Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9×9-inch baking pan.
- Grease the pan with unsalted butter and line with parchment paper.
Tea and Lavender Processing
- Pulse the Earl Grey tea and culinary lavender in a food processor until finely ground.
- Sift the mixture to separate finer blend from larger bits.
Mixing Dry Ingredients
- Whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sifted tea-lavender mixture in a bowl.
Creaming Butter and Sugar
- Cream softened butter and granulated sugar until pale and fluffy (3-5 minutes).
- Add beaten eggs and vanilla bean paste, mixing until smooth.
Combining Ingredients
- Gradually add dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, alternating with buttermilk, mixing until just combined.
Baking the Cake
- Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for 38-44 minutes.
- Check for doneness with a toothpick in the center.
Milk Soak Preparation
- Heat whole milk and add Earl Grey tea and lavender; steep for 15 minutes.
- Mix in sweetened condensed milk and a splash of vanilla once cooled.
Frosting Preparation
- Cream softened butter and cream cheese until smooth.
- Gradually add powdered sugar and mix until fluffy; incorporate lavender.
Soaking and Frosting the Cake
- Trim the cooled cake top with a serrated knife for flatness.
- Poke holes and slowly pour the milk soak over the cake.
- Frost generously with the lavender cream cheese frosting.
Nutrition
Notes
Ensure all wet ingredients are at room temperature, and measure flour correctly for best results.