with plastic wrap or transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to four days. Let the cake come to room temperature for the best texture when you’re ready to enjoy another slice.

Freezing

If you want to stash some for later (or can’t resist doubling up for a future treat), wrap individual cake slices tightly in plastic wrap, then foil. Freeze for up to two months. For best results, freeze the cake unfrosted and add fresh frosting once thawed, but the finished cake will freeze in a pinch if you’re careful to wrap it well.

Reheating

A chilled slice of London Fog Cake will taste freshest if brought to room temperature naturally—no microwave needed! Just leave a piece out for about 30 minutes before serving, allowing the flavors and texture to return to their perfumed, creamy best. Avoid reheating in the oven or microwave, as the frosting can melt and lose its lush consistency.

FAQs

Can I use Earl Grey tea bags instead of loose leaf?

Absolutely! If loose leaf isn’t handy, just snip open the tea bags and use the same amount by weight. The key is to use fresh, aromatic tea for the signature London Fog Cake flavor.

Is it possible to make this cake gluten free?

Yes, swap in a good 1:1 gluten-free baking flour for the all-purpose flour. Keep in mind the texture may be slightly more delicate, but the gorgeous Earl Grey and lavender notes will still shine!

Can I make London Fog Cake in advance?

You sure can! Bake the cake layer a day ahead and wrap tightly. Prepare and add the milk soak and frosting the next day for ultimate freshness. The flavors might even develop and become more pronounced after a night in the fridge.

What if I don’t have cream cheese for the frosting?

If you’re in a pinch, substitute with mascarpone for a beautiful, smooth alternative, or use all-butter for a more classic buttercream (though it will miss a little of that signature tang).

Can I turn this into a layer cake?

Of course! Divide the batter between two 8-inch round pans, reduce baking time slightly, and layer with milk soak and frosting as you build. London Fog Cake transforms beautifully into a celebration centerpiece.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a tea enthusiast or just love a cake with a twist, London Fog Cake is pure comfort, fragrance, and celebration all in one. Let its notes transport you to your favorite café on a rainy afternoon—give it a try, and it just might become your go-to for special occasions and sweet cravings alike!

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