Name: London Fog Cake
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Cuisine: British
Ingredients: 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar; 4 large eggs; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1 cup whole milk; 4 Earl Grey tea bags (for steeping in milk); 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (for buttercream); 3–3 1/2 cups powdered sugar (for buttercream); 3 tablespoons strong brewed Earl Grey tea, cooled (for buttercream); 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for buttercream); Pinch of salt (for buttercream); Optional: whipped cream, berry jam, or white chocolate ganache for filling/topping

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London Fog Cake is a dreamy dessert inspired by the classic Earl Grey tea latte. With layers of soft vanilla or Earl Grey–infused cake, a rich tea-kissed buttercream, and sometimes even a creamy ganache or jam filling, this cake brings comforting flavors and a hint of elegance to any occasion. I love serving it when I want something unique but familiar.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love how this cake captures everything I enjoy in a London Fog latte—the floral notes of Earl Grey, the warmth of vanilla, and a creamy sweetness that’s comforting and cozy. It’s a beautiful cake that feels fancy but is surprisingly simple to make. The flavor is delicate and not overly sweet, making it perfect for tea time, birthdays, or anytime I want to impress with a sophisticated twist on a classic layer cake.

ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the cake:
all-purpose flour
baking powder
salt
unsalted butter, softened
granulated sugar
eggs
vanilla extract
milk
Earl Grey tea bags (for steeping)

For the Earl Grey buttercream:
unsalted butter, softened
powdered sugar
strong brewed Earl Grey tea (cooled)
vanilla extract
a pinch of salt

Optional for filling or topping:
whipped cream, berry jam, or white chocolate ganache

directions

I preheat the oven to 350°F and grease and line two 8-inch round cake pans.
I warm the milk and steep the Earl Grey tea bags in it for about 10 minutes, then let it cool.
In a bowl, I whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
In another large bowl, I cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, then beat in the eggs one at a time and stir in the vanilla.
I alternate adding the dry ingredients and the steeped milk to the butter mixture, starting and ending with dry.
I divide the batter between the pans and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
While the cakes cool, I make the buttercream by beating the butter until creamy, then slowly adding powdered sugar, tea, vanilla, and a pinch of salt until smooth and fluffy.
Once the cakes are completely cool, I layer and frost them with the Earl Grey buttercream. I add jam, whipped cream, or ganache if I’m feeling fancy.
I chill the cake briefly to set the frosting before slicing.

Servings and timing

This cake serves about 10–12 people and takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes total—30 minutes for prep, 30 minutes to bake, and time to cool and frost.

Variations

I sometimes add lavender to the steeped milk for a floral twist, or swap in lemon zest for brightness. A layer of blackberry or blueberry jam makes a beautiful and flavorful filling. If I want a deeper tea flavor, I steep extra tea bags in the milk or grind loose leaf tea into the batter.

storage/reheating

I store the cake covered in the fridge for up to 4 days. I let it come to room temperature before serving so the buttercream softens. I also freeze individual slices by wrapping them tightly—they keep well for up to 2 months and thaw beautifully.

FAQs

What is a London Fog?

It’s a warm drink made with Earl Grey tea, steamed milk, and vanilla—this cake is inspired by those same comforting flavors.

Can I use loose leaf tea instead of tea bags?

Yes, I use about 1–2 teaspoons of loose leaf Earl Grey per bag and strain it after steeping in the milk.

Does the tea flavor come through strongly?

It’s subtle but noticeable. For a bolder taste, I steep more tea or add a teaspoon of finely ground Earl Grey leaves directly into the batter or frosting.

Can I make this cake ahead of time?

Yes, I bake and freeze the cake layers in advance, then thaw and frost them the day I plan to serve it.

What frosting works best if I don’t want buttercream?

A lightly sweetened whipped cream or a mascarpone frosting pairs beautifully with the tea and vanilla flavors.

Conclusion

London Fog Cake is a lovely, elegant dessert that brings the calming charm of an Earl Grey latte into every slice. With its soft crumb, fragrant tea notes, and smooth buttercream, it’s a cake I always enjoy sharing—and one that always makes an impression.

London Fog Cake