Written By Welcome to the world of tea cakes, where every slice is a delightful surprise loaded with sweet aromas and flavors. And if you’re looking for something unique yet easy-to-make, then this Earl Grey Tea Cake recipe is exactly what you need! It’s moist, flavorful, and has just the right amount of sweetness that will make your taste buds sing. So put on your apron and get ready to whip up a cake that will impress both yourself and your guests. Let’s dive in!
What You’ll Need
To make this fabulous Earl Grey Tea Cake, you’ll need a few basic ingredients that are easily available in your kitchen. First and foremost, you’ll need all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, granulated sugar, unsalted butter at room temperature and eggs.
But what makes this cake unique is the addition of Earl Grey tea leaves that lend it an aromatic flavor. For that reason alone we recommend using high-quality loose-leaf tea instead of teabags to achieve maximum flavor.
You will also need some milk to add moisture to the cake batter along with vanilla extract for added depth of flavour. Don’t forget to grab a mixing bowl and a whisk or electric mixer before getting started!
Now that you have everything ready let’s get busy making this delicious treat!
How to Make the Cake
Making a moist and decadent Earl Grey tea cake from scratch is easier than you might think. Here’s how to do it.
First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour an 8-inch (20cm) cake pan.
In a small saucepan, heat up one cup of milk until steamy. Add in three Earl Grey tea bags, remove the pan from the heat and let steep for five minutes.
Meanwhile, cream together half a cup of softened butter with one cup of granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in two large eggs, one at a time.
In another bowl, sift together two cups of all-purpose flour with two teaspoons of baking powder and half a teaspoon salt. Remove the tea bags from the milk mixture then add this liquid alternately with the dry ingredients into the egg-butter-sugar mixture until smooth.
Pour batter evenly into prepared cake pan then bake for approximately 30-35 minutes or until golden brown on top and cooked through when tested with toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.
Once done cooking let cool completely before assembling as desired!
How to Assemble the Cake
Assembling the Earl Grey tea cake is just as important as making it. Here’s how you can do it effortlessly.
First, let your cake cool completely before assembling it. This will prevent the frosting from melting and sliding off.
Next, level your cake layers using a serrated knife or a cake leveler to ensure that they are flat on top.
Spread a layer of buttercream frosting on top of one cake layer and place the other layer carefully on top of it. Repeat until all your layers are stacked together.
Now, using an offset spatula, spread another thin layer of buttercream frosting around the sides and top of the layered cake to crumb coat it. This will help seal in any crumbs so that they don’t get into your final frosting layer.
Once you have allowed this crumb coat to dry for about 30 minutes in the refrigerator, add a generous amount of frosting on top and use an offset spatula to smooth out its surface evenly.
Decorate with fresh flowers or edible pearls if desired and serve!
How to Serve the Cake
Serve your Earl Grey tea cake with a cup of hot tea or coffee for an extra special treat. The moist and decadent texture of the cake pairs perfectly with a warm beverage, making it the perfect dessert to enjoy on a cold winter day.
You can also add some whipped cream or frosting on top of the cake if you want to make it even more indulgent. Or, serve it plain with a light dusting of powdered sugar for a simpler presentation.
No matter how you choose to serve your Earl Grey tea cake, one thing is for sure – it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser. So go ahead and give this recipe a try today!
