Steeped Earl Grey Tea Cake with Lemon Glaze
A moist British tea cake infused with aromatic Earl Grey tea and finished with a bright lemon glaze. This british-inspired desserts ready in about 55 minutes layers all-purpose flour, teaspoon baking powder, (1 stick), softened unsalted butter into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 8, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 cup (1 stick), softened unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 Earl Grey tea bags
- 1/2 cup boiling water
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch round cake pan with parchment paper and grease the sides lightly with butter.
- Step 2: Steep 2 Earl Grey tea bags in 1/2 cup boiling water for 5 minutes, then remove bags and let the tea cool to room temperature.
- Step 3: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour and 1 teaspoon baking powder.
- Step 4: In a large bowl, beat 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter with 1 cup granulated sugar until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add 2 large eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Step 5: Gradually add the flour mixture alternately with 1/4 cup whole milk and 1/2 cup cooled Earl Grey tea, starting and ending with flour. Fold in 1 tablespoon lemon zest gently.
- Step 6: Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 35-40 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack.
- Step 7: Whisk 3/4 cup powdered sugar with 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled cake and allow glaze to set before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Steeped Earl Grey Tea Cake with Lemon Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (15 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Steeped Earl Grey Tea Cake with Lemon Glaze?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Steeped Earl Grey Tea Cake with Lemon Glaze?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Steeped Earl Grey Tea Cake with Lemon Glaze for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Steeped Earl Grey Tea Cake with Lemon Glaze?
British desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
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