Tea time just got a whole lot fancier with this plush Earl Grey cake recipe! Made with the delicate and fragrant flavor of Earl Grey tea, this cake is sure to be an instant hit at your next gathering. The combination of fluffy layers and creamy frosting will have you feeling like royalty in no time. So put on your favorite tea-time outfit, grab a cup of tea (of course!), and let’s get baking!
What You’ll Need
To make this plush Earl Grey cake, you will need a few key ingredients. First and foremost is Earl Grey tea – the star of this show! You can use loose leaf tea or teabags, whichever you prefer.
For the cake batter, you’ll need all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, granulated sugar, unsalted butter (at room temperature), eggs (also at room temperature), whole milk (again at room temperature), and vanilla extract.
To make the frosting to adorn your delicious cake with, you’ll need unsalted butter (once again at room temperature), powdered sugar, heavy cream or milk (whichever you have on hand), and some more Earl Grey tea for flavoring.
Don’t forget about the tools needed for baking- two round 8-inch cake pans are essential. Additionally having an electric mixer helps in making sure all ingredients are properly mixed together. A cooling rack is also useful to let cakes cool after being baked in order to prevent any retainment of moisture from heat.
How to Make the Cake
To start making this plush Earl Grey cake, you will need the following ingredients:
– 3 cups of all-purpose flour
– 1 tablespoon of baking powder
– 1 teaspoon of salt
– 2 tablespoons of loose Earl Grey tea leaves
– 1 cup (2 sticks) of unsalted butter, at room temperature
– 2 cups of granulated sugar
– 4 large eggs, at room temperature
– 1 cup whole milk
Firstly, preheat your oven to a temperature of about350°F. Grease and line three round cake pans with parchment paper.
Next, combine the flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Add in the loose Earl Grey tea leaves and mix well.
In another bowl or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment cream together the butter and sugar for two minutes until it becomes light and fluffy. Add in one egg at a time while constantly mixing on low speed until everything is fully incorporated.
Now alternately add one third dry ingredients mixture into the wet mixture followed by half cup milk while still continuously mixing slowly until everything is mixed thoroughly.
Divide batter evenly between prepared cake pans using an ice cream scoop or measuring cup for accuracy. Bake for around twenty-five minutes or till toothpick comes out clean from center when tested.
Finally remove cakes from oven to cool down completely before frosting them up!
How to Make the Frosting
The frosting is the final touch that will make your Earl Grey cake truly unforgettable. Here’s how to make it:
First, beat softened butter with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and continue beating until well combined.
Next, brew a strong cup of Earl Grey tea and let it cool completely. Add 2 tablespoons of the cooled tea to the butter mixture along with some vanilla extract and milk.
Beat everything together on medium-high speed for about 3-5 minutes or until light and fluffy. The frosting should have a smooth consistency that can hold its shape when piped onto the cake.
If you want to add more flavor to your frosting, consider adding lemon zest or lavender flowers which complement the bergamot notes in Earl Grey tea perfectly.
Once you’ve made your frosting, chill it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before spreading or piping it onto your fully-cooled cake layers for best results. Enjoy!
How to Assemble the Cake
Assembling a cake might seem like an intimidating task, but with the right steps and tools, it can be easy and fun. Here’s how to assemble your Earl Grey Cake:
First, make sure your cake layers are completely cooled before starting. You don’t want them to melt the frosting or slide around while assembling.
Next, level off each layer of the cake using a serrated knife or cake leveler. This ensures that your cake layers will stack evenly on top of each other.
Then, add a generous amount of frosting onto one layer of the cake and spread it out evenly with a spatula. Repeat this step for all remaining layers.
Carefully stack the frosted layers on top of each other, making sure they are centered and even.
Once you’ve stacked all the layers together, use more frosting to cover the entire outside of the cake in an even layer. Smooth out any bumps or uneven spots using a bench scraper or offset spatula.
Decorate as desired with additional piping bags filled with frosting or edible flowers for an extra special touch.
With these tips in mind, you’ll have a perfectly assembled Earl Grey Cake that’s ready to impress at any tea time gathering!
Tips for Making Perfect Earl Grey Tea
Incorporating Earl Grey tea into your dessert is a great way to elevate the flavors of your baking. This plush Earl Grey cake recipe is a perfect example of how tea can be used as an ingredient in desserts.
By following these simple tips, you’ll also learn how to make the perfect cup of Earl Grey tea:
1. Use fresh water: Always use freshly drawn cold water when brewing your tea. Water that has been boiled previously may have lost oxygen and taste flat.
2. Steep for the right amount of time: The ideal steeping time for Earl Grey tea is 3-5 minutes, depending on how strong you like it.
3. Control water temperature: Black teas such as Earl Grey should be brewed with boiling point water (212°F or 100°C). Using cooler water will result in weak and flavorless tea.
4. Experiment with milk and sweeteners: Adding milk or sugar to black teas like Earl Grey is common practice, but everyone’s preferences are different, so feel free to experiment until you find what works best for you.
With these tips in mind, impress your guests by serving up some delicious baked treats made with fragrant and flavorful Earl grey tea!
