I’ve always loved tea-infused bakes for their subtle complexity. This Earl Grey Tea Cake is soft and aromatic, ideal for afternoon tea or elegant gifting. A whisper of lavender in the icing elevates it to something truly special.

Cake Ingredients

• 1 cup milk

• 3 Earl Grey tea bags

• 1¾ cups all‑purpose flour

• 1 tsp baking powder

• ½ tsp salt

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened

• ¾ cup sugar

• 2 eggs

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Lavender Icing

• 1 cup powdered sugar

• 1–2 Tbsp milk

• ¼ tsp dried culinary lavender, finely crushed

Instructions

1. Steep Tea: Heat milk until steaming. Steep tea bags for 15 minutes. Cool completely.

2. Prep Oven: Preheat to 350°F. Butter and line a loaf pan.

3. Mix Cake: Beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla. Mix flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl. Add alternately with tea-infused milk until batter is smooth.

4. Bake: Pour into loaf pan. Bake for 45–50 minutes. Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a rack.

5. Lavender Icing: Stir icing ingredients until smooth and pourable. Drizzle over cooled cake.

This cake feels like a quiet afternoon in the English countryside. It’s fragrant, floral, and not too sweet—just perfect.