I love this cake! This single-layer Earl Grey lavender cake is full of rich earl grey flavor with hints of lavender, lemon, and buttermilk. Its topped with a glossy honey lemon icing, and best of all, its so easy to make!
*This post contains affiliate links — as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please see my disclosure for details*.
A recipe like this lavender Earl Grey cake sounds complicated — you might think you have to use fresh lavender flowers or infuse whole leaf tea. But it actually couldnt be simpler! Its actually a simple vanilla cake recipe, with tea leaves right in the batter to give it that distinctive Earl Grey flavor without any extra time!
This cake would be perfect for a casual dessert, a springtime tea party with friends. Maybe even for a low-key baby shower! The flavors are perfect and just make you think spring!
Hey there, fellow baking enthusiasts! If you’re on the hunt for a dessert that’s gonna wow everyone at your next gathering—or just elevate your afternoon tea game—then lemme introduce you to the Lavender Earl Grey Cake. This ain’t your average cake; it’s a flavor explosion that marries the citrusy zing of Earl Grey tea with the delicate, floral vibes of lavender. Trust me, it’s like a fancy tea party in every bite, and I’m pumped to walk you through why this cake is a total game-changer.
At our lil’ baking corner, we’re all about trying bold combos, and this cake? It’s the perfect mix of sophisticated and downright delicious. Whether you’re a tea lover or just wanna bake something that smells as good as it tastes, stick with me. I’m gonna break down what makes this cake so special, how to whip it up in your own kitchen, and toss in some tips to make sure it turns out amazing. Let’s get bakin’!
What’s So Special About Lavender Earl Grey Cake?
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let’s chat about what this cake actually is. Picture this a moist, tender sponge infused with the bold, bergamot-laced flavor of Earl Grey tea, paired with subtle hints of lavender that give it a flowery twist It’s not just a dessert; it’s an experience The bergamot in Earl Grey—that’s a fancy citrus fruit, by the way—brings a tangy, aromatic kick, while lavender adds a calming, floral note that fills your kitchen with the most heavenly scent while it bakes.
Why should you care? Well, for starters, it’s a total crowd-pleaser. This cake works for birthdays, bridal showers, or even just a cozy Sunday with a cuppa. Plus, it looks as pretty as it tastes, especially if you decorate it with a sprinkle of lavender buds or some artsy frosting designs. It’s a bit of a fancypants dessert, but don’t worry—I’ll keep the steps simple so even newbie bakers can nail it.
Here’s a quick rundown of why this cake rocks:
- Unique Flavor Combo: The citrusy tea and floral lavender create a taste you won’t find in your run-of-the-mill chocolate or vanilla cakes.
- Aroma Therapy: Baking this fills your home with a smell that’s straight-up magical.
- Versatile Vibes: Perfect for casual snacking or dressing up for a big event.
- Tea Lover’s Dream: If you’re into tea, this is like eating your favorite brew in cake form.
The Flavors: Breaking Down Earl Grey and Lavender
Let’s get into the heart of this cake—the flavors. If you ain’t familiar with Earl Grey, it’s a black tea jazzed up with bergamot oil, which comes from a citrus fruit. That gives it a rich, bold base with a zesty edge. I’m obsessed with how it cuts through sweetness, making every bite balanced. Then there’s lavender, but not just any kind—we’re talking culinary lavender here. This stuff is grown specifically for eating, with a milder, sweeter profile than the kind you’d find in potpourri or candles. It’s got a delicate floral taste that don’t overpower, just complements.
When you mix these two it’s like they were made for each other. The citrusy punch of the tea plays off the soft flowery lavender, creating a cake that’s both refreshing and indulgent. Some folks worry lavender might taste like soap, but trust me, when done right, it’s subtle and just adds a lil’ somethin’ special.
Let’s Bake: Your Step-by-Step Lavender Earl Grey Cake Recipe
Alright, enough chit-chat—let’s roll up our sleeves and make this beauty I’ve put together a recipe that’s a mix of easy and impressive, drawing from some killer ideas I’ve tried over the years. This version makes a single-layer cake, but I’ll toss in tips later for layering if you wanna go big Here’s what you’ll need and how to do it.
Ingredients for the Cake
I’m keeping this straightforward with stuff you likely got in your pantry or can grab easy. This makes enough for an 8-inch square or round pan, serving about 10 peeps.
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Eggs | 3 large | Room temp, please! |
| Butter | ½ cup (125 g) | Unsalted, softened—not melted. |
| Brown Sugar | ¾ cup (140 g) | Adds a lil’ caramel depth. |
| All-Purpose Flour | 1 ¼ cups (160 g) | Sifted for lightness. |
| Baking Powder | 1 ½ tsp (6 g) | For that nice rise. |
| Baking Soda | ¾ tsp (3 g) | Works with the powder for texture. |
| Earl Grey Tea | 2 tbsp (or 4 bags) | Loose leaf or bag contents, finely ground if possible. |
| Culinary Lavender Buds | 2 tsp | Make sure it’s food-grade! |
Ingredients for the Frosting
We’re going with a simple lemon-lavender frosting to keep the floral theme going. If you want somethin’ fancier, I’ll chat about options later.
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Powdered Sugar | 100 g | Sifted to avoid lumps. |
| Lemon Juice | From ½ a lemon | Fresh squeezed for zing. |
| Culinary Lavender Buds | 1 tsp | Ground fine for smooth mixin’. |
Equipment You’ll Need
- 8-inch cake pan (square or round, your call)
- Mixing bowls and a whisk or stand mixer
- Spatula for smoothing batter
- Wire rack for cooling
- Food processor or mortar and pestle (for grinding lavender)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Crank your oven to 160°C (320°F). Line your cake pan with baking paper or grease it good with butter. We don’t want no sticking disasters.
- Mix the Wet Stuff: In a big bowl or stand mixer, beat the butter and brown sugar ‘til it’s light and fluffy. Takes about 2-3 minutes. Add them eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Should look creamy and smooth.
- Combine the Dry Stuff: In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, Earl Grey tea (if using bags, snip ‘em open and dump the contents), and lavender buds. Make sure it’s all mixed up nice.
- Bring It Together: Slowly add the dry mix to the wet mix, stirring gentle ‘til it’s just combined. Don’t overmix, or you’ll get a tough cake—and nobody wants that.
- Bake It Up: Pour the batter into your prepped pan, smooth the top with a spatula, and pop it in the oven. Bake for 30-40 minutes. Check with a skewer or toothpick—if it comes out clean, you’re golden. Let it cool in the pan for a couple minutes, then move it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make the Frosting: While the cake cools, grind your lavender buds real fine. Mix ‘em with the powdered sugar in a small bowl. Squeeze in the lemon juice and stir. Let it sit for 10 minutes to let the flavors get cozy. Taste it—if it’s too tart, add more sugar; if too sweet, more lemon. Spread it over the cooled cake with a spatula, and sprinkle a few extra lavender buds on top for looks.
- Serve and Enjoy: Slice it up and dig in! Pair it with a cup of Earl Grey for the full experience.
Tips to Make Your Cake a Total Showstopper
I’ve baked this a buncha times, and lemme tell ya, a few lil’ tricks can take it from good to great. Here’s my go-to advice:
- Don’t Overmix: I said it before, but seriously, mix just ‘til combined. Overdoing it makes the cake dense instead of fluffy.
- Room Temp Everything: Butter, eggs—let ‘em sit out a bit before starting. They blend better that way.
- Quality Matters: Use good culinary lavender, not the stuff for crafts. It’s gotta be food-safe and mild. Same with Earl Grey—pick a brand you’d actually drink.
- Test Your Oven: Ovens can be sneaky. If yours runs hot, check the cake a few minutes early. Burnt cake ain’t no fun.
- Cool Completely: Don’t frost a warm cake, or you’ll get a melty mess. Patience, my friend.
Variations to Switch Things Up
Wanna get creative? This cake is super adaptable. Here’s a few ideas I’ve played with:
- Layered Loveliness: Double the recipe and bake two or three layers. Stack ‘em with frosting between for a taller, more dramatic look. Perfect for celebrations.
- Buttercream Bliss: Skip the simple frosting and make a rich buttercream with lavender and Earl Grey infused into it. Whip softened butter with powdered sugar and a splash of steeped tea milk for extra flavor.
- Syrup Soak: Make a lavender syrup by boiling sugar, water, and lavender buds. Brush it on the cake layers while warm for extra moistness and flavor.
- Vanilla Vibes: Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the batter for a classic twist that plays nice with the other flavors.
Storing Your Lavender Earl Grey Cake
Made too much? No worries, this cake keeps pretty well. Here’s how to store it:
- Room Temp: It’ll stay good for a couple days on the counter, covered with a cake dome or plastic wrap.
- Fridge: Pop it in the fridge for up to 5 days if you wanna keep it longer. Just let it come to room temp before eating for the best texture.
- Freezer: Wanna save it for later? Cool it completely, slice it up, wrap each piece in plastic wrap, and stash in an airtight container. Freezes for up to a month. Thaw in the fridge overnight when you’re ready to munch.
Why You’re Gonna Love Baking This Cake
I ain’t just hyping this up for no reason. Every time I bake this Lavender Earl Grey Cake, it’s a hit. There’s somethin’ bout the way the flavors dance together that just feels special. It’s like a lil’ escape—sippin’ tea and eatin’ cake on a rainy day, or servin’ it at a party and watchin’ folks’ faces light up when they taste it. Plus, the smell while it’s in the oven? Pure heaven.
If you’re a bit nervous about baking with lavender, don’t sweat it. Start small, use the right kind, and you’ll see it’s not weird at all—just wonderful. And hey, if you’re a tea fanatic like me, this is your chance to turn that love into dessert form.
Pairing Ideas for the Ultimate Treat
Wanna take this cake to the next level? Pair it with somethin’ that matches its vibe. A hot cup of Earl Grey tea is the obvious choice—maybe with a splash of milk to echo the cake’s richness. If you’re feelin’ extra, a lavender-infused latte could be a dope match. For a party, serve it with some fresh berries on the side; their tartness cuts through the sweetness real nice.
Wrapping It Up: Bake, Share, and Savor
So, there ya have it—everything you need to know about makin’ a Lavender Earl Grey Cake that’ll steal the show. I’ve poured my heart into this recipe, tweakn’ it ‘til it’s just right, and I can’t wait for you to try it. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just cuz you deserve a treat, this cake’s got your back.
Got a story about baking this or a twist you added? Drop a comment below—I’m all ears! And if you share pics on social media, tag us so we can see your masterpiece. Let’s keep the baking love goin’. Now, go preheat that oven and make some magic happen. You got this!
What does Earl Grey taste like?
This lavender Earl Grey cake is made with Earl Grey tea, which is a black tea flavored with bergamot, a type of citrus fruit. If youre not already a die-hard Earl Grey fan like me, you will be. Its DELICIOUS. Its a very distinctive flavor, and a delicious variation on a standard black tea. Plus, the citrus and tea flavors together work very well in baked goods, ranging from cakes and cookies to ice cream!
For this cake, I used the type of Earl Grey that I buy to drink, which is Revolution Earl Grey Lavender Black Tea (affiliate link). It has the bright, citrusy flavor of bergamot, along with the soothing scent of lavender. I love the blend of a classic flavor with slight floral note! So I knew that it would be perfect in this easy Earl Grey lavender cake. But if you have another type of tea you prefer, Im sure it would complement these flavors well! If you do try a different tea, share that in the comments so we can try it out!
To give this Earl Grey lavender cake its tea flavor, youll just need to open your tea bags and stir the leaves into the batter. The smaller the tea leaves are the better, so if need be you can chop them a little before adding them.
- eggs – your eggs should be room temperature to achieve the best fluffy texture in this lavender Earl Grey cake.
- granulated sugar – adds a light sweetness to your cake batter.
- vanilla extract – definitely look for a high-quality vanilla extract for the best flavor.
- vegetable oil – using oil instead of butter in this cake keeps the baking process easy and keeps our cake moist!
- buttermilk – adds even more of that moist texture and tangy flavor.
- all-purpose flour – be sure that you measure out your flour using either the spoon-and-level method or (even better) a food scale to measure by weight. Both will help you get the right amount of flour, but using a food scale to measure out 160 grams.
- baking powder and baking soda – these help to give our cake a lift!
- lavender Earl Grey tea – I use Revolution Earl Grey Lavender Black Tea for this recipe, but you can use any Earl Grey you prefer and add in a half teaspoon of lavender extract.
- salt – balances out the sweetness the batter.
- zest of one lemon – for delicious citrus flavor. And for more lemony goodness, check out my collection of recipes with lemon curd and my Lemon Blueberry Mascarpone Cake!
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 cups powdered sugar – (240g)
- 2-4 tbsp fresh lemon juice – or as much as you need to get the right consistency
Youll need an 8-inch cake pan for this Earl Grey lavender cake recipe, but otherwise its a simple bowl-and-whisk cake recipe!
Turn on your JavaScript to view content
This cake is so easy! Its a one bowl recipe that you can whisk together in just a few minutes!
- First, youll mix together your wet ingredients: Eggs, sugar, and vanilla, followed by the oil and buttermilk.
- Then just fold in your dry ingredients: Flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and tea leaves.
- Then just pour it into your pan and bake!
Its that simple! And its a single layer cake, which is my favorite type of easy cake to whip up for a casual occasion. So go ahead and get baking!
Not traditionally — Earl Grey is a black tea that has been flavored with citrusy flavor of the oil of bergamot. But many variations on Earl Grey have included lavender, and the lavender variation is often called French Earl Grey tea.
Just like in this cake, my favorite accompaniments for Earl Grey are lavender, vanilla, honey, and lemon. Other great flavors to go with Earl Grey are blackberry, chocolate and cardamom.
One of the most popular ways is to infuse the tea into warm milk prior to baking. That method allows for a variable tea flavor without affecting the look and texture of your bake. In this Earl Grey lavender cake, were baking the tea leaves right into the cake! I love this method because its much easier, and it means you can see the bits of tea leaves right in the crumb of the cake.
It depends! Most tea bags contain between 30 and 50 mg of caffeine, depending on the amount of tea in each bag and the variety of tea used. Since were using three bags of tea in this Earl Grey lavender cake, Id estimate about 150 mg of caffeine in the entire cake.
If you like this easy Earl Grey lavender cake, then you definitely will want to try another quick and easy single-layer cake recipe, my Pineapple Upside-Down Cake! Its full of that caramelized pineapple flavor and its SO quick and easy!
You also might like my Orange Rosemary Olive Oil Cake — like this lavender Earl Grey cake, its got bright, citrus flavors, and its made in the same 8-inch cake pan! So easy! And serious lemon lovers will adore my Lemon Bars with Graham Cracker Crust!
Lavender Earl Grey Cake Recipe | Foodsguy
FAQ
Do Earl Grey and lavender go together?
The tradition of adding lavender to Earl Grey goes back to the era European tea salons from the 17th century. With its soothing perfume and smooth taste, this exquisite blend makes a perfect pairing with freshly baked scones or cakes for an authentic afternoon tea.
What does a lavender cake taste like?
What does lavender cake taste like? Lavender cake tastes like lavender smells. The key is to not use too much lavender flavor as it can become overpowering.Jun 7, 2020
What does lavender Earl Grey tea taste like?
Delicate and aromatic, our Lavender Earl Grey tastes like a breezy afternoon in a field of wildflowers. Each infusion is full of citrusy bergamot flavor and light floral notes. Black tea gives it a crisp edge, and a spot of milk will complete your cup.
Does Teavana Earl Grey have lavender?
Earl Grey Crème is a classic black tea blend elevated by bergamot citrus, fragrant lavender and notes of creamy vanilla inspired by the much adored ‘London fog.