The Unlikely Baker

Easy and Delicious Recipes for the Home Baker!

London Fog Cake with Earl Grey Buttercream

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The London fog cake is inspired by the London fog – an Earl Grey tea latte made with steamed milk and vanilla. The cake version is divine – layers of rich, moist, chocolate cake covered with luxurious Earl Grey Swiss meringue buttercream then topped with decadent salted caramel sauce. The components work perfectly together for one amazing cake.

London Fog Cake

I’m ridiculously lucky at promos and giveaways. I win at company lucky draws, I win small amounts in the lottery (I’m really just waiting for my jackpot prize to come around), I’ve even won a consolation prize at the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation’s annual sweepstakes.

Layered: Baking, Building & Styling Spectacular Cakes

But my favourite so far is winning Coco Cake Land’s giveaway for Tessa Huff’s cookbook, Layered. I love baking cakes and this book is all about them.

London Fog Cake

There are a lot of tips on how to bake them successfully and how to make them pretty. The pictures are phenomenal and though they intimidated me at first, Tessa’s tips and instructions boosted my confidence – that even a beginner baker like me can create showstopper cakes too.

London Fog Cake

Enter Red. Her birthday was coming up and I promised that I’d bake her a birthday cake. I went further and said she can go ahead and pick any cake from Layered (who is this person I’ve become?). So she did and picked the London Fog Cake. Ok then. Challenge accepted.

Armed with Layered and my newfound confidence, I proceeded to make one of the most amazing cakes I’ve ever made and tasted in my life.

Chocolate cake

The London fog cake is at its heart a chocolate layer cake. And the chocolate cake is great on its own. Soft, moist and bursting with chocolate flavour – the way all chocolate cakes should be. I’m definitely going to use this as a base for all chocolate layer cakes from now on.

London Fog Cake

Earl Grey Swiss meringue buttercream

The star of the show is the Earl Grey buttercream though. I always wondered how people cooked or baked with tea…now I know. And the Earl Grey butter incorporated into the silky Swiss meringue buttercream results to a flavour so unique, so complex, so brilliant that you wonder why you never thought to do it before.

London Fog Cake

Salted caramel sauce

What completes this sophisticated trifecta of flavours is the salted caramel sauce. There’s a salted caramel sauce recipe provided in the book but I made a rookie mistake – I forgot to buy one key ingredient – so I went with my go-to salted caramel sauce recipe instead. It still worked but I will definitely try the one in the book the next time I bake this cake. And there will definitely be a next time.

London Fog Cake

 The London Fog Cake

Because I couldn’t be happier with the end result. Not only does the cake look pretty (despite my sad pitiful heartbreaking less-than-ideal decorating skills), it tasted fantastic. Imagine your favourite chocolate cake getting superpowers. That’s what this cake is like. Best of all, my birthday celebrant was over the moon.

London Fog Cake

Baking this successfully the first time feels a lot like winning. I couldn’t believe it either but yes, it only took me one try. Me! So I cannot wait to try the other recipes in the book.

Go ahead and try this one. It is very good and seriously, if I can do it, anybody can.

(And happy birthday Red! Thanks for everything xoxo)

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London Fog Cake with Earl Grey Buttercream

London Fog Cake

The London fog cake is a chocolate layer cake frosted with luxurious Earl Grey buttercream and topped with salted caramel sauce. It is divine.

Ingredients

    For the Chocolate Cake:
  • 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 cup unsweetened, natural cocoa powder
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons canola oil (or any other neutral oil)
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 large egg yolk, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
  • 1 1/2 cups milk, room temperature
  • 1 cup strong-brewed coffee, hot
    For the Earl Grey Buttercream:
  • 2 cups unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1/4 cup loose Earl Grey tea
  • 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons egg white, room temperature
  • 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste
    For the Salted Caramel Sauce:
  • You can use this recipe or your own.

Instructions

    For the Chocolate Cake:
  1. Preheat oven to 350F. Grease and flour the bottom and sides of 3 8-inch baking pans. For good measure, I also always line the bottom with parchment paper but you don't have to. Set aside.
  2. Sift 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour, 1 cup cocoa powder, 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder, 3/4 teaspoon baking soda and 1 teaspoon salt. Set aside.
  3. Using an electric hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons oil and 2 cups sugar on medium speed for 2 minutes. With the mixer still running, add the 2 eggs, the egg yolk, 2 teaspoons vanilla and 1/2 teaspoon almond extract. Remember to scrape the bottom and sides of your bowl.
  4. Switch to low speed and add a third of your flour mixture then half of your milk. Add the next third of your flour, the rest of your milk and the last of your flour. Make sure each addition is incorporated well. Again remember to scrape for rouge batter.
  5. Still on low speed, gradually drizzle in the coffee (be careful, it will splatter). Mix on low-medium speed speed for no more than 30 seconds or until combined.
  6. Evenly divide the batter into your 3 pans and bake for 23-27 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the cakes comes out clean or with minimal crumbs.
  7. Cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes then remove cakes from pans and cool on rack completely.
    For the Earl Grey Buttercream:
  1. In a medium saucepan, place 1 cup butter and 1/4 cup Earl Grey tea and cook on medium heat until the butter melts. Switch to low heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and let the tea steep for another 5.
  2. Strain the butter through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl and refrigerate until the butter becomes solid again but only until the consistency of softened butter.
  3. In the meantime, put 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons egg whites and 1 1/4 cups sugar in the bowl of your stand mixer. Using your stand mixer's whisk attachment, manually whisk the mixture until combined. Place the bowl over a saucepan filled with a few inches of simmering water (make sure the water doesn't touch the bottom of the bowl) and whisk until the mixture reaches 160F (if you don't have a candy thermometer, you can check for doneness by rubbing the mixture between your fingers. If the sugar is fully dissolved and the mixture is smooth, it's ready).
  4. Attach the bowl onto your stand mixer and whisk on medium-high speed until you reach medium-stiff peaks (about 8-10 minutes). At this point, when you touch the bowl it should not be hot anymore (should feel more like room temperature).
  5. Switch to the paddle attachment and on low speed add the 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste. Also proceed to add your tea butter and the rest of your butter a couple of tablespoons at a time until the mixture is well combined and incorporated.
  6. Switch to medium-high speed again and beat the buttercream until smooth, glossy and creamy (about 3-5 minutes).
    For the Salted Caramel Sauce:
  1. See this salted caramel sauce recipe
    Assembly:
  1. Trim the tops of your cakes to make them level and of equal height. Place the first piece on a cake turntable and spread frosting evenly. Repeat with the next layers until the cake is covered with buttercream.
  2. Decorate as desired and top with salted caramel sauce.
https://theunlikelybaker.com/london-fog-cake/

(Recipe adapted from Layered and used with permission from the author).

Happy baking!

Did you make this London fog cake? Tell me about it in the comments section below. I’d love to hear all about it.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. This cake looks delicious, it reminds me of the Vinegar cakes my Grandma would make for birthdays. I wonder if this tastes similar. I’m going to have to try this one out and find out!

    Reply

    • Thanks Brian! Now vinegar cake is something I haven’t heard of. Interesting how cuisines cross over eh? 🙂 Hope you get to try this recipe! Would love to know how it compares to your grandma’s cake as well.

      Reply

  2. Hi, may I know the cake pan size??? Planning to bake for my SIL birthday. Only worry of the buttercream, I am no good in making buttercream. Thank you!

    Reply

    • Hi Vivi. Sorry to hear that. Two main reasons Swiss meringue buttercream becomes too runny – the butter is too soft and/or the meringue was still too warm when the butter was added. I’m a little confused though – this buttercream does not have icing sugar in it. Did you perhaps attempt a traditional American buttercream?

      Reply

  4. This looks absolutely incredible!! I love to drink London Fogs and I grew up drinking Earl Grey with my grandma so it’s one of my favourite things! I am definitely going to keep this recipe on hand!

    Reply

    • Hello Courtney! I love Earl Grey too so I was really excited about this cake. I’d love to hear how it goes, when you get the chance to give it a go. Happy Wednesday!

      Reply

    • Thanks very much Jennifer. So happy you guys don’t see the mess that is our kitchen when I’m baking lol! 🙂

      Reply

    • Sounds like a plan! You won’t be disappointed 🙂 Let me know how it goes! Thanks Janella. Happy Wednesday!

      Reply

  8. Wow, to say I’m intimidated by a cake that pretty would be an understatement! I think I’ll leave the baking to you…you have my mouth watering!

    Reply

    • To be honest, I was intimidated too lol! But I had to make it as a birthday promise. Happily it turned out ok phew! 🙂 Thanks Sheen!

      Reply

    • Thanks Christine! It’s certainly the most unique cake I’ve ever tasted 🙂 If you like Earl Grey tea you’ll love this cake. Oh and of course salted caramel makes everything lovely!

      Reply

    • Thanks very much! Let me know how that goes. And it’s really so ironic that I haven’t tried the drink yet…must fix that soon 🙂

      Reply

  12. This is literally perfect! The cake is so even and the lines are fantastic. Must have taken forever to decorate and ice! That caramel topping looks gorgeous. Mouth watering!

    Reply

    • Aw thank you so much! I did this cake over the course of two days because I’m just easy going like that haha 🙂 I crumb coated the cake first then did the final frosting. All in all I think the actual decorating took less than half an hour. I sort of gave up on having really sharp and smooth lines 🙂

      Reply

    • Thanks Ilona! The cake is very chocolatey and the buttercream is really something else 🙂 And the salted caramel….hope you get to try this out and let me know if the flavour combination works for you 🙂

      Reply

    • Hi Gennifer! If you love Earl Grey then you will absolutely love this cake (ironically, London fog the drink and the cake originated from British Columbia in Canada and not London. Strange eh?)

      Reply

    • Oh man, it’s a lot fancier than my usual cakes too! But the effort is worth it (and “effort” is really a stretch, it’s not that difficult I promise!). Hope you try it! Let me know how you like the flavour combo.

      Reply

  17. I love cakes and let me tell you that I love this one as well. Super clean and outstanding looking I am sure it’s tasty and awesome. I have a passion for cooking so I will try this here, I made one similar few months ago but not exactly like this one, thanks for sharing! Awesome.

    Reply

    • Ahhh cakes, what’s not to love? 🙂 I can eat it for breakfast lunch and dinner. Thanks Nicolas! Let me know how it goes. Happy Friday!

      Reply

    • Ikr? It’s so creative! We have Tessa Huff to thank for that 🙂 I didn’t know what to expect from this one but I’m really happy with the way everything came together. And yes, caramel is just frosting lol! Thanks Ali! Happy Friday!

      Reply

  19. What I love about this cake is that it looks beautiful before you cut it and after too! I have never baked with tea but I can’t imagine anything more delicious! My grandmother loves tea and I can see this making a delicious cake for her!

    Reply

    • Oh dear. That moment when you slice the cake is horrifying for me haha! I literally hold my breath until I see what’s inside 🙂 Thanks Amanda! This is my first time baking with tea and I don’t think it will be the last. Hope your grandma likes it! Would love to hear how that goes.

      Reply

  20. This cake looks and sounds wonderful. You are so lucky you win stuff because I don’t win anything. I’m waiting for my turn though! I always wondered what earl grey was like in cakes. Also, I think your decorating skills are great! Definitely going to check out that book!

    Reply

    • Do you like Earl Grey tea? This buttercream is Earl Grey overload. I love it 🙂 And yes, the book is awesome. Thanks April! Happy Friday!

      Reply

    • Me too! I would have never thought to put the two together though but they work so well 🙂 Thanks very much Sarah! Hope you get to try this cake. Happy Friday!

      Reply

  23. That can’t be tue – this cake has all the ngredients I love! I’m a huge fan of Earl Grey tea, chocolate, merenque and salted caramel. An I cannot refuse anything sweet. Even the name of the cake sounds so special and is related to to my favourite city London 🙂

    Reply

    • It is true yay! There’s really nothing not to like about this cake is there? 🙂 I can’t refuse anything sweet either. I always have to have something sweet after a meal else my brain won’t be convinced it’s full haha. Thanks Tiina! Happy Friday!

      Reply

    • LOL! Yes, cake is a very convincing word 🙂 The buttercream is very unique I agree. It’s certainly the most interesting one I’ve made and tried! Let me know how you like it 🙂 Thanks Natasha

      Reply

  27. I would love to be confident enough to be able to bake a cake for my daughter’s birthday or for my husband. You are an inspiration and this cake!

    Reply

    • That’s very kind of you to say Raquel 🙂 Thanks! I’m sure you daughter and/or husband will appreciate you making them a cake like this. Layer cakes are always a hit 🙂

      Reply

  29. This looks amazing! I often have trouble with cakes not rising very well but if there’s 3 layers i guess it’s not so much of a problem! Must try this, yum!

    Reply

    • Hi Hannah! If your cakes are not rising you should make sure your leavening agents like baking powder or soda are fresh. That should solve your “rising problem” 🙂 Hope this helps!

      Reply

    • Isn’t it? 🙂 Have you tried London fog, the drink, before? My hook was the buttercream. It’s fantastic 🙂

      Reply

  32. This sounds absolutely amazing! I adore London Fogs and have an Early Grey tea just about every day! Plus chocolate and salted caramel are amazing together as well. I’m definitely going to have to make this… good thing my birthday is coming up so I have an excuse to eat lots of cake!

    Nellwyn | http://www.thecardinalpress.com

    Reply

    • Hello Nellwyn! Ironically I haven’t had the London fog drink haha. I do love Earl Grey and I have a cup almost everyday too. The flavours on this cake is just awesome, it works together so well. We have Tessa Huff’s brilliance to thank for that! And advance happy birthday to you! Hope you have a wonderful birthday (and yes, lots and lots of cake!)

      Reply

  33. I love chocolate cake. I love Earl Grey Tea. I never thought of this as a dessert combination! Your pics make the cake look delicious. I think you did a great job! Pinned!

    Reply

    • Hi LaKisha! The combination is brilliant isn’t it? It’s a recipe from the Layered cookbook – it has all kinds of good stuff in there. And I mean GOOD STUFF 🙂 Thanks for pinning!

      Reply

    • Thank you very much! And to answer your question – with much difficulty lol! But seriously, I run a really sharp knife under hot water, wipe it down and very carefully cut. Maybe I say a little prayer while I cut. Maybe 🙂

      Reply

    • Thanks a lot Anne! That salted caramel really brings everything together. And really, salted caramel makes everything better eh? 🙂 Let me know how your cake experiment goes! Would love to hear all about it.

      Reply

    • Thanks very much Ahmed! I love cakes too 🙂 This combination is really unique, very interesting. Hope you get the chance to try the recipe 🙂

      Reply

    • Hi Mutange! Thank you! I did once upon a time think about selling them but the cost would come out to be very expensive compared to the cakes available around my area. Nobody would buy my cakes lol! So now I mostly bake for family and friends (free of charge too!) 🙂

      Reply

  41. Looks soo good!! I have never made layered cake. I cant wait to get my hands on that book.

    Reply

    • Hi Suchi! Thank you! It’s really an excellent cookbook. It’s pretty but also very informative. So not just for collecting but for actually using 🙂 I can’t wait to try other cakes on there.

      Reply

  43. Wow! What a cake! The picture from the book looks awesome, but yours looks even better!! I think your cake decorating skills are beautiful! As soon as I saw the pic I was wowed! What a lovely thing to do for somebody, make them a cake and not only make them a cake, but they get to pick out which one!! Lucky them! Could totally go for a piece (or 2) of this one right now!

    Reply

    • Aww shucks really? Thanks Dawn! I wanted to do the drippy thing but I was afraid my cake would look like a murder scene haha! And yeah, Red’s been really nice to me all these years so she totally deserves to pick her own cake. Though I must admit I ate a piece (or 2) of her cake too lol.

      Reply

  44. I love the flavor combinations here! This is definitely a combo I want to try.
    I know that you yourself are always really strict about your cake decorating skills, but honestly this is really beautiful! Your layers are so even. I always think that’s the hardest part- to make everything straight.
    Well done! 🙂

    Reply

    • Thanks a lot Natanja! I can be pretty hard on myself you’re right 🙂 But I still can’t do a really smooth clean finish on the sides. Work in progress I guess 🙂 This is a really unique combination isn’t it? I can honestly say I’ve never had anything quite like it 🙂

      Reply

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