Earl Grey Tea Cake Recipe
This Earl Grey Tea Cake is a fragrant and moist loaf infused with the zesty flavors of orange and lemon, enhanced by the distinctive aroma of strong Earl Grey tea. Perfect for afternoon tea or a delightful dessert, the cake is finished with a citrusy honey syrup glaze that soaks into the warm crumb for a sweet and tangy finish.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Ingredients
- 1 orange, zested
- 1 lemon, zested
- 1 cup hot, strong Earl Grey tea
- 2 medium eggs, lightly beaten
- 2 cups self-raising flour
- 1 cup brown sugar
- Butter, for greasing
Syrup Ingredients
- 3 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp honey
- ¼ cup hot water
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp orange juice
Instructions
- Infuse the Zests: In a large bowl, combine the zest of one orange and one lemon. Pour over one cup of hot, strong Earl Grey tea, cover the bowl, and let the mixture sit for at least 20 minutes to fully infuse the citrus flavors into the tea.
- Prepare the Batter: While you allow the zests to infuse, preheat your oven to 350°F (320°F if using a fan oven). Grease and line a 2lb loaf tin with butter and baking paper. Stir one cup of light brown sugar into the infused tea mixture. Then add the two beaten eggs and two cups of self-raising flour, mixing gently until you achieve a smooth batter. Pour this batter evenly into the prepared tin.
- Bake the Cake: Place the loaf tin in the preheated oven and bake for 1 hour and 30 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Once baked, allow the cake to cool in the tin for 15 minutes to set.
- Make the Syrup: While the cake is baking, prepare the syrup. In a small saucepan, combine three tablespoons of sugar, one tablespoon of honey, a quarter cup of hot water, two tablespoons of lemon juice, and two tablespoons of orange juice. Simmer gently until the sugar fully dissolves and the syrup is well combined.
- Glaze the Cake: When the cake is still warm, use a skewer or fork to poke holes all over the surface. Brush the warm syrup generously over the cake, allowing it to soak deeply into the holes. Transfer the cake to a wire rack and let it cool completely before slicing and serving to enjoy the full flavors and moist texture.
Notes
- Use strong, freshly brewed Earl Grey tea for the best flavor infusion.
- Make sure to let the cake cool completely after glazing for the syrup to fully absorb.
- This cake keeps well for up to 3 days when stored in an airtight container.
- To make this cake gluten-free, substitute the self-raising flour with a gluten-free self-raising blend.
- Adjust the syrup ingredients to taste for a more or less sweet glaze.
Keywords: Earl Grey tea cake, citrus tea cake, orange and lemon cake, afternoon tea dessert, moist tea cake, honey syrup glaze
Find it online: https://foodbylina.com/earl-grey-tea-cake-recipe/
