Ingredients
- For the cake:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup whole milk or cream
- 2–3 Earl Grey tea bags
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1–2 teaspoons finely ground Earl Grey tea leaves (optional for stronger flavor)
- For the buttercream:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3–4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2–4 tablespoons milk or cream (as needed)
- Optional: 1–2 tablespoons steeped Earl Grey milk or a pinch of ground tea leaves
- Optional garnish: crushed tea leaves, lavender buds, white chocolate shavings, edible flowers
Instructions
- Steep 2–3 Earl Grey tea bags in warmed milk for 15 minutes, then remove tea and cool the milk.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and line two 8-inch round cake pans.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla.
- Alternately add dry ingredients and cooled tea-infused milk, beginning and ending with dry, mixing just until combined. Fold in ground tea if using.
- Divide batter evenly between pans and bake 25–30 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
- For frosting, beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar. Add vanilla and milk/cream until smooth and spreadable. Mix in Earl Grey flavoring if desired.
- Frost and stack cooled cake layers. Garnish with desired toppings.
Notes
- Add a hint of lavender or lemon zest for variation.
- Use Swiss meringue buttercream for a silkier texture.
- Make as cupcakes (bake 18–22 minutes).
- Layers can be baked and frozen ahead of time.
- Store at room temp for 2 days or refrigerate up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British-Inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 36g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
