London Fog Cake – An Elegant Earl Grey Vanilla Dessert

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London Fog Cake is the dessert version of the beloved café drink: refined, comforting, and quietly luxurious. Inspired by the classic London Fog latte — made with Earl Grey tea, steamed milk, and vanilla — this cake transforms those flavors into a soft, fragrant layer cake that feels right at home in an elegant tea room or a cozy kitchen.

This cake is all about balance. The Earl Grey tea adds gentle floral and citrus notes from bergamot, while vanilla brings warmth and sweetness without overpowering the tea. The crumb is tender and moist, the frosting silky and light, and the overall flavor sophisticated rather than sugary.

If you’re looking for a cake that feels grown-up, timeless, and a little unexpected, London Fog Cake is exactly that. It’s perfect for afternoon tea, bridal showers, spring gatherings, birthdays for tea lovers, or anytime you want a dessert that feels special without being fussy.

What Makes London Fog Cake So Special

Unlike bold chocolate or fruit-forward cakes, London Fog Cake is subtle and aromatic. Its beauty lies in its restraint.

  • Infused with real Earl Grey tea
  • Light vanilla sweetness with floral depth
  • Soft, tender crumb
  • Perfectly paired with tea or coffee
  • Elegant without being complicated

Using brewed Earl Grey tea instead of artificial flavoring gives the cake authenticity and complexity. The aroma alone — warm vanilla mixed with citrusy bergamot — makes this cake unforgettable.

Ingredients

Earl Grey Cake Layers

  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking powder
  • Baking soda
  • Salt
  • Unsalted butter, softened
  • Granulated sugar
  • Eggs
  • Vanilla extract
  • Whole milk
  • Earl Grey tea bags

Vanilla Bean Buttercream

  • Unsalted butter, softened
  • Powdered sugar
  • Vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
  • Heavy cream or milk
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Infuse the Milk with Tea
    Heat milk until steaming but not boiling. Add Earl Grey tea bags, cover, and steep for 10 minutes. Remove tea bags and let milk cool completely.
  2. Prepare the Oven and Pans
    Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
  3. Mix Dry Ingredients
    In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  4. Cream Butter and Sugar
    Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3–4 minutes.
  5. Add Eggs and Vanilla
    Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
  6. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
    Alternate adding dry ingredients and cooled Earl Grey milk, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix just until combined.
  7. Bake the Cake
    Divide batter evenly between pans. Bake 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool completely.
  8. Make the Buttercream
    Beat butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla, salt, and cream until light and fluffy.
  9. Assemble the Cake
    Frost one cake layer, add the second layer, and frost the top and sides. Smooth or swirl decoratively.
  10. Chill and Serve
    Chill for 20–30 minutes before slicing for clean layers.

London Fog Cake

A soft, elegant layer cake infused with Earl Grey tea and finished with creamy vanilla buttercream, inspired by the classic London Fog latte.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 12 slices
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American, British
Calories: 410

Ingredients
  

Cake Layers
  • 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 0.5 tsp baking soda
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.75 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1.5 cups granulated sugar
  • 3 eggs large
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup whole milk infused with Earl Grey
  • 4 Earl Grey tea bags
Vanilla Buttercream
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tbsp vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
  • 2-3 tbsp heavy cream or milk
  • 1 pinch salt

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Round cake pans
  • Hand mixer or stand mixer
  • Wire rack

Method
 

  1. Heat milk and steep Earl Grey tea bags for 10 minutes. Cool completely.
  2. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare cake pans.
  3. Whisk dry ingredients together in a bowl.
  4. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla.
  5. Alternate adding dry ingredients and tea-infused milk.
  6. Bake 25–30 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.
  7. Prepare buttercream and frost cooled cake layers.

Notes

Use high-quality Earl Grey tea for the most aromatic flavor.

Tips for the Best Earl Grey Cake

  • Use high-quality Earl Grey tea for the best flavor
  • Cool the infused milk fully before mixing
  • Do not overmix to keep the crumb tender
  • Vanilla bean paste enhances the café-style flavor

Variations

  • Lavender London Fog Cake: Add a hint of culinary lavender to the milk
  • Lemon Earl Grey Cake: Add lemon zest to the batter
  • Cupcakes: Bake as cupcakes for tea parties
  • Layered with Lemon Curd: Add a thin layer for brightness

Serving Suggestions

  • Serve with hot Earl Grey or English breakfast tea
  • Garnish with dried citrus slices or edible flowers
  • Perfect for afternoon tea, showers, and spring events

Storage & Make-Ahead Tips

  • Store covered at room temperature for 1 day
  • Refrigerate up to 4 days
  • Cake layers freeze well up to 2 months

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