Delicate Earl Grey Lavender Cake with Honey Lemon Glaze: An Easy Single-Layer Recipe

Prepare to fall in love with this exquisite single-layer Earl Grey lavender cake! It’s an absolute dream, packed with the sophisticated, rich flavor of Earl Grey tea, beautifully complemented by delicate hints of lavender, bright lemon, and the subtle tang of buttermilk. Crowned with a shimmering honey lemon icing, this cake isn’t just incredibly delicious, it’s also remarkably easy to bake, making it a perfect treat for any occasion.

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While this Earl Grey lavender cake is perfect on its own, for an extra burst of fruity goodness, consider topping it with my delightful Blueberry Cake Filling! It complements the floral and citrus notes beautifully.

A sophisticated dessert like this lavender Earl Grey cake might sound daunting, conjuring images of intricate infusions with fresh lavender flowers or lengthy steeping of whole leaf tea. However, I’m thrilled to tell you it couldn’t be simpler! This recipe builds on a classic vanilla cake foundation, achieving its distinctive Earl Grey flavor by incorporating tea leaves directly into the batter. This ingenious method eliminates any extra prep time, ensuring a truly effortless baking experience without compromising on flavor.

With its light, aromatic profile, this cake is truly versatile. It’s the quintessential choice for a casual afternoon dessert, a charming springtime tea party with friends, or even a relaxed baby shower. The combination of delicate lavender, invigorating Earl Grey, and bright lemon notes evokes the feeling of spring, making every bite a refreshing delight. Its elegant yet approachable nature means it will impress your guests while being incredibly stress-free for you to prepare.

Understanding the Enchanting Flavor of Earl Grey

This delightful lavender Earl Grey cake harnesses the unique taste of Earl Grey tea, a beloved black tea infused with bergamot. Bergamot is a distinct citrus fruit, primarily grown in Southern Italy, known for its fragrant, slightly tart, and floral notes. If you’re not already a devoted Earl Grey enthusiast, this cake will undoubtedly convert you! Its flavor is truly distinctive and offers a delicious, aromatic variation from standard black teas. The harmonious blend of citrusy bergamot and robust black tea works wonders in a variety of baked goods, from cakes and cookies to even creamy ice cream. The inclusion of lavender in this specific recipe elevates the flavor profile even further, adding a soothing, delicate floral dimension that perfectly balances the tea’s natural zest.

For this particular Earl Grey lavender cake, I opted for my favorite drinking tea: Revolution Earl Grey Lavender Black Tea (affiliate link). This blend masterfully combines the bright, invigorating citrus notes of bergamot with the calming, aromatic essence of lavender. I adore how it takes a classic tea flavor and introduces a subtle, elegant floral touch. It was an obvious choice, destined to be perfect for this easy Earl Grey lavender cake. However, don’t feel limited! If you have another preferred Earl Grey tea blend, whether it’s a pure bergamot or another floral variation, I encourage you to use it. I’m confident it will beautifully complement these flavors. If you experiment with a different tea, please share your experience in the comments section below – I’d love to hear about new combinations and try them out!

To infuse this Earl Grey lavender cake with its signature tea flavor, the process is incredibly straightforward. Simply open your chosen tea bags and gently stir the finely crushed tea leaves directly into the cake batter. The finer the tea leaves, the more evenly distributed the flavor will be and the better the texture of your cake will be. If your tea leaves are a bit coarse, a quick chop with a knife or a few pulses in a spice grinder will do the trick before adding them to the batter. This direct infusion method ensures that every bite is packed with that authentic, aromatic tea essence.

Key Ingredients for Your Earl Grey Lavender Cake

Crafting a truly exceptional Earl Grey lavender cake begins with understanding the role each ingredient plays. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why:

• Eggs – For the ultimate fluffy texture in this lavender Earl Grey cake, it’s crucial that your eggs are at room temperature. This allows them to emulsify more effectively with other ingredients, creating a smoother batter and a lighter crumb.
• Granulated Sugar – This provides the foundational sweetness to your cake batter, ensuring a perfectly balanced flavor without being overly rich. It also contributes to the cake’s tender texture and golden crust.
• Vanilla Extract – Often overlooked, high-quality vanilla extract is a game-changer. For the best, most aromatic flavor that truly shines through, always opt for a pure vanilla extract. It enhances all the other flavors in the cake.
• Vegetable Oil – Using a neutral-flavored oil like vegetable oil instead of butter is a secret weapon in this recipe. It not only simplifies the baking process but also guarantees an incredibly moist cake that stays fresh longer.
• Buttermilk – This ingredient is essential for achieving that wonderfully moist texture and adding a subtle, tangy depth of flavor that complements the Earl Grey and lavender beautifully. If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, see my notes section for an easy homemade substitute.
• All-Purpose Flour – Precise measurement of flour is critical for cake success. To avoid a dense or dry cake, ensure you measure using either the spoon-and-level method or, even better, a food scale for accurate weight measurement (aim for 160 grams).
• Baking Powder and Baking Soda – These leavening agents work in harmony to give our cake its perfect rise and airy structure, resulting in a beautifully light and tender crumb.
• Lavender Earl Grey Tea – As mentioned, I personally prefer Revolution Earl Grey Lavender Black Tea for its balanced blend. However, feel free to use any Earl Grey tea you enjoy. If your chosen tea doesn’t contain lavender, you can easily add a half teaspoon of lavender extract or fine culinary lavender buds for that delicate floral note.
• Salt – A small amount of salt is vital for balancing out the sweetness in the batter and enhancing all the other flavors, making them pop.

For the Irresistible Honey-Lemon Glaze

No Earl Grey lavender cake is complete without a perfect topping! This simple yet vibrant glaze adds a burst of citrusy sweetness:

• Zest of one lemon – This provides a powerful, fresh citrus aroma and flavor that brightens the entire cake. For more lemony deliciousness, explore my collection of recipes with lemon curd or try my refreshing Lemon Blueberry Mascarpone Cake!
• 2 tbsp honey – Adds natural sweetness and a lovely sheen to the glaze, complementing the floral tea notes.
• 2 cups powdered sugar – (240g) Forms the body of the glaze, ensuring a smooth and pourable consistency.
• 2-4 tbsp fresh lemon juice – Adjust as needed to achieve your desired glaze consistency – thick enough to coat but still pourable.

Essential Equipment for Your Baking Journey

One of the many joys of this Earl Grey lavender cake recipe is its simplicity, requiring minimal specialized equipment. Beyond a standard 8-inch cake pan – which is perfect for achieving that elegant single-layer presentation – this truly is a simple bowl-and-whisk cake recipe! You won’t need any fancy stand mixers or elaborate gadgets, making it accessible even for novice bakers. Just a few basic kitchen tools will get you from ingredients to a beautifully baked cake with ease.

Effortless Step-by-Step Baking Guide

You’ll be amazed at how incredibly simple this Earl Grey lavender cake is to prepare! It’s truly a one-bowl wonder that you can whisk together in a matter of minutes, making it ideal for busy bakers or spontaneous cravings.

1. Combine Wet Ingredients: Begin by whisking together your room temperature eggs, granulated sugar, and pure vanilla extract in a large bowl until the mixture is light, thickened, and smooth. Then, incorporate the vegetable oil and buttermilk, mixing until everything is well blended and uniform.
2. Fold in Dry Ingredients: Into the same bowl, gently fold in your sifted dry ingredients: all-purpose flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and most importantly, your crushed Earl Grey lavender tea leaves. Mix just until no streaks of flour remain; be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to a tough cake.
3. Bake to Perfection: Pour the beautifully aromatic batter into your prepared 8-inch cake pan. Lightly tap the pan on your counter a couple of times from a low height to release any trapped air bubbles, ensuring an even bake. Then, simply pop it into the oven and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

It’s genuinely that straightforward! And because it’s a single layer cake, there’s no need for complicated stacking or frosting, which is precisely why it’s my absolute favorite kind of easy cake to whip up for a casual gathering or a quiet afternoon treat. So go ahead, gather your ingredients, and get baking – pure delight awaits!

Tips and Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.)

To ensure your Earl Grey lavender cake turns out perfect every time, and to answer some common queries, here are some helpful tips and FAQs:

Explore More Delightful Recipes

If you’ve enjoyed the simplicity and unique flavors of this easy Earl Grey lavender cake, then you’ll undoubtedly appreciate these other quick and delightful single-layer cake recipes and citrus-infused treats from my kitchen:

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