London Fog Cake

The London Fog Cake is a tender and aromatic dessert inspired by the classic latte. Infused with Earl Grey tea and delicate lavender, the cake is soaked in a creamy tea milk mixture that brings out the nuanced flavors of vanilla and bergamot. A final layer of lavender vanilla bean cream cheese frosting elevates the experience, making each bite rich, fragrant, and unforgettable.

This cake is ideal for brunch, high tea, or any occasion that deserves something a little special. It captures the soul of a London Fog in cake form warm, cozy, and just the right amount of indulgent. Whether you’re a tea enthusiast or just love floral, elegant desserts, this one’s sure to impress.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients:

For the Earl Grey Cake:

• 3 tbsp Earl Grey tea

• 1 tbsp dried culinary lavender

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder

• 1/4 tsp baking soda

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 10 tbsp unsalted butter, softened

• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

• 3 large eggs, room temperature

• 1 tbsp vanilla bean paste

• 1 cup buttermilk

For the Earl Grey Milk Soak:

• 1/2 cup whole milk

• 2 tbsp Earl Grey tea

• 1/2 tbsp culinary lavender

• 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk

• 1/2 tsp vanilla bean paste

For the Lavender Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 1 tbsp dried culinary lavender

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 8 oz cream cheese, cold

• 2 cups powdered sugar

• 1 tsp vanilla bean paste

• Purple food coloring (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9 inch light metal baking pan with parchment paper and lightly grease.

2. Pulse Earl Grey tea and lavender in a food processor until finely ground. Sift to remove larger pieces.

3. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and the sifted tea-lavender blend.

4. In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar until fluffy (2 minutes).

5. Add eggs and vanilla bean paste, mixing until smooth and pale.

6. Gradually alternate adding the buttermilk and dry ingredients, mixing on low until fully combined.

7. Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 38–44 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

8. Let the cake cool for 30 minutes in the pan, then transfer to a wire rack.

Milk Soak:
9. Heat milk until steaming. Add Earl Grey tea and lavender; steep for 15 minutes off heat. Strain and cool.
10. Stir in sweetened condensed milk and vanilla bean paste.

Frosting:
11. Pulse lavender to a fine powder, then sift.
12. Beat softened butter on high for 5 minutes until pale.
13. Add cream cheese and beat for 1 minute.
14. Sift in powdered sugar, add lavender and vanilla, then mix on low to combine. Beat on high for 1 more minute. Add food coloring if desired.

Assembling:
15. Trim the top layer off the cooled cake to allow better absorption.
16. Poke holes over the surface with a wooden skewer.
17. Slowly pour the milk soak across the surface of the cake.
18. Spread the frosting evenly on top. Slice and serve!

Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes | Cooking Time: 40 minutes | Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
Kcal: ~450 kcal per slice | Servings: 16 slices

The London Fog Cake: A Cozy Classic Reinvented in Cake Form

In the world of desserts, there are cakes that feel like celebrations, cakes that feel like indulgence and then there are cakes that feel like comfort. The London Fog Cake is one of those rare creations that offers the best of all three. Inspired by the warm, floral aroma of the London Fog latte a classic tea drink made with Earl Grey, steamed milk, and vanilla this cake captures that same soul-soothing experience and translates it into every bite.

This isn’t just a tea cake in the traditional sense. It’s a multi-layered sensory experience. With its tender Earl Grey-infused crumb, an indulgent milk soak reminiscent of tres leches, and a delicate cream cheese frosting laced with lavender and vanilla bean, the London Fog Cake manages to be sophisticated yet inviting, floral yet grounded. It’s an ideal centerpiece for an elegant brunch, afternoon tea, bridal shower, or simply a cozy weekend bake that brings café-level comfort into your own kitchen.

A Flavor Profile Rooted in Ritual

The flavor of the London Fog Cake stems directly from its namesake drink. For those unfamiliar, a traditional London Fog is an Earl Grey tea latte with a touch of vanilla, often sweetened and sometimes made with a dash of lavender. It’s a beverage that balances citrusy bergamot notes with sweet vanilla creaminess an interplay of brightness and comfort.

This cake preserves that essence by incorporating finely ground Earl Grey tea directly into the cake batter, giving it not only flavor but also subtle texture and aroma. The floral component, delivered via culinary lavender, adds a light, almost ethereal note to the cake and frosting without overwhelming the senses.

Lavender, though occasionally divisive in desserts, shines here when used properly. Its inclusion in both the batter and the frosting offers a gentle, aromatic finish that blends beautifully with the malty vanilla bean paste and rich cream cheese. It’s this harmony that makes the London Fog Cake stand out it doesn’t just taste like a cup of tea, it feels like it, too.

A Unique Soaking Method: Not Quite Tres Leches, but Close

One of the most innovative aspects of this recipe is the Earl Grey milk soak a technique inspired by tres leches cake but modified to complement the structure and purpose of a tea cake. After baking, the cake is cooled, trimmed, and poked with small holes to allow for an infusion of a concentrated tea milk mixture made from Earl Grey, lavender, sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla.

The soak provides not just moisture but also a deeper flavor infusion. Unlike a traditional tres leches, this milk mixture is lighter in volume and more intense in taste. It doesn’t drench the cake but rather enhances its softness, giving each bite a luscious mouthfeel and lingering flavor of the infused tea.

This step transforms the cake from ordinary to exceptional. It ensures the final product is not only moist and rich but also carries the fragrance and complexity of the tea into every layer. For tea lovers, it’s an absolute revelation.

The Frosting: Where Comfort Meets Elegance

No London Fog Cake would be complete without a finishing touch of creamy frosting. Here, that’s provided by a lavender vanilla bean cream cheese frosting a silky, not-too-sweet blend that perfectly complements the floral notes of the cake.

Cream cheese adds tanginess and stability, making the frosting easy to spread and perfect for piping if desired. The addition of finely ground lavender and pure vanilla bean paste gives it both aroma and flavor complexity, creating a frosting that is indulgent yet balanced.

For visual appeal, a touch of purple food coloring can transform the frosting into a lavender-hued cloud, echoing the romantic tones of the ingredients within. Whether left rustic and simple or decorated with swirls and petals, this frosting elevates the overall presentation of the cake without stealing the spotlight from its flavor.

Baking Tips for Success

While this recipe is accessible to the home baker, it does come with a few pointers to ensure the best results:

• Use room temperature ingredients: Especially for the butter, eggs, and buttermilk. This allows for better emulsion and texture in the final cake.

• Grind the tea and lavender finely: Use a food processor or spice grinder, then sift to remove larger bits. This helps incorporate the flavor evenly and avoids any bitterness.

• Measure flour accurately: Spoon and level your flour or better yet, use a digital scale. Over-measuring flour can result in a dense or dry cake.

• Let the milk soak absorb slowly: Be patient while pouring the milk mixture. This ensures the cake absorbs the flavor gradually and evenly.

• Don’t skip the cooling time: The cake needs to be completely cool before soaking and frosting to avoid a soggy or melting mess.

Following these tips helps the baker achieve the cake’s signature moist crumb and balanced flavor.

A Cake for All Seasons and Celebrations

What’s perhaps most appealing about the London Fog Cake is its versatility. While it feels tailor-made for a rainy afternoon with a steaming mug of tea, it’s also elegant enough to serve at weddings, baby showers, or garden parties. Its delicate presentation and flavor make it feel special without requiring hours of complex decorating.

The floral and tea flavors also give the cake a seasonal flexibility. In spring and summer, it feels fresh and botanical; in fall and winter, it transforms into a cozy, warming indulgence. It also appeals to a wide range of dietary preferences and can be made gluten-free by using a high-quality 1:1 flour substitute.

The Story Behind the Aroma

Beyond the flavor and technique, what makes this cake particularly memorable is its sensory impact. The smell of Earl Grey tea and lavender as it bakes is enchanting. It evokes memories of quiet moments, well-worn novels, and familiar cafés.

It’s rare that a dessert can feel as personal as it does communal, but this one does. Baking it is an experience. Serving it is a gesture. And eating it is a pause the kind that lingers a little longer than usual, perhaps with a sip of tea or a sigh of satisfaction.

Conclusion: 

The London Fog Cake is more than just a recipe it’s a culinary love letter to a beloved drink and the rituals that surround it. Each layer from the Earl Grey sponge to the aromatic milk soak and the lush lavender frosting offers a thoughtful composition of flavor, texture, and fragrance.

It’s a dessert that honors the cozy indulgence of tea time while offering the finesse of modern baking. For bakers who want something familiar yet refined, nostalgic yet new, this cake strikes the perfect chord. It’s not just about making something sweet it’s about crafting an experience, one bite at a time.

Whether you’re sharing it at a party or savoring it in solitude, this cake is sure to make an impression. And if you weren’t already a tea lover, you just might be after a slice.