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Earl Grey Lavender Cake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 109 reviews

This Earl Grey Lavender Cake is a delicate and aromatic dessert that combines the subtle floral notes of culinary lavender with the distinctive bergamot flavor of Earl Grey tea. Infused into a moist buttermilk cake, it’s perfect for tea parties, special occasions, or whenever you want a beautifully scented treat. The cake is enhanced by a lemon zest brightness and can be finished with a lavender buttercream or cream cheese frosting for extra richness.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
  • 3 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons Earl Grey tea leaves
  • 1 tablespoon culinary lavender
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Zest of 1 lemon

Optional Frosting Ingredients

  • Lavender buttercream or cream cheese frosting
  • Additional Earl Grey tea (for flavoring frosting)
  • Edible flowers or lavender sprigs (for decoration)

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal after baking.
  2. Steep Earl Grey and Lavender: In a small saucepan, gently warm the buttermilk without boiling. Add the Earl Grey tea leaves and culinary lavender, allowing them to steep for 15 minutes to infuse the flavors. Strain the mixture to remove tea leaves and lavender, then let it cool slightly.
  3. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which should take about 3 to 5 minutes. This incorporates air for a lighter cake texture.
  4. Add Eggs and Flavorings: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Mix in the strained buttermilk infusion and vanilla extract until just combined.
  5. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and lemon zest to evenly distribute the leavening agents and zest.
  6. Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this could result in a dense cake.
  7. Divide Batter and Bake: Evenly divide the batter between the prepared cake pans and smooth the tops with a spatula. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  8. Cool Cakes: Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely. This prevents the cakes from breaking when removed from the pans.
  9. Prepare Optional Frosting: If desired, prepare a lavender buttercream or cream cheese frosting. You can steep Earl Grey tea in warm frosting ingredients to enhance the flavor.
  10. Frost and Decorate: Once the cakes are completely cool, frost and layer them accordingly. Decorate the top with edible flowers or lavender sprigs for an elegant presentation.

Notes

  • Ensure eggs and buttermilk are at room temperature for better mixing and cake texture.
  • Do not let buttermilk boil when warming to avoid curdling.
  • Straining the tea and lavender infusion is critical to avoid texture inconsistencies in the batter.
  • Overmixing the batter can lead to a dense cake, mix just until ingredients are combined.
  • For a stronger Earl Grey flavor in frosting, infuse the tea leaves in the butter or cream cheese while softening.
  • This cake pairs wonderfully with a light cup of tea or a citrus glaze for added brightness.

Keywords: Earl Grey cake, lavender cake, floral cake, buttermilk cake, tea-infused cake, lemon zest cake, elegant dessert, tea party cake

Find it online: https://dinewithlily.com/earl-grey-lavender-cake-recipe/