Yara's Oven Delighs: Whisking up Delights

There’s something incredibly calming about the aroma of Earl Grey tea and lavender—floral, citrusy, and delicately sweet. This Earl Grey Lavender Cake is a dreamy fusion of classic tea-time flavors, tender sponge, a fragrant milk soak, and a cloud-like lavender cream cheese frosting. Inspired by afternoon tea but elevated with mascarpone and buttermilk, it’s a showstopper perfect for birthdays, spring gatherings, or simply a cozy indulgence with a cup of tea.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 10 slices

🌿 Ingredients

For the Earl Grey Cake

• 2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 3 tbsp (12 g) Earl Grey tea
• 1 tbsp (2 g) culinary lavender
• 8 tbsp (110 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
• 3 eggs, room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk

For the Earl Grey Milk Soak

• 1 cup whole milk
• 2 tbsp Earl Grey tea
• ½ tbsp (1 g) culinary lavender
• ¼ cup (75 g) sweetened condensed milk

For the Lavender Cream Cheese Frosting

• 1 tbsp (2 g) culinary lavender
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 4 oz (110 g) mascarpone cream cheese
• 1 cup powdered sugar (130 g)
• Purple food coloring (optional)

🧁 Instructions

Make the Cake:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line 9-inch cake pan.
2. Grind the Earl Grey tea and lavender in a spice grinder or mortar and pestle.
3. In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and the tea-lavender blend.
4. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
5. Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla.
6. Add the flour mixture in three parts, alternating with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour.
7. Bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
8. Let cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks.

Prepare the Milk Soak:

1. In a saucepan, heat the milk, Earl Grey, and lavender until steaming.
2. Remove from heat.
3. Strain, then stir in condensed milk. Set aside.

Make the Frosting:

1. In a chilled bowl, whip mascarpone, lavender, powdered sugar.
2. Slowly add the the heavy cream, beating until fluffy peaks form.
3. Add purple food coloring if desired.

Assemble the Cake:

1. Poke holes in each cake layer with a skewer and brush with the milk soak.
2. Frost with lavender cream cheese frosting on top.
3. Garnish with dried lavender or edible flowers if desired. Chill before serving.

This Earl Grey Lavender Cake is a fragrant, elegant treat that brings the sophistication of high tea to your home kitchen. With its floral notes and creamy frosting, it’s an unforgettable dessert that’s as stunning as it is satisfying. Try it once, and it might just become your signature bake!

🌸 Nutrition Facts (Per Slice – based on 10 servings):

• Calories: 420
• Carbohydrates: 47 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Sugar: 33 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Sodium: 240 mg