The Ultimate London Fog Cake Recipe

Oh, my sweet friends, if you know me, you know I have a deep, abiding love for a perfectly crafted London Fog latte. There’s just something so incredibly comforting about that warm, creamy, subtly floral sip. I’ve often dreamed of capturing that cozy feeling in a dessert, and I’m thrilled to tell you, my London Fog Cake recipe does exactly that!

This truly special treat brings together the elegant notes of Earl Grey tea and delicate lavender in a way that feels both sophisticated and utterly comforting. While it might look impressive, I promise you, it’s totally achievable in your home kitchen and worth every minute of the around 3 hours active time plus cooling.

Emily

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The Ultimate London Fog Cake Recipe

This truly special treat brings together the elegant notes of Earl Grey tea and delicate lavender in a way that feels both sophisticated and utterly comforting. While it might look impressive, I promise you, it’s totally achievable in your home kitchen and worth every minute of the around 3 hours active time plus cooling.

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Prep Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 2 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Servings: 16 slices

Course: Dessert

Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients

  

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For the Earl Grey & Lavender Cake:

• 3 tbsp Earl Grey tea (12 g)
• 1 tbsp culinary lavender (2 g)
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled (282 g)
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 10 tbsp unsalted butter, softened (140 g)
• 1 1/2 cups granulated white sugar (300 g)
• 3 eggs, at room temperature
• 1 tbsp vanilla bean paste
• 1 cup buttermilk (240 ml)

For the Earl Grey Milk Soak:

• 1/2 cup whole milk (120 ml)
• 2 tbsp Earl Grey tea (8 g)
• 1/2 tbsp culinary lavender (1 g)
• 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk (150 g)
• 1/2 tsp vanilla bean paste

For the Lavender Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 1 tbsp culinary lavender (2 g)
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (224 g)
• 8 oz cream cheese, cold (226 g)
• 2 cups powdered sugar (260 g)
• 1 tsp vanilla bean paste

Equipment

• food processor
• sieve
• medium bowl
• Electric Mixer
• large bowl
• Rubber Spatula
• 9×9 inch light metal baking pan
• Parchment Paper
• wire rack
• small sauce pan
• liquid measuring cup
• offset spatula
• wooden stick
• handle of a wooden spoon
• handle of a honey dipper

Method

 

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9 inch light metal baking pan and line it with parchment paper.
2. Add the Earl Grey tea and lavender to a food processor and pulse until finely ground. Pass through a sieve to separate any large bits.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, Earl Grey tea, lavender, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Then set aside the flour mixture.
4. Add the softened butter and granulated white sugar to a large bowl. Cream together for 2 minutes with an electric mixer on high speed.
5. Then add in the eggs and vanilla and mix on medium speed until pale in color and smooth, about 1 minute.
6. Add in the buttermilk and dry ingredients a little bit at a time, mixing on low speed until all is combined and the batter is smooth. Scrape the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula as necessary.
7. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake the cake for 38-44 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean from the center.
8. Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for 30 minutes, then pull up on the parchment paper to release it from the pan. Let the cake continue cooling on the cooling rack until completely cooled.
9. While the cake cools, work on the Earl Grey milk soak. Add the milk to a small sauce pan and heat over low heat until steaming, then add in the Earl Grey tea and lavender. Allow it to steep for 15 minutes, then remove from the heat. Pass the mixture through a sieve and allow the milk to cool.
10. Transfer the Earl Grey milk to a liquid measuring cup or something you can easily pour from. Mix in the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla. Set aside until ready to use.
11. Add the lavender to a food processor and pulse until finely ground. Pass through a sieve to separate any large bits.
12. Add the butter to a large mixing bowl and mix on high speed with an electric mixer until pale and fluffy, about 5 minutes.
13. Then add in the cream cheese and mix on high speed until fluffy, about 1 minute.
14. Sift in the powdered sugar, and add in the lavender and vanilla. Mix on low speed until combined, then on high speed for 1 minute until fluffy again. Add in purple food coloring and mix until combined.
15. When the cake is completely cooled, cut a very thin layer off the top of the cake using a sharp knife. This will make it easier for the Earl Grey milk to absorb into the cake. Transfer it to a serving plate. Poke holes on the top of the cake using a wooden stick or the handle of a wooden spoon.(I used the handle of a honey dipper for smaller holes.)
16. Slowly pour the Earl Grey milk mixture on top of the cake. It is thin so it should absorb into the cake and the poked holes easily, but do be patient as it does.
17. Frost the top of the cake with a thick layer of lavender cream cheese frosting using an offset spatula. Then cut into 16 slices and serve!

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What Exactly is a London Fog (and Why Does it Make an Amazing London Fog Cake)?

Perhaps you’ve seen a “London Fog” on a cafe menu and wondered what delightful concoction it might be. I can tell you it’s a true gem! A traditional London Fog latte is a warm beverage made with Earl Grey tea, steamed milk, and a touch of vanilla. While its name might suggest otherwise, this delightful drink actually hails from Canada. It’s a wonderful alternative to coffee, offering a gentle caffeine boost alongside a deeply comforting flavor profile.

The warmth, creaminess, subtle floral notes, and overall sense of comfort from this beloved drink are perfectly translated into this delightful London Fog Cake. Imagine taking that first sip and turning it into a slice of pure bliss; that’s exactly what I’ve aimed for here.

Why You’ll Adore This Specific London Fog Cake Recipe

I truly believe this particular London Fog Cake recipe stands out, and I can’t wait for you to try it! Here are just a few reasons why I think you’ll adore it:

• The “Tres Leches-Style” Earl Grey Milk Soak: This cake is incredibly moist thanks to a special Earl Grey milk soak. It’s a technique inspired by tres leches cakes, ensuring every bite is infused with flavor and unparalleled tenderness.
• Perfect Balance of Earl Grey and Real Lavender: I’ve meticulously balanced the distinct flavor of Earl Grey with real culinary lavender, ensuring neither overpowers the other. You’ll taste both beautiful notes in the cake and the frosting.
• Luscious Lavender Cream Cheese Frosting: My dreamy lavender cream cheese frosting adds a perfect tangy and creamy counterpoint to the cake. It’s truly the crown jewel of this dessert.
• Elegant Yet Achievable: Despite its elegant appearance, I designed this recipe to be surprisingly easy. You’ll impress everyone with the results, and I promise you’ll find the process quite enjoyable.

The Heart of the Flavor: Earl Grey & Lavender in Your London Fog Cake

The magic of this London Fog Cake truly lies in its star ingredients: Earl Grey tea and culinary lavender. I want to share a little more about how they contribute to such a unique flavor profile.

Earl Grey Explained

Earl Grey tea is a black tea flavored with bergamot oil, which is a citrus fruit. This gives it a distinctive, slightly floral and bright citrusy note that I find absolutely captivating. For the best flavor in your cake, I always recommend using high-quality tea bags or loose-leaf tea. The better the tea, the more pronounced and delicious the bergamot flavor will be in your final London Fog Cake.

Embracing Lavender

Culinary lavender is a game-changer in this recipe. It brings a delicate, aromatic, and slightly sweet floral note that perfectly complements the Earl Grey. To prepare it, I pulse the lavender buds in a food processor until they are finely ground, then I pass them through a sieve.

This step is crucial because it ensures you get all the lovely flavor without any large bits that can sometimes lead to an overpowering or “soapy” taste. I use culinary lavender buds specifically, not extract, for the most authentic and subtle flavor.

Infusion Secrets

To get the most out of your Earl Grey and lavender, proper infusion is key. When steeping them in the milk for the cake soak, I gently heat the milk until it’s steaming, then add the tea and lavender and allow it to steep for a full 15 minutes. This ensures the flavors have ample time to release into the milk, creating a wonderfully aromatic and flavorful base for your London Fog Cake.

Achieving Perfection: Baking Tips for a Moist London Fog Cake

I want you to have the most delicious, soft, and fluffy London Fog Cake every time you bake it. Here are some of my top baking tips that will help you achieve perfection!

Room Temperature Ingredients are Key

This is a tip I tell everyone: room temperature ingredients truly make a difference. When butter, eggs, and buttermilk are at room temperature, they combine much more smoothly with the other ingredients, creating a beautifully emulsified and cohesive batter. This leads to a finer crumb and a more tender, moister cake.

The Art of Mixing

Proper mixing is crucial for cake success. I cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together on high speed until they are light and fluffy; this incorporates air, which helps with the cake’s texture. Once I add the dry ingredients, I mix only until just combined on low speed. Overmixing at this stage can develop the gluten in the flour too much, resulting in a tough cake.

Accurate Flour Measurement

I always recommend the “spoon and level” method for measuring flour. Instead of scooping directly from the bag, which can compact the flour and lead to using too much, I gently spoon the flour into my measuring cup and then level it off with a straight edge. This ensures you have the exact amount needed for a perfectly tender crumb.

Choosing Your Pan Wisely

The material of your baking pan can actually affect how your cake bakes. I suggest using a light metal baking pan for this recipe. Lighter pans help to prevent the edges from over-browning before the center is fully cooked, ensuring an evenly baked and beautifully golden London Fog Cake.

The Buttermilk Advantage

Buttermilk is one of my favorite ingredients for baking moist cakes! Its acidity reacts with the baking soda, creating a wonderfully tender crumb. It also helps to break down gluten, which further contributes to a softer, more delicate texture in your London Fog Cake. Don’t skip it if you can help it!

London Fog Cake Recipe

Get ready to bake a truly special treat! I’ve poured my heart into perfecting this London Fog Cake, and I know you’re going to love it.

Ingredients

For the Earl Grey & Lavender Cake:

• 3 tbsp (12 g) Earl Grey tea
• 1 tbsp (2 g) culinary lavender
• 2 1/4 cups (282 g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 10 tbsp (140 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups (300 g) granulated white sugar
• 3 eggs, at room temperature
• 1 tbsp vanilla bean paste
• 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk

For the Earl Grey Milk Soak:

• 1/2 cup (120 ml) whole milk
• 2 tbsp (8 g) Earl Grey tea
• 1/2 tbsp (1 g) culinary lavender
• 1/2 cup (150 g) sweetened condensed milk
• 1/2 tsp vanilla bean paste

For the Lavender Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 1 tbsp (2 g) culinary lavender
• 1 cup (224 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, cold
• 2 cups (260 g) powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla bean paste
• purple food coloring (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9 inch light metal baking pan and line it with parchment paper.
2. Add the Earl Grey tea and lavender to a food processor and pulse until finely ground. Pass through a sieve to separate any large bits.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, Earl Grey tea, lavender, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Then set aside the flour mixture.
4. Add the softened butter and granulated white sugar to a large bowl. Cream together for 2 minutes with an electric mixer on high speed.
5. Then add in the eggs and vanilla and mix on medium speed until pale in color and smooth, about 1 minute.
6. Add in the buttermilk and dry ingredients a little bit at a time, mixing on low speed until all is combined and the batter is smooth. Scrape the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula as necessary.
7. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake the cake for 38-44 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean from the center.
8. Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for 30 minutes, then pull up on the parchment paper to release it from the pan. Let the cake continue cooling on the cooling rack until completely cooled.
9. While the cake cools, work on the Earl Grey milk soak. Add the milk to a small sauce pan and heat over low heat until steaming, then add in the Earl Grey tea and lavender. Allow it to steep for 15 minutes, then remove from the heat. Pass the mixture through a sieve and allow the milk to cool.
10. Transfer the Earl Grey milk to a liquid measuring cup or something you can easily pour from. Mix in the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla. Set aside until ready to use.
11. Add the lavender to a food processor and pulse until finely ground. Pass through a sieve to separate any large bits.
12. Add the butter to a large mixing bowl and mix on high speed with an electric mixer until pale and fluffy, about 5 minutes.
13. Then add in the cream cheese and mix on high speed until fluffy, about 1 minute.
14. Sift in the powdered sugar, and add in the lavender and vanilla. Mix on low speed until combined, then on high speed for 1 minute until fluffy again. Add in purple food coloring and mix until combined.
15. When the cake is completely cooled, cut a very thin layer off the top of the cake using a sharp knife. This will make it easier for the Earl Grey milk to absorb into the cake. Transfer it to a serving plate. Poke holes on the top of the cake using a wooden stick or the handle of a wooden spoon.(I used the handle of a honey dipper for smaller holes.)
16. Slowly pour the Earl Grey milk mixture on top of the cake. It is thin so it should absorb into the cake and the poked holes easily, but do be patient as it does.
17. Frost the top of the cake with a thick layer of lavender cream cheese frosting using an offset spatula. Then cut into 16 slices and serve!

Crafting the Dreamy Lavender Cream Cheese Frosting

The lavender cream cheese frosting is truly the perfect finish for this London Fog Cake. It adds a beautiful tang and a velvety texture that balances the cake’s sweetness. I have a few secrets to share for achieving that smooth, fluffy consistency.

For the best cream cheese frosting, I always start with very cold cream cheese straight from the fridge. This helps it hold its shape and prevents it from becoming too soft too quickly. I also cream the softened butter on high speed until it’s pale and fluffy, about 5 minutes, before adding the cream cheese. This aeration step is key for a light frosting.

Finally, sifting the powdered sugar ensures there are no lumps, giving you a perfectly smooth and pipeable consistency. The finely ground culinary lavender I use infuses the frosting with its delicate aroma and flavor, making every bite extra special. And for a little visual flair, I sometimes add a touch of purple food coloring. It enhances the visual appeal and beautifully matches the lavender theme!

Make-Ahead, Storage, and Troubleshooting Your London Fog Cake

I know how important it is for recipes to fit into our busy lives, so I’ve put together some tips for making this London Fog Cake ahead of time, storing it, and even troubleshooting any hiccups you might encounter.

Make-Ahead Tips

You can definitely get a head start on this London Fog Cake! I often bake the cake layers a day in advance, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap once completely cooled, and store them at room temperature.

The Earl Grey milk soak can also be made a day ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The lavender cream cheese frosting can be prepared up to two days in advance and stored in the fridge. Just let it come to room temperature and give it a good whip before frosting. For another make-ahead option, you might like these no-bake protein bites.

Storage Best Practices

Once assembled, I store the London Fog Cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The milk soak keeps it wonderfully moist, so it actually tastes fantastic the next day! If you want to freeze the cake, I recommend freezing individual slices. Wrap each slice tightly in plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Dry Cake: If your cake seems dry, it might be due to overbaking or inaccurate flour measurement. Ensure you’re using the spoon and level method for flour and checking for doneness with a toothpick that comes out clean, not earlier. The milk soak in this recipe is also a great defense against dryness!
• Lumpy Frosting: This usually happens if the cream cheese isn’t cold enough or if the powdered sugar isn’t sifted. Make sure your cream cheese is very cold and always sift your powdered sugar for a silky-smooth finish.
• Cake Sinking in the Middle: This can be caused by opening the oven door too early, inaccurate oven temperature, or underbaking. Trust your oven thermometer and resist the urge to peek before the recommended baking time!

Creative Twists & Serving Suggestions for Your London Fog Cake

I love to encourage creativity in the kitchen, and this London Fog Cake is a fantastic canvas for your personal touches! Here are some ideas to inspire you.

Alternative Tea Explorations

While Earl Grey is classic, you could experiment with other black teas that have complementary flavors. A Lady Grey tea, which often includes orange and lemon peel in addition to bergamot, would add another layer of citrus. Or, consider a black tea blended with rose petals for an even more pronounced floral note alongside the lavender.

Cupcake Conversion

This recipe can easily be adapted for London Fog Cupcakes! Simply divide the batter among 16-18 cupcake liners. I typically bake cupcakes at 350°F (175°C) for about 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Once cooled, you can soak them with the Earl Grey milk and then frost them.

Decorating Ideas

Beyond the frosting, there are so many ways to adorn your London Fog Cake. I love to garnish with a sprinkle of finely ground Earl Grey tea or a few delicate, edible lavender buds. For an extra special touch, candied bergamot peel would be stunning and truly lean into the Earl Grey flavor. A simple drizzle of salted caramel can also add a delightful contrast. For other fun and easy dessert ideas, consider making golf theme rice krispie treats.

Perfect Pairings

Of course, the most obvious and delightful pairing for this London Fog Cake is a warm London Fog latte! It creates a wonderful full-circle experience. This elegant cake also pairs beautifully with a simple cup of black tea, coffee, or even a glass of sparkling wine for a special occasion. I think it’s perfect for afternoon tea, a birthday celebration, or for a celebratory gathering.

FAQs About London Fog Cake

I get a lot of wonderful questions from my readers, and I’m always happy to help clarify things so you feel confident in your kitchen! Here are some common questions about this London Fog Cake.

Embrace the Cozy Comfort of This London Fog Cake!

I truly hope you feel inspired to bake this magnificent London Fog Cake. It’s a recipe that brings me so much joy, transforming a beloved beverage into a truly unique and comforting dessert. The blend of Earl Grey and lavender creates a flavor profile that is both elegant and deeply satisfying, and I just know it will become a new favorite in your home.

There’s nothing quite like the warmth and satisfaction that comes from baking something special and sharing it with the people you love. So, I invite you to embrace the cozy comfort of this London Fog Cake! When you make it, please come back and leave a comment below with your baking experiences, any questions you might have, or even photos of your beautiful London Fog Cakes. I love hearing from you and seeing what you create!